Outdoor enthusiasts can volunteer with the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) for the Pendleton Island Beautification project.
NCC officials said this is a part of the Great Fundy Coastal Cleanup, a province-wide movement to eliminate marine debris throughout New Brunswick and along the shorelines of the Bay of Fundy.
Aaron Dowding, the stewardship manager for NCC in New Brunswick, said an old hunting cabin has been left to decay for years. To dismantle it, at least 14 volunteers are needed to venture into the woods.
“This year, we just decided to shift over to a slightly different focus on Pendleton cleaning up the cabin,” said Dowding.
“Generally we keep our nature reserve structure-free, and so once we’re finished here on Pendleton, this place will be largely for nature and people.”
Volunteers will meet on August 17 at the Deer Island ferry ramp at 9 a.m., hoping to finish by 3 p.m.
Dowding mentioned that participants must be capable of lifting and carrying multiple loads of heavy debris over rough terrain.
Volunteers are encouraged to come prepared with a fully packed lunch or snacks, plenty of water, work gloves, sturdy hiking boots, rain gear, bug spray and sunscreen. It is also a good idea to dress in layers, including long pants and a long-sleeved shirt.
NCC will supply all necessary tools and extra materials. You can register to volunteer on the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s website.
Pendleton Island is a 298-hectare nature reserve that remains uninhabited and is owned by NCC. This island is part of the Deer Island Archipelago, which acts as a natural barrier between Passamaquoddy Bay and the southwestern section of the Bay of Fundy.
In 1796, Thomas Pendleton acquired the land, leading to its name. For generations, the Pendleton family inhabited the island, establishing two homesteads, farming crops and raising cattle until roughly 1935.
After its abandonment, the island came under the collective ownership of about 150 descendants of the late Ward Pendleton, organized under the Ward Pendleton Family Association, along with one non-family member, Dr. Herb Mitton.
NCC undertook a genealogical study for Pendleton, successfully locating 114 of the 150 descendants who agreed to donate their shares to them. Mitton also contributed his interest, ensuring the island’s preservation in its natural state.
