Our property is a beautiful, elongated rectangle covering approximately 70 hectares. Our neighbor told us that the land was mainly a coniferous forest with a few deciduous trees and clusters of birches before the previous owner had about 25 hectares logged again by the Nova Scotia-based paper mill, Northern Pulp, in the winter of 2022.
At the back of our property, there is a stunning wetland (a marshy area that is permanently or seasonally saturated with water and home to a wide variety of plants and animals). A stream crosses the land in the rear third, providing a natural water source. The front part of the property connects to the road, and we have a central driveway with about 400 meters of road and a turnaround point. This infrastructure will significantly ease access and development of the land.
Our first visit was an exciting adventure. It was impossible to view the entire property, as some parts are still not accessible. The dense forest and underbrush make it difficult to get through. The trees grow very close together, and any open spaces are covered in undergrowth.
We explored every accessible corner, imagining where we would establish our gardens and start our small building projects. The possibilities seemed endless, and we felt inspired and energized.
We are determined to bring this piece of land back to life while implementing our vision of a sustainable lifestyle. It will be a journey full of challenges but also filled with joy and discovery. Even though it looks quite barren and inhospitable at first glance, there are signs of new life everywhere. We were especially pleased to see that they made an effort to leave as many birches standing as possible during the logging.