Moncton Conserves Nearly 3,800 Hectares Through OECM Recognition

By Fundy Biosphere Region

Nearly 3,800 hectares of forests, wetlands, waterways and other natural areas owned and managed by the City of Moncton have been formally recognized for their long-term contribution to biodiversity conservation.

The recognition of approximately 3,768 hectares across Irishtown Nature Park, Mapleton Park, the Turtle Creek Watershed, Humphreys Brook Trail and Wilson Marsh is a major conservation milestone — and the culmination of several years of work initiated by Fundy Biosphere Region in partnership with the City of Moncton and the Province of New Brunswick.

These lands are now recognized as Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures, or OECMs, contributing to Canada’s network of protected and conserved areas and to the national goal of conserving 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030.

For residents, many are familiar places to walk, learn and spend time outdoors. They also protect forests, wetlands, wildlife habitat and waterways. Turtle Creek plays an especially important role in helping protect the drinking-water supply serving Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview.

Recognition That Had to Be Earned

OECM recognition is more than a new label on a map.

Unlike a traditional protected area, an OECM may serve several purposes while still achieving effective, long-term conservation of biodiversity. Recognition requires evidence that the way the land is governed and managed will continue to protect its ecological values into the future.

Over several years, Fundy Biosphere Region worked with City staff and the Province of New Brunswick to assess candidate lands individually. That meant reviewing ecological information, management plans, land-use policies and existing protections; mapping boundaries; identifying potential threats or gaps; and determining whether each area met the criteria for recognition.

Not every municipal natural area automatically qualifies. The process is intentionally rigorous because OECM recognition is meant to represent real and lasting conservation.

The five areas recognized in Moncton demonstrate how municipal lands can contribute to conservation in different ways — from protecting Acadian forest, wetlands and wildlife habitat to safeguarding drinking water, supporting research and monitoring, and providing opportunities for low-impact recreation.

From an Opportunity to Nearly 3,800 Hectares Conserved

Fundy Biosphere Region first brought the opportunity for OECM recognition to the City of Moncton, identifying City-owned and managed lands with the potential to make a significant contribution to biodiversity conservation.

From there, we worked alongside the City and Province to move those areas from initial assessment through to formal recognition.

Our role included interpreting and applying OECM criteria, reviewing ecological and management information, examining policies and protections, helping delineate candidate areas, identifying where additional measures were needed, and coordinating across municipal, provincial and federal partners.

The result is one of the largest municipal OECM initiatives in New Brunswick, with approximately 3,768 hectares of City of Moncton-owned and managed land now formally contributing to Canada’s conservation network.

Environment and Climate Change Canada funded Fundy Biosphere Region’s work, providing the capacity to take this opportunity from an initial idea through assessment, collaboration and ultimately recognition.

“Moncton is showing what it means to think about conservation as part of a community’s long-term legacy,” said Jennifer Dingman, Executive Director of Fundy Biosphere Region. “We’re proud to have brought this opportunity forward and to have worked alongside the City and Province to turn it into a significant conservation achievement. Nearly 3,800 hectares is a substantial contribution, and we hope it encourages other municipalities to look at what may be possible within the lands they own and manage.”

Local Conservation, Lasting Impact

Canada’s conservation goals depend in part on decisions made by communities and municipalities.

Cities own and manage forests, watersheds, wetlands, parks and other natural areas that may already be producing important conservation outcomes. The OECM process provides a way to identify those places, demonstrate that their conservation value is being maintained over the long term, and formally recognize their contribution.

Federal Environment, Climate Change and Nature Minister Julie Dabrusin highlighted the importance of partnerships like these in advancing Canada’s goal of conserving 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030. Secretary of State for Nature Nathalie Provost also recognized Fundy Biosphere Region’s role in guiding the Moncton work and strengthening the City’s conservation efforts.

For Moncton, this recognition is both an achievement and a commitment. Nearly 3,800 hectares of municipally owned and managed land are now formally part of Canada’s conservation landscape, with an expectation that the stewardship, planning and management that made recognition possible will continue into the future.

Fundy Biosphere Region congratulates the City of Moncton and recognizes the contributions of City staff, the Province of New Brunswick and Environment and Climate Change Canada in reaching this milestone.

Moncton’s achievement also provides a model for other communities: identify the natural places already delivering conservation outcomes, strengthen their long-term stewardship where needed, and turn local action into lasting conservation.

Read the City of Moncton’s full announcement here!