GRAND BAY-WESTFIELD (GNB) – The former site of an addiction treatment centre in Grand Bay-Westfield has been turned over to the Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development for conservation.
The 167-hectare Lonewater Farm facility closed in 2020 and moved its programming to the Ridgewood Addiction Services facility in Saint John.
“This property is considered to be an area with high conservation value, and protecting it will be a huge asset to the local community and the province,” said Natural Resources and Energy Development Minister Mike Holland. “Conservation is also helping to ensure our landscape is resilient to climate change, and that future generations will be able to experience the beautiful natural areas that we have today.”
The surrounding area is home to nature preserves managed by conservation partners, including the Nature Conservancy of Canada and Ducks Unlimited.
“The Town of Grand Bay-Westfield is pleased that Lonewater Farm has been set aside for conservation and environmentally friendly recreation and education – for our residents and all New Brunswickers,” said Mayor Brittany Merrifield. “We are looking forward to working with the province to ensure that this well-beloved natural space in our community, with its unique and abundant biodiversity, will be protected for this and future generations.”
“With mature and diverse forests, and shoreline and wetlands at the mouth of the beautiful Nerepis River, the Lonewater Farm property is an incredibly rich place for wildlife with several rare and at-risk species,” said Paula Noel, program director with the Nature Conservancy of Canada. “This expands on existing conservation lands, including the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Sunset Valley Nature Reserve. We are pleased with the decision to conserve this important area for nature and people.”
“Ducks Unlimited Canada appreciates the province’s acquisition of this impressive property in an area that we are also committed to conserving,” said Adam Campbell, the organization’s manager of provincial operations. “Since 1988, Ducks Unlimited Canada has collaborated with private landowners and conservation partners to protect and restore over 256 hectares of land in the area. Protecting the Lonewater property complements existing conservation efforts and guarantees the long-term sustainability of these diverse lands, including critical wetlands.”
The government announced in 2022 it had achieved its goal of protecting 10 per cent of the province’s land and freshwater for future generations, doubling New Brunswick’s protected areas. It has also increased the amount of Crown forest designated for wildlife and biodiversity conservation to 30 per cent.
The department will consult with partners to develop a plan for the stewardship and restoration of the site while considering recreational and educational opportunities for the local community.
