FREDERICTON BOTANIC GARDEN    

Newcomers and veteran green thumbs will all enjoy discovering the secrets of gardening with a tour of the 23-hectare Fredericton Botanic Garden. Its colourful entrance leads to mature perennial beds and beyond to further scrub plantings, ponds, woodland trails and outstanding views across the river.  Established in 1990, the Garden is continuing to evolve through the efforts of the members of the FBGA in cooperation with the City of Fredericton. Visitors to this garden in development, with its magnificent vistas, will also learn about the ecosystem of the St. John River Valley.Demonstration and talks are arranged from time to time.   Visitors welcome at any time and admission is free. Guided tours can be arranged.           
Contact: Tel: 506-452-9269; Email Fredericton Botanic Garden,  www.frederictonbotanicgarden.com

GARDEN TOURS   

There are several Garden tours that usually take place every summer- Keep you eyes on the Calendar of Events for details.

HYLA PARK NATURE PRESERVE

Location: Greenwood Drive, Northside
Canada's First Amphibian Park - you'll almost certainly hear a flute-like trilling sound over the din of hungry mosquitoes. The trill is the call of the gray treefrog. This tiny frog - Hyla versicolor in Latin - gives Hyla Park its name and is the main reason for the nature preserve's existence. Visitors will also find a variety of trees and flowers, including three rare plant species: the red milkwort, the purple gerardia, and the small-flowered gratiola. A self-guided trail brochure is available and arrangements can be made for a guided tour.
Contact:  Nature Trust of New Brunswick
Tel: 506-457-2398;  Email Hyla Park Nature Preserve

 Frog Walks - a Guided Amphibian Adventure

Join Greg Jongsma or Don Vail at Hyla Park to learn about the amphibians that call this preserve home! You will learn about the secrets frogs hold and why we care so much about them!
Please register by calling: (506) 457-2398 Or email: staff@ntnb.org (All walks are free!)
Each walk is limited to 15 people but we will gladly schedule more!
Summer 2010
June 2nd @ 6:30pm
July 7th @ 6:30pm
July 20th @ 6:30pm
August 11th @ 6:30pm
August 27th @ 6:30pm
September 13th @ 6:30 pm
How to find Hyla: Behind the Greenwood Drive United Baptist Church at 150 Greenwood Drive or off the Gibson Walking Trail (Northside).

ODELL PARK AND ARBORETUM

Location: Waggoners Lane
Odell Park is home to the Odell Arboretum and New Brunswick Species Collection. The Odell Arboretum contains all the tree species native to New Brunswick. The 2.8 km arboretum trail winds through the woods past 41 separate sites where individual tree species grow naturally and are identified by interpretative plaques. Some of the trees are more than 400 years old. It takes less than an hour to cover the entire trail or you may choose to walk just one or two of the three loops that make up the entire trail. The first loop incorporates a section suitable for all trail users. For those even more pressed for time, the New Brunswick Species Collection, located on the incline behind the park lodge, shows examples of every native New Brunswick tree species set in a park environment of lawns, paths and benches.
Guided tours may be arranged.
Contact:  Community Services Department 
Tel: 506-460-2230

BIRD WATCHING   

Visitors to Fredericton will find a wide variety of habitats in which to enjoy many of the birds that live in the northeastern part of North America. Situated near latitude 46°, the local area may provide those from further south a first encounter with birds typical of the northern conifer forest. Naturalists from the western part of the continent will be treated to a diversity of eastern birds.

The UNB Woodlot has extensive areas of coniferous forest providing habitat for Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Gray Jay and Boreal Chickadee. During years of abundant cone crops, White-winged Crossbills may be present. The main entrance is near the Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre, located off Route 101 (Regent Street). Odell Park has many different habitats, including stands of old-growth Eastern Hemlock, spruce-fir and maple-beech fields. A good number of wood-warbler species, along with certain flycatchers, vireos and thrushes, may be found nesting in the park. Barred Owls, Pileated Woodpeckers and Scarlet Tanagers also nest there regularly.

Walking Trails located close to the St. John River provide good bird-watching opportunities especially during both spring and fall migration seasons, as many species of birds follow the river edge whereas waterfowl and other aquatic birds use the river itself. A large chimney on the University of New Brunswick Campus often hosts hundreds of roosting Chimney Swifts from mid-May and into the summer. 
Contact:  Website:  http://fan.nb.ca/fan/info/Recreation/BirdWatching/Swifts.html

DUCKS UNLIMITED CONSERVATION CENTRE

Location: 752 Union Street, Northside              
A great place to learn about the wonders of wetlands and why they are important for wildlife, people and a healthy environment. Open: Mon-Fri 8:30am - 4:30 pm, year round. Free admission. Group tours upon request.  
Contact: 506-458-8848;  Email Ducks Unlimited ; Website

MACTAQUAC COUNTRY   

30 minutes north west of Fredericton, is a beautiful area , situated on both sides of the Mactaquac headpond on the St. John River. Mactaquac Provincial Park:  a River Valley Activity Site, is 500 hectares of outdoor year-round activity. The park boasts an 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course, set in the spectacular rolling hills of the St. John River Valley.
Great Beaver Pond Voyage
An interpretive guided walk puts you in a beautiful, pristine nature reserve featuring Mactaquac Provincial Park’s remarkable chain of beaver ponds. Tour begins at the Park Administration building. What to bring: walking shoes/boots, sun hat and rain gear. Wednesdays 11am – 12:30pm, (May – October).
Contact: 506-363-4912, www.tourismfredericton.ca