Our natural resources

The waters of the Rural Community of Beausoleil are made up of part of the watersheds of the Cocagne River and Cocagne Bay and Shediac Bay. They flow into the Northumberland Strait, which is part of the Gulf of St Lawrence.

Île de Cocagne and Île Surette (Treasure Island) as well as Barre de Cocagne and Dune de Grande-Digue are special features of the coastal watershed.

Definition: A watershed is an area with natural boundaries, where water from rain and snowmelt flows through streams and rivers to a body of water at a lower altitude, such as a lake or bay.

The region encompasses a diversity of habitats. The land adjacent to the coast is surrounded by several stretches of salt marsh. They are undulating low hills with forest and farmland. It is a region developed with permanent and seasonal residences.

The Île de Cocagne is very important from an ecological point of view, as it supports a variety of habitats including wetlands, mudflats, a sand spit, dunes, beaches, sandstone cliffs and wooded areas. It has a high level of biodiversity in a small area. It has been home to a Great Blue Heron colony since at least 1974. In the 2006 census, 219 nests were recorded.

In summer, many visitors come to the island by boat. It is also a very popular destination for kayakers. For the residents of Beausoleil and the surrounding communities, it is therefore important to work towards protecting the island's natural state.

The region's economy is based on natural resources. To preserve water quality in our communities, it is important to understand the impact of our activities on our watershed.