A guide to exploring the forests we care for
We are very pleased to welcome you to the forests that we care for. Whether you love hiking, birding, paddling, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, our forests are open for you to enjoy low-impact recreational activities. While we don’t currently maintain public trails, some of our forests have rustic paths and woods roads, while others are wilder and do not feature any marked routes. A map of our forests with suggested trails and guidelines will be added to this page shortly. If you are part of a community group interested in trail access or use, please reach out – we would love to chat and help you plan your adventure.
Indigenous Access and Exercise of Treaty Rights
The forests that we care for are on the lands of the Wolastoqey, Mi’gmaq, and Peskotomuhkati Nations, and are part of the unceded and unsurrendered territories of these Wabanaki nations. Community Forests wants to ensure that these lands are open and available for local First Nations to use and access – including for harvesting of medicines for personal uses and access to sites of cultural importance. Conservation, although well-intentioned, has too often prevented Indigenous communities from enjoying their rights and cultural connection to forests, and we recognize that the means through which some of these lands have been conserved may limit the full exercise of treaty rights. As we try to make these lands fully accessible, please reach out to us if you have any questions about what activities can take place on these conservation lands. Community Forests is trying to do better to respect the Peace and Friendship Treaties by making our lands as accessible as possible for Indigenous communities to enjoy, and we will continue to work to expand access.
Have any Questions? Contact us to:
- Discuss hunting permissions
- Ask about vehicle access to gate-restricted areas
- Discuss permissions for fires
- Or contact us below for any other questions about accessing our forests!
What can I do in the forest?
Can I hunt?
Many of the forests we care for remain accessible for hunting on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with provincial and federal regulations. You can follow these links to check the regulations for New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
To arrange permission, please contact us. Permissions are reassessed on an annual basis.
We ask that no structures or garbage are left in the woods, and that trees or vegetation not be cut to create shooting lanes or trails. Baiting and motorized access is generally not permitted in our forests, although exceptions may apply on a case-by-case basis.
Certain forests may be designated as no-hunting areas at the request of donors or previous caretakers. We kindly ask users to respect these preferences.
Hunting access may be limited during high fire risk or “red” fire index periods. You can follow this link to check the fire index in Nova Scotia, and this link for New Brunswick.
We also strongly recommend hunters use non-lead bullets, to protect wildlife scavenging on carcasses from lead poisoning and death.
Can I harvest plants, fungi, and medicines?
The forests under our care remain accessible for the respectful gathering of plants, fungi and medicines (non-timber forest products). Please keep the principles of honorable harvest in mind while foraging.
Can I drive my car / ATV / OHV?
Our forests are non-motorized only, except where they have provincial ATV or snowmobile trails passing through them under formal agreements. Please respect these local club-maintained trails by treating them well and remaining on designated routes.
Can I start a fire?
Open fires are generally not permitted on Community Forests’ properties without special permission. Please contact us about any exceptions. Although fires are considered a natural part of the Wabanaki forest, human caused fire is seen as a significant risk to our forests, their stored carbon and biodiversity.
Can I bring my pet?
We are happy to welcome pets in most of the forests we care for, although a few of our forests are pet-free. To help us protect wildlife, we ask that pets are always under your control and are not allowed to chase or disturb wildlife.
Things to keep in mind when enjoying the forest
Protecting forest health
Please be mindful of phytosanitary concerns and invasive species. To help prevent the spread of invasive species, you can remember to give your boots a quick clean before hiking in a new area, avoid taking live plants or seeds out of the forest, and get to know which plants are invasive to this region. This is especially important in areas of concern, like where hemlock woolly adelgid is present.
You can learn more about invasive species and simple steps you can take by following this link for forests in Nova Scotia, and this link for forests in New Brunswick. Some of our forests contain rare or endangered plants. If you encounter these species, please take care to ensure no harm comes to them.
Leave no trace
We ask that all visitors follow Leave No Trace principles when visiting the forests under our care. This helps the forests stay free from trash and waste, and keeps them clean and safe for wildlife and future visitors.
Gates
You may notice gates on some of the forests we care for. These are maintained to protect sensitive ecosystems or structures installed as part of our stewardship of the forest. Vehicle access beyond gates may be possible in certain cases. To ask about access, please contact us.