Portobello Creek National Wildlife Area pamphlet

What makes Portobello Creek NWA so special?

Portobello Creek National Wildlife Area (NWA) is part of a large floodplain forest and wetland complex located east of Fredericton, New Brunswick. The creek meanders through large expanses of open marsh, shrub swamp, wooded swale and forest. The 2084-hectare NWA is one of the most productive habitats for waterfowl and other wildlife species in New Brunswick.

Established in 1995, the NWA:

• provides breeding habitat for waterfowl including cavity-nesting ducks such as Wood Duck and Common Goldeneye;
• is used by many other water birds such as Wilson’s Snipe, Pied-billed Grebe, Sora, American Bittern, Great Blue Heron and Common Tern;
• offers habitat for 25 species of mammals including Moose, White-tailed Deer and Black Bear;
• contributes to the Lower St. John River Important Bird Area;
• protects 37 provincially rare plant species.

What are Environment and Climate Change Canada Protected Areas?

Environment and Climate Change Canada establishes marine and terrestrial NWAs for the purposes of conservation, research and interpretation. NWAs are established to protect migratory birds, species at risk, and other wildlife and their habitats. NWAs are established under the authority of the Canada Wildlife Act and are, first and foremost, places for wildlife.

Migratory Bird Sanctuaries (MBSs) are established under the authority of the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, and provide a refuge for migratory birds in marine and terrestrial environments. The current Protected Areas Network consists of 54 NWAs and 92 MBSs comprising more than 12 million hectares across Canada.

What can I do at Portobello Creek NWA?

Access to Portobello Creek NWA is permitted for activities such as wildlife observation, canoeing, hiking, skiing and berry picking. Fishing, hunting and trapping are also permitted but subject to provincial and federal regulations. All vehicles are restricted to designated access roads, and all-terrain vehicles are prohibited. Small water craft are restricted to outboard motors no larger than 9.9 horsepower. Tenting, camping and fires within the NWA are prohibited.