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This addition to the conserved area complex at Point DeRoche is 200 acres of ecologically significant dunes, wetlands, and forest. It expands on Natural Areas owned by Island Nature Trust, the Province of Prince Edward Island, and the Nature Conservancy of Canada. This region is significant to Island Nature Trust and holds deep historical, cultural, and ecological importance.

Natural Area Map (Work in Progress)

Acquisition and Legal Status

This property was purchased in 2025 from the McCormack Family who owned the land since the 1790s. This acquisition was made possible thanks to funding from:

• The MapleCross Foundation
• The ECHO Foundation
• The Government of Prince Edward Island
• The Government of Canada

The MapleCross – DeRoche Pond Natural Area is currently in the process of being protected under the PEI Natural Areas Protection Act.

Funding for this acquisition was provided by Environment and Climate Change Canada through the Forested Landscape Priority Place under the Pan-Canadian approach to transforming Species at Risk conservation in Canada.

Landscape Context

This new parcel is one of many conserved lands at Point DeRoche. Over 1,600 acres of land has been protected in the region by Island Nature Trust, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, and the Government of Prince Edward Island.

Ecological Description

This parcel contains the easternmost end of the Point DeRoche Pond, a large freshwater pond just south of the Blooming Point beach as well as several tributaries of the DeRoche Pond River. The half of the parcel, which is north of Point DeRoche Road, is characterized by dune, back dune wetlands, the DeRoche Pond, and a serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) – red maple (Acer rubrum) – white spruce (Picea glauca) – white birch (Betula papryifera) forest. The southern half of the proeprty contains a shrubby bog that is dominated by red spruce (Picea rubens), tamarack (Laxir laricina), common winterberry (Ilex verticillata), leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata), chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), and rhodora (Rhododendron canadense). The southern forest is characterized by early successional species such as red maple, white birch, and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides). The southern tributary of the DeRoche Pond River has expanded into an open-water pond due to the long-term effects of North American beaver (Castor canadensis) activity.

A habitat suitability model created by the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre habitat suggests that the ecosystems present on this property support the Canada warbler (Cardellina canadensis), a federally listed species at risk in 2025.

Access

This property can be accessed via Point DeRoche Road on the north and south, as well as by water (DeRoche Pond) and along the coast (Blooming Point Beach). There are no trails located on this property, and those visiting should be familiar with bushwhacking and have orienteering supports such as a GPS.

For more information on access to our natural areas, please contact our Land Stewardship Team.

This addition to the the Farmington Woodlands Natural Area is a 58.5-acre parcel located in Kings County, Prince Edward Island. The property contains forests dominated by balsam fir, red maple, red pine, white pine, larch and cedar. The eastern portion of the property is bisected by a waterway feeding into the Fortune and Naufrage rivers. The acquisition of this parcel further protects this region of the Island and the Fortune River complex, with the greater Natural Area being 374 acres.

Natural Area Map

Acquisition and Legal Status

This property was split-receipt donation from George Mason and family in March of 2024, where a portion of the land’s value was purchased, and the remainder donated.

George studied Resource and Wildlife Management before shifting to a career as a Professional Accountant. He has remained devoted to conservation on PEI, including on his forested properties in Kings County. George has been INT’s Treasurer on its Board of Directors since 2021, and has also volunteered with the Canadian Wildlife Federation, World Wildlife Fund, and the Trans Canada Trail.

After my son moved to Ontario, I realized he wouldn’t be returning to manage the land. Rather than selling it, I wanted to ensure it remained accessible and protected

George Mason, donor

Funding for this acquisition was provided by Environment and Climate Change Canada through the Forested Landscape Priority Place under the Pan-Canadian approach to transforming Species at Risk conservation in Canada.

This partial donation of land was made possible thanks to the Government of Canada’s Ecological Gift Program. This Program provides a way for Canadians with ecologically sensitive land to protect nature and leave a legacy for future generations. Made possible by the terms of the Income Tax Act of Canada and the Quebec Taxation Act, it offers significant tax benefits to landowners who donate land or a partial interest in land to a qualified recipient. Recipients ensure that the land’s biodiversity and environmental heritage are conserved in perpetuity. LEARN MORE

Landscape Context

This parcel of Farmington Woodlands Natural Area is located east of Farmington, near the pre-existing parcels that comprise the Farmington Woodlands Natural Area complex. The acquisition of this property expands on the connectivity of INT and Provincial protected areas throughout the area, specifically extending the protection of waterways associated with the Fortune and Naufrage Rivers. This new acquisition connects the bisected waterway to the east with a large wetland complex owned by Ducks Unlimited.

Ecological Description

This property has a history of agriculture and forestry, as much of the Island does, but contains desirable tree species including eastern white cedar, sugar maple, red pine, white pine, American beech, and yellow birch. The riparian forest is more mature and contains larger, seed producing trees. Also along the river is a freshwater marsh containing alders, yellow marsh marigold, and other hydrophytic vegetation.

Access

This parcel of Farmington Woodlands Natural Area is accessible by PEI Route 2 to the west and Klondyke Road that runs along the northern and southern boundaries. Klondyke Road is a seasonal, dirt road. This property can be accessed at your own risk. No campfires or overnight camping are allowed on Island Nature Trust Natural Areas.

For more information on access to our natural areas, please contact our Land Stewardship Team.

Owls’ Haven: the Bowden Kusters Natural Area is a 100-acre mature forest dominated by hardwood and cedar, located in Alaska, Prince County, Prince Edward Island. This natural area boasts a rich variety of ecosystems, including mature hardwood stands, upland cedar forest, and an expansive open marsh displaying evidence of long-term beaver activity. Due to the threat of timber harvest in this region, the donation of this property represents a crucial addition to the protected lands on PEI.

Natural Area Map

Acquisition and Legal Status

Owls’ Haven: the Bowden Kusters Natural Area was purchased by Island Nature Trust in February 2024 thanks to a generous donation from Marie-Ann Bowden in memory of her husband, Peter, an entomologist and forester.

The acquisition of Owls’ Haven offered me and my daughters, Bryn and Sydney, the opportunity to honour  Pete’s memory by protecting a forest property that he too would have treasured and enjoyed.

Marie-Ann Bowden, donor

Marie-Ann, who has been a member of INT’s Board of Directors since 2020, is a dedicated environmental advocate who taught and researched environmental, property, and water law at the University of Saskatchewan. She is also an active member with the Upton Farm Trust and the Coalition for the Protection of PEI Water.

Marie-Ann and INT staff visited the property in the spring of 2024 to conduct a biological inventory and were happily surprised to see a barred owl roosting in a red spruce. This gave the property its name, Owls’ Haven.

This property and its natural landscapes will be conserved forever under the PEI Natural Ares Protection Act.

Landscape Context

Owls’ Haven: the Bowden Kusters Natural Area is situated amongst a contiguous forest block south of Coleman, PEI. The property expands on a network of Crown land and protected areas in the region. The Provincial and Ducks Unlimited Portage Wildlife Management Area and Acadian Marshes Natural Area are positioned roughly 4 kilometers east of this property and Island Nature Trust’s Alaska Forest Natural Area and Acadian Marshes – Percival River Salt Marsh Natural Area are situated approximately 2.5 kilometers south.

Ecological Description

While this property has been impacted by timber harvesting in the past, most of the forest was left to mature and naturalize. Canopy species include sugar maple, red maple, red spruce, yellow birch, as well as the provincially rare American beech, white elm, white ash, black ash, and eastern white cedar. The property also hosts a rich forest floor with numerous wildflowers, ferns, and shrubs, including the uncommon showy lady’s slipper, swamp red currant, alder-leaved buckthorn, and cucumber root. The forest structure contains ideal habitat for the federally at-risk Canada warbler, eastern wood pewee, little brown bat, and northern long-eared bat.

Roadside beaver activity has created a large freshwater marsh with open water sections on the property.

Access

Owls’ Haven: the Bowden Kusters Natural Area is situated off the Terry Boylan Road, which is a dirt road and only accessible at certain times of the year. This property is roadside and can be accessed at your own risk. The Alaska – Derby region is fairly undeveloped, and it is recommended that visitors have two navigation devices on them. No hunting, campfires, or overnight camping are allowed the property.

For more information on access to our natural areas, please contact our Land Stewardship Team.