Alder Grounds Wilderness Area
755 hectares; Landscape representation - Eastern Shore Quartzite Plain
Bordering the Liscomb River between Hunting Lake and Island Lake, Alder Grounds Wilderness Area encompasses an outstanding array of wetland and riparian habitats and several forested ecosystem types.
Deep, slow-moving stillwaters, in combination with low topographic relief and poor drainage, have contributed to the development of a unique concentration of wetland habitats. An outstanding variety of fen and bog types occur throughout this area, which are easily distinguished from one another by their physical forms and distinct plant communities. Fen ecosystems are one of the most striking features of the Alder Ground, because they occupy extensive tracts along the river, and form the only vegetative communities on some of the floodplain islands. Fens are outstanding in both quality and diversity, since they remain undisturbed and include examples of several distinct ecotypes. These same slow moving waters also play an important role in maintaining water levels in the extensive Liscomb River system.
The area also offers high quality wilderness travel opportunities for canoeists combining a network of channels, lakes, ponds, islands and stillwaters, which form a scenically changing travel route. The Liscomb River has traditionally been well used by canoeists, kayakers, anglers and outdoor adventurers because it offers a variety of wilderness experiences, and contains some of the Province's best and most popular white-water river opportunities.
