Nature and science

Akami-Uapishkᵁ-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve
© Parks Canada

Located in the East Coast Boreal Natural Region of Parks Canada’s world-class system of national parks, Akami-Uapishkᵁ-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve will protect approximately 10,700 square kilometres of a stunning array of pristine landscapes, vegetation and wildlife. Canada’s newest and 46th national park will protect cultural landscapes of importance to Innu, Inuit, and other people in the region.

One of the focal points of the national park reserve is the Mealy Mountains themselves. From their rugged peaks a lush forested landscape gently descends eastwards towards the coast until it meets the frigid waters of the Labrador Sea. This is a landscape of undisturbed watersheds and pristine wild rivers with breathtaking rapids and waterfalls.

The Wunderstrand
© Parks Canada

The beautiful White Bear, North and English Rivers include both Atlantic salmon and trout. The high mountains offer exceptional hiking opportunities to visitors. Where the park meets the Labrador Sea, an extensive, 50-kilometre stretch of sandy beaches known as the Wunderstrands can be found.

Mealy Mountain Caribou
© Parks Canada

The national park reserve will play an important role in wildlife conservation. It protects a significant portion of the range of the threatened Mealy Mountains caribou herd, including key habitat along the coast and on offshore islands. Extensive landscapes of boreal forest, which are home to caribou, wolves, black bear, marten and fox can be found just north of Sandwich Bay as well as along the south shore of Lake Melville. Toward the south, extensive wetlands provide important habitat for migratory birds such as ducks and geese.

A great read

For a treasury of local stories about traditional land use in the Mealy Mountains over the years, consider obtaining a copy of Vol. 30 No. 2 (2006) of Them Days, Labrador’s iconic cultural magazine. Information on how to order a back copy of the issue, which is called Stories of the Mealy Mountains Akamiuapishkᵁ, can be found at Themdays.com.