The island offers nature lovers so many oppor- tunities to connect with nature along with being home to one of the world’s rarest plants: The Eastern Mountain Avens or Geum peckii, which is a member of the rose family. This yellow flower exists in only two isolated populations in the world. One along streams in the alpine meadows of the White Mountains in New Hampshire, with the other being the coastal peatlands of Brier Island and Digby Neck in Nova Scotia. The plant life presence in Brier Island is very plen- tiful and diverse due to seed drop from the many migrating birds that stopover in the area. There are actually 21 different species of orchids that grow on the Island which attract botanists from around the world to the Island for the amazing flora if offers. With the emphasis on nature and conservancy, the Island has become a real centre for research. There are a lot of unique opportunities, especial- ly for people who are into botany, on the island. The bog located on the Island, which The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) along with several other conservation partners including govern- ment and non-government organizations are restoring, is one of only three of its type in North America. They’re raising the water levels in the bog to protect the Eastern Mountain Avens.
You’re connected to the sea everywhere you look and travel on Brier Island. It is also home to three lighthouses, including the beautiful and historic Western Light and the Peter Island light- house, which is off the Island in Grand Passage. Facebook is full of the experiences and sights that can be had on the Island. Graham Wile posts, “Beautiful and interesting sights, including spec- tacular tidal events.” Terry Havlis Drahos posts, “Loved it. It is a beautiful place unlike anywhere else.” Wotta Reyes-Levinskybest posts, “Best humpback whale watching experience ever!!!” Mark Stokes posts, “Lovely place, everyone very friendly boat trips whale watching amazing.” However, we believe that Wanda Thomas Titus’s post was the most on point description of Brier Island with “A beautiful island with beautiful people. Slow down and enjoy the slower pace, look at the nature including sea birds, whales, seals, etc. The very unique and rare flora some only found on Brier Island. Great places to stay and great places to eat... do not miss this unique Canadian east coast town.” We are confident from our own experiences and those of others that you will not leave the Island disappointed for that reason it should be on your bucket list of travel destinations. To see more of what this amazing Island offers, please go to the Brier Island Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/brierisland). It is run on a voluntary basis by Amy Tudor and the photos you see in this article are courtesy of her.
A third of the island is owned by the Nature Con- servancy of Canada, protecting the many plants and animals that play a major role in the biodi- versity of Brier Island which is part of the South- west Nova Biosphere. As the Island is one of the major resting spots for migratory birds on the eastern seaboard. It goes without saying that tourism is what drives this small island and the surrounding region, which has seen the affects of Covid-19 restric- tion has had on visitors coming to the Island. Thankfully the Island has the support the fishing village of Westport that keeps the island com- munity going during the off-season and through- out the pandemic. Westport is also where the ferry service is that takes people from Freeport on Long Island. There are two short ferry trips to get to Brier Island, actually. Both ferries run once every hour, 24 hours a day and are on-call after midnight. The cost is only seven dollars per car, cash only. You pay to get there, but it’s free when you’re leaving. Whale watching is the major draw on the Island both Brier Island Whale and Seabird Tours, and Mariner Cruises Whale and Seabird Tours offer truly amazing adventures out into the Bay of Fundy to see these majestic creatures and we are confident that it will be an experience you will never forget as whale encounters are second to none with whale breaches off all sides of the ship to a backdrop of amazing scenery every- where you look.
“Best whale watching experience ever!!!” humpback
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MARCH 2021 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • MARCH 2021
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