A lake in southwestern New Brunswick has been recognized as a nationally important site for nature.

Lake Utopia was recently named a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Canada.

It is all thanks to the lake’s unique pair of rainbow smelt, which are endemic to Canada and not found anywhere else in the world.

Society officials said the area surrounding the lake also contains a high diversity of plants that are rare in the province.

“KBAs give global and national recognition to sites across the country that are critical for stopping biodiversity loss,” said Ciara Raudsepp-Hearne, KBA Canada director with WCS Canada.

“We hope that bringing attention to Lake Utopia will add support to the ongoing work of people in the province to monitor and steward vulnerable biodiversity.”

Lake Utopia is one of nine Key Biodiversity Areas located throughout New Brunswick.