Ecology - The Fundy Escarpment

The Fundy Trail is a multi-use corridor hugging the clifftops of the Bay of Fundy coast, with foot paths, pedestrian/bicycle trails and an auto parkway. Carved out of the Fundy Escarpment - one of the last remaining coastal wilderness areas between Florida and Labrador - this first eleven-kilometre phase of the Fundy Trail begins just outside St. Martins, less than an hour's drive east of Saint John and south of Sussex/ Moncton, New Brunswick.

The Fundy Escarpment is a two-kilometre wide corridor (one kilometre of land and one kilometre into the Bay of Fundy) stretching from Fownes Beach in St. Martins to the western boundary of Fundy National Park. The one kilometre width is considered essential because most of the ecosystem dynamics of the Bay of Fundy exist within this area, including nutrient rich salt marshes, tidal flats and the dramatic Fundy tides. The Bay of Fundy is the breeding habitat for Right Whales and is one of the best natural marine and terrestrial observation areas in the world. The corridor offers abundant natural habitat for flora and fauna, offering many species of native plants as well as 250-year-old trees. Moose and other animal sightings are not unusual.

A full Environmental Impact Assessment of the Fundy Escarpment and the Fundy Trail assures maximum appreciation of the phenomenal natural resources of the area while minimizing environmental intrusions and impact.

The Fundy Trail is currently cooperating with a group composed of Fisheries & Oceans Canada, Environment Canada, New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources & Energy, the Atlantic Salmon Federation and the Big Salmon River Angling Association who have undertaken a study to monitor water quality and fish counts in the Big Salmon River.