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New Brunswick Museum Leads 14th Annual Biota into Black River PNA

June 19, 2025

June 2025 — This summer, the New Brunswick Museum (NBM) leads its 14th annual BiotaNB field project, turning its focus to the 4,000-hectare Black River Protected Natural Area (PNA), located adjacent to Kouchibouguac National Park. Running from June 25 to July 8, this intensive biodiversity study will bring together more than 60 experts, students, and volunteers from across Canada, the U.S., and Europe to document the rich and underexplored biological diversity of the province’s Eastern Lowlands.

To date, only 62 species—mostly vascular plants and birds—have been recorded from the Black River PNA. That number is expected to increase significantly. Greg Jongsma, Acting Curator of Zoology in the Museum’s Department of Natural History and project co-lead, sees enormous potential for new discoveries.

“This is an incredible opportunity to explore one of the province’s under-documented natural areas. We’re not just filling in a blank on the map – we’re building a deep understanding of the biodiversity that calls this region home. We’re excited to share these discoveries with the public during our open house.” says Jongsma.

A highlight of the project is a public open house on Sunday, July 6, from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., at the Biota Field Lab (Pentecostal Church, 194 Tweedie Brook Road, Kent Rural District). Visitors are invited to meet the scientists, students, and artists behind the project and explore their discoveries firsthand.

This year’s BiotaNB also includes an Artists-in-Residence program featuring:

  • Aleta Karstad, Scientific illustrator and 2018 recipient of the Canadian Wildlife Federation Robert Bateman Award.
  • Mathieu Léger, Moncton-based multidisciplinary artist and 2024 Atlantic nominee for the Sobey Art Award.
  • Michael McEwing, Carleton County-based landscape painter and art educator working in a variety of media including oil, acrylic, and printmaking.
  • Alex Glenn-Collins, pseudonym AGLENNCO, Nova Scotia-based multidisciplinary artist working with cartooning, writing, and craft mediums.

Together, these artists will interpret and reflect on the landscape, science, and species of the region, adding a creative lens to this scientific endeavor.

BiotaNB is grateful for the financial support provided by The New Brunswick Environmental Trust Fund, Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development, New Brunswick Wildlife Trust Fund and J.D. Irving Ltd.