Johnnys Island is a small, uninhabited island located in the middle of the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick, Canada. It is an internationally popular spot for hikers, kayakers, picnickers, and birdwatchers.
The island is known for its rugged landscape, which includes granite cliffs, deep canyons, and dense forests. It’s also home to several rare animal and plant species that are found nowhere else in the world. Johnnys Island is a great place to visit for anyone interested in nature preservation, conservation biology, geology, or archaeology.
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History
Johnnys Island is named after the Johnnie family, who settled there in 1783. In 1859, a lighthouse was built on the island to help ships navigate in and out of the Bay of Fundy. The lighthouse remained operational until it was decommissioned in 1967. Today, only ruins remain of the building.
Today, Johnnys Island is a popular hiking destination for people from all over New Brunswick and even parts of neighboring Nova Scotia. There are several trails that wind their way through the island’s rugged landscape; hikers can choose to hike short distances or explore more challenging terrain. The island is home to a sand beach, which is ideal for kayaking and swimming.
Johnnys Island is also home to a number of rare plants and flowers, such as the flower known as Mountain Aster that features in Christmas decorations throughout New Brunswick and Ontario. The island’s flora is protected by Parks Canada through an agreement with Tourism New Brunswick (TNB).
Climate
The climate on Johnnys Island is temperate and maritime, which means that there is a significant difference in weather between the warmer summer months and harsher winter conditions. In the milder seasons, there are often days when the temperature exceeds 25 degrees Celsius. Winters can be quite cold with temperatures dipping as low as −15 degrees Celsius.
Though total annual precipitation averages 130 cm, it occurs mostly in the form of snow or rain showers. Autumn and spring are generally pleasant with cool night temps and weather usually clear to partly cloudy most days though the sun is rare during summer months.
Culture
The culture on Johnnys Island is predominantly Scottish with a small French-speaking minority. Traditional Scottish dishes include haggis, neeps, and tatties (a type of stew), as well as whisky glen oysters which are harvested from the waters around the island. The main industries on the island are forestry and tourism although there has been a recent increase in artisanal production, including baking, winemaking, and cheese making.
The traditional music of Johnnys Island is usually played at weddings or other special events. There is also an annual Celtic festival that features competitions in skills such as dancing and storytelling which are an important component of the culture.
Traveling to and through Johnnys Island is limited by water transport only given its location between Saint Andrews Harbour on the Atlantic Ocean, Freshwater Bay off Mundy’s Point at Indian Arm further upstream from Petitcodiac River (on route 1), and Moncton Transitway Ottawa Road in walking distance away.
Politics
The political landscape of Johnnys Island is dominated by the Saint Andrews Regional Municipality (SARM) which has a population of around 35,000 people. The island is divided into two electoral districts: Sackville-Canso and North Queens. Both districts have a single Member of Parliament representing them in the House of Commons and their respective mayors are also members of the Provincial Council.
Government services
Johnnys Island is served by the Saint Andrews Regional Library and the Fisheries Technical Centre which offer a range of services to locals and visitors, including boat registration, fishing licenses, saltwater safety courses, and research on fisheries. There are also two post offices (one open Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm) as well as a police station.
Economy
The economy of Johnnys Island is largely based around forestry, tourism, and artisanal production such as baking, winemaking, and cheese making. The island has a small military presence with CFB Petitcodiac responsible for monitoring maritime shipping in the Georgian Bay.
One of the largest employers is The Municipality, employing over 200 people including Mayor Philip Coombs and Councillor Bernard Donovan; while Canso Pine Furniture operates an old-growth forest mill on-site along with a number of local businesses that produce furniture and boats such as Falmouth Marine who repair vessels under contract to Royal Canadian Navy ships (including HMCS Labrador which anchors off Johns Island) for RCAF use during exercises or when moored at CFB Petitcodiac as part-of their ship maintenance program.
Tourism
Johnnys Island is a popular tourist destination with visitors drawn to the island’s scenic beauty, wildlife (including both seals and eagles) and artisanal products. Some of the island’s most famous attractions include:
-Sackville Sand Dunes – A sand dune system that stretches for over 10 kilometres on Johns Island, reaching heights up to 60 metres
-Falmouth Marine – Boat repair shop located on Johns Island which services both civilian vessels and Royal Canadian Navy ships
-The Bayside Arts Centre & Gallery – Home to locally produced art as well as temporary exhibitions from across the region and world
-Sir Wilfred Grenfell Secondary School – Home to a popular performance known as the “Johnnys Island Show” in summer or winter months
The economy of Johnnys Island seems relatively sustainable given that it is not heavily industrialized, with few industry jobs on site. Tourism also has healthy revenue from visitors who come for whale watching, kayaking (with rentals) as well as hiking and snowshoeing which are ever-present activities at this time of year.
Transport
Johns Island is accessible by ferry from the mainland, with trips taking around 40 minutes. The island has a small airport which sees limited use mainly for public transport to and from Grenfell Secondary School.
Conclusion
As a small summer playground, Johns Island is periodically closed off to visitors throughout the year. This schedule varies but in some years makes the island inaccessible for several months out of every four. It seems likely that this will continue into future as residents move on with their lives and communities evolve during decades without permanent population shift.
FAQs
Question: Is There Any Archeological Significance To The Island?
There is no definitive answer, but it seems that Johns Island may have been used as a hunting ground or ceremonial site by First Nations people in the past.
Question: Is Johns Island Accessible Year-Round?
No, the island is inaccessible for much of the year due to weather conditions. However, there are several months per year when it’s open to visitors.
Question: What Are Some Of The Reasons The Island Is Inaccessible?
There are a few reasons why Johns Island may be inaccessible, namely weather conditions and transportation.
Question: What Kind Of Weather Does The Island Usually Experience?
The island experiences a range of weather conditions, but typically it’s warm and humid.
Question: Do I Need To Bring My Own Transport To Get To The Island?
No, transportation is available on the mainland which takes around 40 minutes.
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