Celebrate Earth Day with CPAWS NB! Join us at the Dorchester Veterans Center and learn more about marine conservation efforts in the Bay of Fundy.
Learn about why the Bay of Fundy is so important, what needs to be protected, and how you can be involved!
All ages welcome, light snacks will be available.
On March 17, 2026, the provincial government released details of its upcoming annual budget. One item that catches our eye is that “the operation of provincially owned heritage properties with fewer than 5,000 visitors will be transferred to community partners or closed, in collaboration with our stakeholders.” (https://www.gnb.ca/en/gov/budget.html) As a result, a number of small local museums will not be opened this year. Also included on this list is the North Lake Provincial Park.
In a memo released to the media, the government confirmed the closure of the park and stated that four other provincial parks will remain open while the government moves to find private organizations or community partners to take them over. These parks are Val-Comeau in Tracadie, Anchorage on Grand Manan, Oak Bay near St. Stephen, and Cape Enrage.
This idea of having our parks run by private interests can be an issue for a couple of reasons. First, this has been tried in the past with parks in New Brunswick, and in most cases the government ultimately had to take back control of the sites. Simply having different people run these parks is no guarantee for success.
Second, this decision appears to be based on how much money these parks make, which should not be the sole factor in making these decisions. Our provincial parks help protect nature and provide all visitors a chance to experience stress-relief, outdoor recreation and connection to the nature of New Brunswick. They are destinations that help attract tourists to rural communities. The “visitor rates” only count those people who rent campsites. What is not counted are the local citizens and daytrippers who stop at the park for an hour or three to enjoy a little nature and may also visit the nearby community for food or supplies.
Finally, by making decisions that appear to prioritize monetizing our parks, we run the risk of more development in them to encourage people to stay overnight. This development could potentially jeopardize the natural areas within the parks, removing what makes these areas important destinations in the first place.
Those natural areas have added benefits to communities. They help absorb floodwaters or storm surges, they help keep the local areas cool during heat waves, and they help recharge the groundwaters that fill local wells. And several of these parks are part of significant wildlife habitats and corridors.
As this discussion moves forward, CPAWS NB will work with governments and decision-makers to try to ensure that the best choices are made for New Brunswick’s nature and communities.
Position Type: Full time summer position, 8-12 weeks dependant on funding.
35 hours per week, with some weekends and evenings.
Hourly wage: $16.00 / hour
Location: Fredericton, with travel in New Brunswick.
Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and applicants are encouraged to apply early.
Start date: June 2026
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – New Brunswick Chapter (CPAWS NB) is the provincial branch of a national conservation organization. We are dedicated to the long-term protection of the province’s public lands, freshwaters, and ocean surrounding NB, and work to ensure that nature comes first in parks management in the province. CPAWS NB is looking for an enthusiastic young leader, with a passion for nature and the ability to work as a key part of our environmental organization’s team this summer.
Responsibilities
The Summer Conservation Assistant will:
Required Qualifications are:
TO APPLY
Please indicate in your cover letter how you meet these qualifications and why you think you would be a good fit for this position at CPAWS NB. Send your résumé and cover letter in ONE FILE to dhak@cpaws.org.
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – New Brunswick Chapter (CPAWS NB) has submitted recommendations to the provincial government urging it to treat nature protection as essential public infrastructure in the upcoming budget.
“Forests, wetlands, watersheds and coastal ecosystems protect communities from flooding, store carbon, support jobs, and reduce long-term public costs,” said Roberta Clowater, Executive Director of CPAWS NB. “Investing in nature is one of the most cost-effective ways the province can strengthen climate resilience and economic stability.”
The submission notes that protected areas across Canada contribute $10.9 billion to GDP and support 150,000 jobs, while in New Brunswick parks and protected areas contribute $207 million to the economy and support about 5,000 jobs.
CPAWS NB is recommending that the province:
“Nature protection isn’t just about conservation – it’s about protecting communities, strengthening the economy, and reducing long-term public liabilities,” said Clowater.
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – New Brunswick Chapter (CPAWS NB) has submitted recommendations to the provincial government calling for a modernized Clean Water Act that reflects the realities of climate change, biodiversity loss, and growing pressures on the province’s watersheds.
“Protecting nature is protecting water,” said Roberta Clowater, Executive Director of CPAWS NB. “The wetlands, forests, rivers and peatlands that shape New Brunswick’s landscape are the foundation of clean drinking water, climate resilience, and healthy communities.”
In its submission, CPAWS NB urges the province to strengthen protections for wetlands and peatlands, implement watershed-based planning across the province, align the Clean Water Act with other conservation laws, and establish stronger safeguards for coastal ecosystems facing increasing climate risks.
The organization also recommends greater transparency and monitoring of water quality and watershed health, as well as stronger alignment between water protection and New Brunswick’s conservation and climate commitments.
“Modernizing the Clean Water Act is a critical opportunity to ensure that water protection, nature conservation, and climate resilience move forward together,” Clowater said. “Healthy watersheds are natural infrastructure that protect communities, support biodiversity, and secure drinking water for generations to come.”
Join CPAWS NB and the Restigouche Naturalists Club in Campbellton at the Campbellton Centennial Library to explore how strong forest and river protection helps keep your community healthy, safe, and thriving.
In New Brunswick we have a rare opportunity right now – the provincial government has promised to increase protected areas to reach 15% of the province! With this opportunity, we can work together to protect the forests, rivers, and wild spaces you love as a part of that promise
Date & Time: November 27th from 6-7:30pm
Location: Campbellton Centennial Library
This will be a bilingual presentation and light refreshments will be served. All are welcome!
Rejoignez la SNAP N.-B. et le Club des naturalistes du Restigouche à Campbellton, à la Bibliothèque du centenaire de Campbellton, pour découvrir comment une protection forte des forêts et des rivières contribue à la santé, à la sécurité et à la prospérité de votre communauté.
Au Nouveau-Brunswick, nous avons actuellement une occasion rare : le gouvernement provincial a promis d’augmenter les zones protégées pour atteindre 15 % de la province ! Grâce à cette opportunité, nous pouvons travailler ensemble pour protéger les forêts, les rivières et les espaces sauvages que vous aimez dans le cadre de cette promesse.
Date et l’heure : 27 novembre de 18h à 19h30
Lieu : Bibliothèque centenaire de Campbellton
Il s’agira d’une présentation bilingue, et des rafraîchissements légers seront servis. Tout le monde est le bienvenu !
CPAWS NB invites you to our Thanks to Nature event on Thanksgiving Saturday, at Mactaquac Provincial Park! Join us to spend time outside, enjoy the beautiful fall colours, and say thank you to nature.
Please register for this event here: https://thanks-to-nature-2025.eventbrite.ca/
What is Thanks to Nature?
Thanks to Nature is an opportunity to celebrate nature and give thanks for all it provides us. Whether you are thankful for nature’s resources, the beauty of the forest, or the health benefits it provides, join us for Thanks to Nature to share gratitude and be a part of a new holiday tradition.
This event includes a self-guided nature walk with on-trail interpretation and activity stations. Our CPAWS staff and volunteers will be on trail with answers to your questions about nature, offer opportunities for reflection, and a chance to slow down and appreciate the beautiful nature around you.
Participants are welcome to join anytime between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM and can walk along the trail at your own pace. The selected trail is an accessible route that is approximately 1.3 kilometers long and perfect for all outdoor experience levels. A Hippocampe all-terrain wheelchair can be requested for use.
What should I bring?
Please come prepared with water and sturdy shoes to walk in. Dress accordingly to the weather on the day.
Is the event free?
Yes, our event is free for participants. There will be refreshments available on the trail. Participants will be entered to win exciting prizes.
La SNAP N.-B. vous invite à notre évènement Grâce à la nature le samedi de l’Action de grâce, au parc provincial Mactaquac ! Venez passer du temps dehors avec nous, apprécier les magnifiques couleurs de l’automne et dire merci à la nature.
Veuillez-vous inscrire à l’événement ici : https://thanks-to-nature-2025.eventbrite.ca/
Qu’est-ce que Grâce à la nature ?
Grâce à la nature est l’occasion de célébrer la nature et de la remercier pour tout ce qu’elle nous offre. Que vous soyez reconnaissant pour les ressources naturelles, la beauté de la forêt ou les bienfaits qu’elle apporte à la santé, rejoignez-nous pour Grâce à la nature afin de partager votre gratitude et de prendre part à une nouvelle tradition festive.
Cet évènement comprend une randonnée naturelle autoguidée avec des stations d’interprétation et d’activités le long du sentier. Notre personnel et nos bénévoles de la SNAP seront présents tout au long du sentier pour répondre à vos questions sur la nature, vous offrir des occasions de réflexion et vous permettre de ralentir et d’apprécier la beauté du monde naturel qui vous entoure.
Les participants sont les bienvenus entre 11 h et 14 h et peuvent parcourir le sentier à leur rythme. Le sentier sélectionné est un parcours accessible d’environ 1,3 kilomètre, idéal pour tous les niveaux d’expérience en plein air. Il est possible de demander un fauteuil roulant tout-terrain Hippocampe.
Que dois-je apporter ?
Veuillez-vous préparer en apportant de l’eau et des chaussures robustes pour marcher. Habillez-vous en fonction de la météo du jour.
L’évènement est-il gratuit ?
Oui, notre évènement est gratuit pour les participants. Des rafraîchissements seront disponibles sur le sentier. Les participants seront inscrits pour gagner des prix amusants.
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – New Brunswick Chapter (CPAWS NB) has submitted comments to the Federal Impact Assessment Agency opposing the proposed Centre Village natural gas plant in Tantramar, due to its location in a critical wildlife corridor.
“The Chignecto Isthmus is one of the most important ecological corridors in Atlantic Canada,” said Melanie Jellett, Conservation Manager with CPAWS NB. “Placing a fossil-fuel power plant in the middle of this migratory route risks further fragmenting important wildlife habitat, harming wetlands, and threatening the species at risk that rely on this landscape.”
CPAWS-NB’s submission highlights risks to migratory birds along the Atlantic Flyway, nearby wetlands and waterways connected to the Tantramar River watershed, and species of conservation concern including the Common Nighthawk, Rusty Blackbird, and Olive-sided Flycatcher.
The organization is urging the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada to reject the proposal as currently planned and to apply a precautionary approach to development in this globally significant ecological corridor.
“At a time when Canada must reduce emissions and halt biodiversity loss, building new fossil-fuel infrastructure in such a sensitive ecological area moves us in the wrong direction,” Jellett said.
Join the CPAWS NB Get Outside team at Mactaquac Provincial Park on Wednesday, July 23 4-6 PM for a nature walk and critter dipping!
Our staff will lead a guided nature walk around the Beaver Pond Trail, where participants can experience nature in a comfortable way while learning more about the plants & animals that call the park home. The critter dipping activity allows participants to get up close with the wildlife of the pond.
We are looking forward to seeing you at the Beaver Pond!
—
Rejoignez l’équipe de la SNAP N.-B. au parc provincial Mactaquac le 23 juillet, de 16 h à 18 h, pour une promenade en nature et une activité de trempage de bestioles !
Inscrivez-vous ici pour cet événement
Notre équipe mènera une promenade guidée autour du sentier de l’étang des castors. Les participants peuvent découvrir la nature d’une façon confortable et en apprendre plus sur les plantes et les animaux qui vivent dans le parc. Pendant l’activité de trempage des bestioles, les participants chercheront la faune et la flore de l’étang.
Nous avons hâte de vous retrouver à l’étang des castors !
CPAWS New Brunswick is excited to welcome two new additions to our staff! We are excited to share Laura MacKinnon has taken on the role of Conservation Engagement Assistant as a full-time staff member. Sarah Sheppard will be our Summer Conservation Assistant before heading back to school in the fall.
Get to know Sarah and Laura more below!
Sarah- Hi everyone! My name is Sarah Sheppard, and I am from St. Stephen, New Brunswick. I am so excited to work with CPAWS NB this summer! I finished my Bachelor of Science in Biology-Chemistry at the University of New Brunswick this spring and I will be attending Dalhousie Medical School this fall. I have a strong passion for community outreach & education. My experience with science outreach led me to purse a position where I can help spread knowledge about nature and conservation in New Brunswick. Aside from work and school, I also enjoy gardening, biking, hiking, and enjoying time with my two cats.
Laura- My name is Laura MacKinnon, and I’m so excited to be joining the CPAWS NB team! I was born and raised in Fredericton, New Brunswick and have been so lucky to experience all the natural beauty the province has to offer throughout my life. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a concentration in Wildlife, Ecology, and Conservation. I have a strong passion for wildlife with a special interest in Ethology (the study of animal behavior). I have recently become a bird enthusiast, so in my spare time I love to explore New Brunswick while adding new birds to my life list!
What first sparked your interest in the environment?
Sarah- Growing up in rural New Brunswick near the Southern coast, I was always surrounded by nature, and the Bay of Fundy was only a short drive away. My favourite memories growing up were learning all about the plants and animals of New Brunswick and how we can respect them while enjoying the land and water. I feel privileged to have been able to experience a dynamic perspective on both the forests and oceans of New Brunswick. Being able to experience nature during my youth created a lifelong interest in the environment and a need to conserve these areas for the future generations.
Laura- My interest in the environment started at a young age, sparked by sightings of wildlife during trips on the Fundy Rose Ferry across the Bay of Fundy. Over time, my interest in marine wildlife grew into an appreciation for all aspects of nature. It was during my undergraduate studies that I particularly became interested in conservation and environmental work. I wish I could say conservation and environmental stewardship have been lifelong passions of mine, but I’ve come to learn it’s never too late to be curious, get outside, and start making a meaningful impact.
What are your favourite ways to enjoy nature in New Brunswick?
Sarah- I am grateful to live in such a beautiful province, so I like to enjoy nature in as many ways as possible. I enjoy hiking all year round on the local trails in my area. Over the summer, I love to travel to the different parks around the Maritimes to hike new trails. When the weather is nice, I also enjoy biking with friends on the outskirts of our city. Biking allows me to get further out of the city on a daily basis, while also being able to slow down and experience nature.
Laura- One of the ways I love to enjoy nature is by going for walks at local parks and hiking various trails around the province. I particularly enjoy birdwatching, as it allows me to slow down and take in all aspects of nature! I really enjoy photography as well, so I love to bring my camera with me for these adventures in hopes of capturing some photos of wildlife. I really love camping and look forward to exploring more of New Brunswick every summer by planning camping trips.
What part of working for CPAWS NB are you most looking forward to?
Sarah- I am most excited to work on the Get Outside program. I am looking forward to inspiring folks interested in protecting nature, by sharing about New Brunswick’s natural areas and what they have to offer. I believe the program is important to teach residents and visitors of New Brunswick how to enjoy nature while also taking care of it. I hope that I can help people take action to protect nature by encouraging them to get outside!
Laura- I am most looking forward to learning from the amazing CPAWS NB staff who have been dedicated to conservation work for many years. I’m also looking forward to being a part of campaign work to protect the wilderness we all love and need. Another highlight for me is supporting the Get Outside! NB program in parks, where I hope to help foster meaningful connections to nature with people of all ages. I’m thrilled to be involved in the conservation efforts happening here in New Brunswick and hope to share my enthusiasm for our work with others.
Laura and Sarah are so excited to get to work on Get Outside! NB events and other projects. Keep an eye out for the CPAWS NB team at your local parks this summer. We cannot wait for you to Get Outside with us!
