The Irving Eco-Centre: La Dune de Bouctouche was developed by J. D. Irving Ltd. to protect and restore one of the last great dunes on the northeastern coast of North America. The fine sand dune extends 12 kilometres into the Bouctouche Bay and was created by the constant movement of sand due to the wind, tides, and ocean currents since the last ice age. The dune, estimated to be 2,000-years old, changes shape with every major storm. It serves as a habitat for a wide variety of aquatic plants and animals, as well as shore and migratory birds, making this a major ecological site.