Parks Canada is taking direct action to protect a rare coastal plant in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. If you buy official Parks Canada merchandise online this year, your purchase directly funds efforts to save the Gulf of St. Lawrence beach pinweed. This unique plant faces severe threats from climate change and harsh winter storms. According to a recent report by CBC News, conservationists are working hard to ensure this species survives.

The Threat of Climate Change

The Gulf of St. Lawrence beach pinweed is a short shrub that grows 20 to 30 centimetres tall. It thrives on large stable dune systems safely away from ocean waves. In New Brunswick, you will only find it between the Bay of Miramichi and the Bouctouche Dune.

David Mazerolle is an ecosystem scientist at Kouchibouguac National Park. He notes the global population of this plant is dropping fast. Milder winters mean less sea ice to protect the coastline.

“Once upon a time, it was a reliable thing that our coasts would be protected by sea ice during the winter, but, with milder winter temperatures, we’re seeing the loss of that coastal ice in wintertime,” Mazerolle said. “So, the winter storms are also having an increased impact on those ecosystems.”

A Unique Maritime Treasure

This specific variety of beach pinweed exists nowhere else in the world. It is entirely endemic to the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Sean Blaney serves as the executive director and senior scientist with the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre. He explains that 85 percent of this plant’s population lives on land jointly managed by Parks Canada and Mi’kmaw First Nations.

Blaney views the conservation work as a necessary safeguard. The plant acts as a key indicator of how climate change impacts coastal ecosystems.

“Without the work that we do, this species could have just disappeared,” Blaney said.

Transplanting for the Future

Parks Canada teams collect seeds and partner with Acadia University to germinate them. This process is entirely new for the species.

The results are promising. Teams are now entering their second year of planting the germinated seeds in Kouchibouguac National Park and Prince Edward Island National Park.

Lindsey Burke is a resource management officer with Prince Edward Island National Park. She points out that protecting the pinweed also protects the broader dune systems.

“Because we know in many cases with Parks Canada, you let nature take its course,” Burke said. “But sometimes this is one of those cases where it needs a hand.”

Workers acclimate the plants to park conditions before planting them in the wild. This preparation gives the pinweed the best chance to thrive and become able to sustain themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Gulf of St. Lawrence beach pinweed?

It is a rare perennial shrub that grows 20 to 30 centimetres tall. It lives exclusively on stable coastal dune systems in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Why is the beach pinweed in danger?

Climate change causes milder winters and less coastal sea ice. This lack of ice allows severe winter storms to erode the dune habitats where the plant grows.

How is Parks Canada funding the protection of this plant?

Parks Canada uses the proceeds from online sales of official merchandise, including shirts and tote bags, to fund the conservation project.

Where does the beach pinweed grow in New Brunswick?

In New Brunswick, the plant only grows along the coast from the Bay of Miramichi south to the Bouctouche Dune.