Date Acquired: 2011

 

Location: Plymouth Road

Trails: Green Trail

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          The Jim Goltz Forest, located on the Plymouth Road in Richmond, New Brunswick, is a 17.4-hectare property home to the Green Trail. Visitors can access the preserve via roadside parking, with the trailhead marked by a Meduxnekeag Valley Nature Preserve sign.

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          This property is best known for its mature eastern hemlock stand, where large specimens thrive along the hillside. Historically, the steep terrain, exposed bedrock, and extensive rock outcrops limited agricultural activity, allowing much of the original forest to remain intact. The Green Trail guides visitors through an upland mixed-wood forest before descending into a riparian ecosystem dominated by eastern hemlock and eastern white cedar.

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          As the trail winds through the rugged landscape overlooking the Meduxnekeag River, visitors may encounter a variety of unique plant species adapted to the cool, shaded conditions created by the mature forest. One notable species is rock polypody, a fern that thrives on exposed boulders and bedrock. In some areas, entire rock faces are blanketed by dense mats of this distinctive fern, creating a striking feature of the preserve.

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          Closer to the river, the Green Trail offers scenic views of the Meduxnekeag and several deep holding pools. Historically, Atlantic salmon would have used these pools as resting areas during their upstream migration. Although Atlantic salmon are no longer commonly found within the watershed, this section of river continues to provide important habitat for waterfowl and other aquatic wildlife. Visitors may observe a variety of bird species throughout the year from the same vantage points along the trail.

As the trail loops back toward the trailhead, the cool, moist conditions beneath the hemlock canopy support an abundance of fungi, mosses, and other bryophytes. Fallen logs and standing deadwood provide valuable habitat for these organisms, highlighting the ecological importance of mature forest ecosystems.

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          Although the preserve contains only a single trail, the Green Trail is widely regarded as one of the most challenging routes within the Meduxnekeag Valley Nature Preserve. Steep slopes, wet rocks, exposed roots, and sections requiring the use of ropes for balance make for a demanding hike.

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          Written by Devon Bustard