Upper Stewiacke Wilderness Area
County
Colchester, Pictou
Size
8613 ha
Classification
Wilderness Area
Status
New
Conditions Apply?
Yes
Overview
Large forest patch representative of Central Rolling Hills and St. Marys Plain Natural Landscapes
Ecological Values
Encompasses much of the headwaters of Stewiacke River
Disturbed area, but productive and with good potential to recover to a natural condition over time
Twelve kilometers frontage on Big Branch Stewiacke River with remnant old spruce‐hemlock forest along ravines
Sugar maple and white ash along small floodplains and terraces; cliffs along Stewiacke River
Nationally endangered Atlantic salmon spawn in the rivers along with brown trout, brook trout and alewife
Deer wintering area
Productive forest in poorly represented landscapes
Habitat for nationally threatened and provincially vulnerable wood turtle
Habitat for provincially endangered mainland moose
Outdoor Recreation Values
Hunting and fishing
Canoeing
Forestry Values
Mostly young forest regenerating after widespread clearcutting between 1990s and 2010
Includes over 1000 ha of plantation and 100 ha of additional young thinned stands
Small portion of area unavailable for forestry due to DNR old forest policy
Other Resource Values
Low mineral potential
Part of the area is licensed for mineral exploration
Low and medium petroleum potential
Low and medium wind potential
Conditions
Legal protection for this area will be delayed until 2020.
683 ha subject to wood supply analysis.
Exclusions and Vehicle Access
Road exclusions and potential OHV trail agreements subject to future planning and consultation.