Nature’s Got Our Back—Let’s Have Hers: A Road Trip Through New Brunswick

Let’s hit the road together; I’d like to invite you to join me on a short road trip through New Brunswick, exploring the amazing landscapes of our province. We’ll see the beauty of the coastline, forests, rivers, and wetlands that comprise this unique scenery, but we’ll also learn about the various sorts of ecosystems. New Brunswick has a lot to show us about the power of nature, and why it’s worth protecting.    

What Are Ecosystem Services? 

Before we get into our journey, let’s talk about something called Ecosystem Services. Don’t let the fancy term throw you off – it’s basically how nature works behind the scenes to keep life running smoothly. Nature offers us valuable gifts that bring unique benefits to our well-being and the planet’s health. Some of these are easy to notice, while others are less obvious, but it’s important to recognize them so we don’t take them for granted. 

Provisioning Services: These are essential goods that nature supplies, including food, water, and materials like wood. 

Regulating Services: Nature works to keep our world balanced and healthy in many ways. It helps control the weather, cleans the air we breathe, and manages how water moves around.  

Cultural Services: These are the non-material benefits we get from nature. Nature gives us places to explore, relax and play. It can inspire music and stories and holds meaning for traditions and spirituality that make us feel connected to the world around us. 

Supporting Services: These essential services work behind the scenes to facilitate other ecosystem functions, like pollination by bees, soil formation by microorganisms, and nutrient cycling that sustains plant growth. Though they’re often overlooked, they’re essential for the ecosystem’s health and the other services we rely on. 

Let the journey begin!

Now that we’ve got a quick understanding of the different types of services that ecosystems can provide us, let’s buckle up and explore New Brunswick’s natural landscape and uncover its superpowers!

Stop 1: The Bay of Fundy: Coastal Wonders

Our trip begins at the Bay of Fundy, where the world’s highest tides put on a spectacular show. But these tides do more than offer amazing views; they are a key part of regulating the Bay’s environment. As they rise and fall, they help flush out pollutants and maintain clean water, ensuring the ecosystem remains healthy. The ecosystems along the coast (tidal mudflats and salt marshes) act as sponges, absorbing excess water, preventing erosion, and protecting land from water damage. They are crucial for the locals and play a key role in combating climate change by storing carbon and regulating greenhouse gases. They also mitigate sea level rise impacts and provide habitat for various plant and animal species. Overall, these ecosystems are essential for the Bay’s people. Isn’t it crazy just how much they do for us that we don’t notice?

Beyond that, the tides are crucial for the local economy and food security. The Bay supports many fisheries and aquaculture industries, providing fish, shellfish, and other marine resources that ensure local livelihoods and contribute to food systems. You probably know someone in your circle who works in the fishing industry; they would tell you just how much everything depends on the health of the Bay. Without a healthy Bay, our local economies would suffer greatly.

The Bay is a biodiversity hotspot, offering diverse habitats for migratory birds, marine mammals, and countless species of fish, all of which depend on the Bay’s nutrient-rich waters. These waters support a thriving food web, fueling the growth of plankton, which in turn sustains fish populations and the species that rely on them. Beyond its ecological importance, the Bay also plays a role in industrial processes, supporting local economies through fishing, transportation, and manufacturing. As we travel across the region, we can notice how it holds deep cultural significance as well, inspiring stories, traditions, and a deep connection to the land and sea for both Indigenous communities and settlers. We’re only at the start of our trip, and it’s already becoming clear that protecting this vital ecosystem not only preserves its beauty but also benefits the health and well-being of all who rely on it, both humans and wildlife.    

Stop 2: Wabanaki-Acadian Forest: The Lungs of New Brunswick 

Next, we head to the Wabanaki-Acadian Forest which spans all across the province, a mix of hardwood and softwood trees. This forest is a powerhouse, storing carbon, cleaning the air, and providing a habitat for all kinds of wildlife. You might have heard of the Amazon forest being the lungs of the planet because of its impressive greenery, which offers not only a habitat for wildlife but also captures carbon dioxide, playing its part in reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In New Brunswick, we have our own: the Acadian Forest. It is an integral part of our ecosystems. As the trees and plants grow, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, which helps to combat climate change. The presence of trees also helps to reduce air pollution and provides shade which can help cool the atmosphere on warm days. But it’s not just about the trees. The forest floor is alive with mosses, mushrooms, and countless tiny life forms that play key roles in nutrient cycling. It’s a living, breathing system that works 24/7 to keep our environment healthy. This means that whenever we step into a forest, there are hundreds of organisms that work together in harmony to keep the environment around us thriving. How cool is that?

Forests play a crucial role in supporting biodiversity and maintaining the health of our planet. Forests are homes to a wide range of wildlife; the tree canopy of our province offers shelter for various species, including moose, deer, beavers, squirrels, and many birds. The forest also invites us; it’s a place for many outdoor activities, like hiking, camping, birdwatching, and many others! Walking among these trees feels like stepping into another world—one where nature reminds us how small (and lucky) we are to be a part of it. So next time you take a walk in the woods, remember that you are stepping into a complex and interconnected web of life that deserves our recognition and protection.

Stop 3: Freshwater Rivers and Wetlands: Nature’s Filters

Finally, as we pass by the Acadian Forest, we cross multiple rivers like the Petitcodiac River, the Oromocto River, and the Wolastoq (Saint John River) and its many tributaries. You’ll probably notice, most of the big cities in New Brunswick are situated along rivers; it’s not a coincidence! The waterways of the province are important for both ecological and human purposes. The presence of rivers not only provides natural beauty but also plays a crucial role in the economic development of the region. It has a significant economic impact. Rivers let us travel and export goods, as well as offer water for towns and irrigation for agriculture, which are all super important! These streams serve as a lifeline for both the ecology and the economy, demonstrating their importance to the region.

Let’s follow the Wolastoq River’s stream; if we pull over at one of the many riverside parks, we’ll see how these streams are also ideal for recreational activities. Whether it’s kayaking, fishing, or simply dipping your toes in, rivers connect us to nature in a very real way.  And outdoor hobbies like these are essential for us to keep a healthy lifestyle! Along the rivers also, we can find a variety of wildlife habitats and ecosystems that rely on the water for survival. If we stop and have a look, we’ll see a variety of birds, fish, and other animals that call the river home. Beyond its natural beauty, the river holds a deep cultural significance. For generations, it has been a place of gathering, storytelling, and sustenance for Indigenous communities and residents. The history of the Saint John River is written in the traditions, art, and practices that have been passed down through time, connecting people to their heritage and to each other.

As we continue upstream, we arrive at the Wolastoq wetlands. These wetlands play a critical role in filtering and cleaning the water while also acting as natural flood defenders. Imagine them as overlooked environmental heroes, quietly absorbing excess water to protect nearby areas from the effects of heavy rains. But their benefits don’t stop there. Like forests, wetlands are incredible carbon sinks incredible carbon sinks, with the unique ability to absorb even more carbon dioxide than the forests in our province. This incredible capacity is due to their intricate soil structure. They really deserve more recognition! 

The Power of Ecosystem Restoration

Here’s the deal: we all know how important ecosystems are for the health and wellbeing of our province, but some of them are struggling. Human activities like deforestation, pollution, and urban development have caused some serious harm over time. But here’s the exciting part: we can totally turn things around! Nature-based solutions, like restoring ecosystems, offer a real chance to make a difference. Nature-based solutions are all about teaming up with nature to tackle big issues like climate change. For instance, planting native trees in the right spots can help bring back wildlife, improve soil health, and even reduce flooding. Pretty awesome, right? 

And the best part? When we help nature, it helps us back! Planting trees, cleaning up rivers, or protecting wetlands doesn’t just help the environment; it creates stronger, healthier ecosystems for everyone, now and in the future.

How Can We Help Nature?

New Brunswick’s natural beauty is more than something to admire; it’s a vital part of our future. By taking action, you can help preserve the landscapes, ecosystems, and resources we all depend on. Ready to make a difference? Here’s how you can get involved:  

• Learn and explore! Take a deeper dive into the ecosystems around you. Go on hikes, visit nature reserves, or even just explore your own backyard. The more you understand about your environment, the more you’ll want to protect it.   

• Join the Climate Action Project—Science or Justice Focus: This hands-on program is your chance for your high school students to learn about the role of nature! Through conducting research and case studies, students tackle real issues in their school or community. 

• Get involved with EcoSchools : The EcoSchool program can help your students take climate action through projects such as tree-planting and conducting a community/school clean-up! EcoSchools is free to all publicly funded schools, providing teachers and students with a catalog of diverse climate actions that can easily be integrated into the classroom. The coolest part? Completing actions can earn your school the EcoSchools Certification!

Ending the Journey: Back on the Road 

Well, here we are at the end of our journey through New Brunswick’s amazing ecosystems. It’s pretty clear, isn’t it? Nature isn’t just something nice to look at, it’s what keeps everything running. From the peaceful forests to the coastlines, these places are full of life, connection, and so much that we depend on every day.

Taking care of these special places isn’t just about saving the planet; it’s about creating a future we can all thrive in. So, let’s keep the love for these natural wonders going and turn it into action. Every little effort makes a difference, and together, we can keep New Brunswick’s beauty alive for the generations that follow.

Author: Léane Journault, Programs Coordinator (Francophone), The Gaia Project 

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