Terra Nova National Park
| Terra Nova National Park | |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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Location of Terra Nova National Park in Canada |
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| Location | Newfoundland, Canada |
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| Nearest city | Port BlandfordNearest city: Port Blandford |
| Coordinates | 48°30′43″N 53°59′46″W / 48.51194°N 53.99611°W / 48.51194; -53.99611Coordinates: 48°30′43″N 53°59′46″W / 48.51194°N 53.99611°W / 48.51194; -53.99611 |
| Area | 400 km² |
| Established | 1957 Established: 1957 |
| Governing body | Parks Canada |
Terra Nova National Park is located on the northeast coast of the island of Newfoundland in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, along several inlets of Bonavista Bay. The park takes its name from the latin name for Newfoundland.
Terra Nova’s landscape is typical of the northeast coast of Newfoundland, with remnants of the Appalachian Mountains contributing to widely varied and rugged topography throughout the region. The park’s seacoast consists of several rocky “fingers” jutting into Bonavista Bay along an area stretching from just north of Port Blandford to the vicinity of Glovertown. The coastline varies from cliffs and exposed headlands to sheltered inlets and coves, contributing to Newfoundland’s prime recreational boating area.
Inland areas consist of rolling forested hills, exposed rock faces, and bogs, ponds and wetlands. Wildlife protected by the park range from small to large land mammals, migratory birds, and various marine life. Terra Nova also protects an area containing remnants of the Beothuk Nation, as well as many of the early pioneer European settlements in the region.
Terra Nova National Park was created in 1957 and was the first National Park in Newfoundland and Labrador. Terra Nova protects the Eastern Island Boreal Forest natural region. This region covers most of the island of Newfoundland, east of Deer Lake, and is characterized by black spruce trees with pockets of balsam fir, white pine, mountain ash, tamarack, maple and other deciduous tree species.
Challenges
Terra Nova, like many parks, has challenges in preserving its ecological integrity. Firstly, one of the mechanisms to renew a boreal forest ecosystem is forest fire – something that hasn’t happened in the region in many years. As a result, the forest of Terra Nova is not mixed. It is mostly old growth forest with trees of roughly the same age. Forest fire renews the forest and creates new habitat for many boreal creatures. Another challenge facing Terra Nova is introduced species. Newfoundland suffers from “the island effect”. Islands can have very different ecosystems than their mainland counterparts. For example, the island of Newfoundland only has 14 native mammals while neighboring Nova Scotia has over 40.
Activities
There are lots of things to do during your visit to Terra Nova National Park. There are two campgrounds that offer front country camping: Newman Sound and Malady Head. Newman Sound is the bigger of the two and has many sites with electrical capability. Malady Head is a quieter campground and offers more of a “wilderness experience.” There are also a number of backcountry camping areas that you can hike, canoe or kayak to. There are many trails in the park of varying length and difficulty. The main visitor centre is located at Salton’s Brook. There you will find marine exhibits, including a touch tank, the Ocean Watch boat tour that will take you out into Newman Sound to see bald eagles, and sea kayaking. There is also a Coast Guard exhibit, a gift shop [1] and a restaurant.
During the summer there are a number of interpretive programs offered at Terra Nova. Almost every night there is a show at the Evening Theatre about the themes of the Park. Previous shows include “Forest Feud” and “The Broad Cove Bachelor”. Once a week there is also a campfire program at the campfire circle where you can listen to some sounds of Newfoundland while sipping hot chocolate. There are also a number of interpretive hikes that cover themes such as introduced species, forest fire, species at risk, and edible plants.
There are a number of activities for kids. There is a Nature House [2] in Newman Sound Campground that offers daily programs. One of the more popular programs is the Junior Naturalist Program where children get stamps towards becoming a junior naturalist. There is also a Graduate Naturalist Program where older children get a workbook with lots of fun activities to complete.
Terra Nova also organizes and celebrates a number of special events. Some of the more popular include Canada Day (July 1), Kids day, Newfoundland and Labrador day, Take a Hike Day, Oceans Day (June 8), and the Heritage Folk Festival[3](August).
Winter activities at the park include winter camping, snowshoeing and cross country sking. People are also welcome to come and have a “mug up” at the park during the winter.
