Terra Nova National Park of Canada Management Plan

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Chief Executive Officer of Parks Canada, 2019.

For more information about the management plan or about Terra Nova National Park:

Foreword

Canada’s national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas belong to all Canadians and offer truly Canadian experiences.

These special places make up one of the finest and most extensive systems of protected natural and cultural heritage areas in the world.

The Government is committed to preserving our natural and cultural heritage, expanding the system of protected places and contributing to the recovery of species-at-risk. At the same time, we must continue to offer new and innovative visitor and outreach programs and activities so that more Canadians can experience Parks Canada places and learn about our environment, history and culture.

This new management plan for Terra Nova National Park of Canada supports this vision.

Management plans are developed through extensive consultation and input from various people and organizations, including Indigenous peoples, local and regional residents, visitors and the dedicated team at Parks Canada.

National parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas are a priority for the Government of Canada. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this plan for their commitment and spirit of co-operation.

As the Minister responsible for Parks Canada, I applaud this collaborative effort and I am pleased to approve the Terra Nova National Park of Canada Management Plan.

Original signed by

Recommendations

Recommended and original signed by

Executive summary

Established in 1957, Terra Nova National Park of Canada is part of the Canadian system of national parks, protecting a 402 km² representative example of the Eastern Newfoundland Atlantic Region characterized by extensive boreal forest and irregular rocky coastline. This region stretches from the easternmost point in Newfoundland and Labrador on the Avalon Peninsula and extends west to the Long Range Mountains. As the first National Park established in Newfoundland and Labrador, Terra Nova was chosen because of its characteristic coastal landscape, rugged coastline, abundant forests, lakes and rivers.

Terra Nova National Park is a major tourist attraction in Newfoundland and Labrador and a local vacation destination for residents of eastern and central Newfoundland. The national park welcomes over 40,000 visitors annually to experience and enjoy outdoor recreation and the natural environment of eastern Newfoundland and Labrador. Camping continues to be a preferred activity with generations of families returning to visit Newman Sound and Malady Head campgrounds year after year.

This management plan replaces the 2009 Management Plan for Terra Nova National Park which provided management direction for ecological integrity, cultural resource management, visitor experience, outreach and education, and stakeholder and partner relations.  

A 2017 State of the Park Assessment identified a number of key priorities that were considered during this plan review. They include the need to maintain a focus on forest health with the aim to improve the ecological integrity of the park, to improve the understanding of archaeological sites in the park and to continue with a sustainable approach to the maintenance and re-capitalization of park assets and infrastructure.

This management plan builds on the successful initiatives from 2009 and has been developed through engagement with Indigenous partners, stakeholders and the general public. Feedback from an extensive engagement process is reflected in the proposed vision, key strategies, objectives and targets.

The four key strategies for the 10 year management plan period focus on the following:

1.0 Introduction

Parks Canada manages one of the finest and most extensive systems of protected natural and historic places in the world. The Agency’s mandate is to protect and present these places for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future generations. Future-oriented, strategic management of each national park, national marine conservation area, heritage canal and those national historic sites administered by Parks Canada supports the Agency’s vision:

The Canada National Parks Act and the Parks Canada Agency Act require Parks Canada to prepare a management plan for each national park. The Terra Nova National Park of Canada Management Plan, once approved by the Minister responsible for Parks Canada and tabled in Parliament, ensures Parks Canada’s accountability to Canadians, outlining how park management will achieve measurable results in support of the Agency’s mandate.

Parks Canada’s many stakeholders and partners, including Miawpukek First Nation and Qalipu First Nation were involved in the preparation of the management plan, helping to shape the future direction of the national park. The plan sets clear, strategic direction for the management and operation of Terra Nova National Park by articulating a vision, key strategies and objectives. Parks Canada will report annually on progress toward achieving the plan objectives and will review the plan every ten years or sooner if required.

This plan is not an end in and of itself. Parks Canada will maintain an open dialogue on the implementation of the management plan, to ensure that it remains relevant and meaningful. The plan will serve as the focus for ongoing engagement on the management of Terra Nova National Park in years to come.

2.0 Significance of Terra Nova National Park

Established in 1957, Terra Nova National Park of Canada is part of the Canadian system of national parks, protecting a 402 km² representative example of the Eastern Newfoundland Atlantic Region characterized by extensive boreal forest and irregular rocky coastline. This region stretches from the easternmost point in Newfoundland and Labrador on the Avalon Peninsula and extends west to the Long Range Mountains. As the first national park established in Newfoundland and Labrador, Terra Nova was chosen because of its characteristic coastal landscape, rugged coastline, abundant forests, lakes and rivers.

Part of the Appalachian Mountain System, the national park is characterized by low relief and a series of rounded hills rising to 200 m above sea level. Arms, sounds, coves and inlets indent the coast and the rocky headlands feature sea arches and caves. Pleistocene epoch glaciation is evident in the irregular coastline, bogs, freshwater lakes, and deposits of glacial till. The climate has a maritime influence especially due to the Labrador Current, and is characterized by brief cool summers and moderate winters.

Shaped by glaciation, rolling hills and boreal forests, bogs and fens characterize the western portion of the national park. The eastern portion along the coast is sparsely vegetated rocky terrain, with deeper ponds and a rugged shoreline. The majority of the national park is forested, with black spruce being the dominant tree species, and smaller areas covered in balsam fir and hardwoods including white birch, red maple and trembling aspen.

Of the 21 species of terrestrial mammals found in the national park only twelve are native to the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador, including woodland caribou. There are 12 species at risk that regularly occur in the park, including the Newfoundland marten, olive-sided flycatcher, red crossbill, northern and little brown bat, boreal and blue felt lichen. Non-native mammals present in the national park include moose, snowshoe hare, and red squirrel. Of approximately 169 bird species found in the park, 63 use the national park as breeding grounds. More than 520 vascular plant species have been identified within the park, and seven freshwater or anadromous fish species, including native trout, salmon and landlocked arctic char, are found within freshwater ponds and brooks of the park.

Terra Nova National Park has a rich history of human use, traceable to the past 5,000 years. Several distinct unrelated maritime adapted culture groups have occupied areas throughout Bonavista Bay. While these groups travelled through the region, utilizing interior resources to varying degrees, they primarily relied on resources procured along the coast and adjacent watercourses. Of the thirty-two known archaeological sites documented within the park boundaries, fourteen have a pre-contact Indigenous component. Although the presence of the Beothuk and Mi’kmaq in the park has not been confirmed archaeologically, there is substantial evidence of a Beothuk presence at the nearby Beaches Site in Bloody Bay Reach. Likewise, ethnographic sources indicate that Mi’kmaq eventually expanded their range northward from southern Newfoundland to other parts of the island, including Bonavista Bay.

In the early 1500s, European fishermen began to exploit the waters of Newfoundland and Labrador. It was not until the 1670s that the English settlement frontier began to extend into Bonavista Bay, particularly Salvage. By the end of the 19^th century, there were settlements in nearby Glovertown, Traytown, Rosedale, Sandy Cove, Happy Adventure, Eastport, Port Blandford, Charlottetown and Terra Nova. Archaeological and historical research also provide evidence for numerous 20^th century forestry / sawmill related sites located throughout the park, including, but not limited to, locations at Park Harbour, Minchin’s Cove and Clode Sound.

3.0 Planning context

Terra Nova National Park is a major tourist attraction in Newfoundland and Labrador and a local vacation destination for residents of eastern and central Newfoundland. The national park welcomes over 40,000 visitors annually to experience and enjoy outdoor recreation and the natural environment of eastern Newfoundland and Labrador. Camping continues to be a preferred activity with generations of families returning to visit Newman Sound and Malady Head campgrounds year after year.

Terra Nova National Park is located in central, coastal Newfoundland and Labrador, on the island of Newfoundland, approximately 200 km from the capital, St. John’s (Map 1: Regional setting). Parks Canada maintains a 43 km stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway that runs the length of the park and is part of the main transportation corridor on the island. The communities closest to the national park include the enclave community of Charlottetown, Port Blandford south of the park, Terra Nova west of the park, Glovertown, Traytown and Culls Harbour northwest of the park and the communities of the Eastport Peninsula to the northeast of the park (Map 2: Local setting). The national park has a close relationship with local communities, sharing mutual interests in regional tourism environmental protection, emergency response and other areas. A variety of collaborative mechanisms, including the Community Leader’s Forum, are in place to encourage communication and positive relations.

Map 1: Regional setting

 

Map 2: Local setting

 

Terra Nova National Park is recognized as a core area of a network of protected heritage places in the province which has jurisdiction over the majority of land adjacent to the national park. To the south, the national park is byonly a few kilometres from the provincial Bay du Nord Wilderness Reserve which protects much of the range of the Middle Ridge caribou herd.

There are two Indigenous Mi’kmaq Bands on the island of Newfoundland, the Miawpukek First Nation and the Qalipu First Nation. The Miawpukek First Nation reserve, the community of Conne River, is located on the south coast of the island, 300 km from Terra Nova National Park. Miawpukek First Nation includes many off-reserve members as well. Members of Qalipu First Nation are located throughout the province, however its band offices and the majority of members reside on the west coast of the island. Continuing to grow and improve relationships with Miawpukek First Nation and Qalipu First Nation communities is a priority for Terra Nova National Park and the Parks Canada Agency.

This management plan replaces the 2009 Management Plan for Terra Nova National Park which provided management direction for ecological integrity, cultural resource management, visitor experience, outreach and education, and stakeholder and partner relations.  

Since 2009, Terra Nova National Park has continued to build relationships and effective partnerships with Indigenous partners, academic institutions, businesses, other government agencies, representatives of non-governmental organizations, and the not-for-profit sector. A variety of camping experiences, including those at Newman Sound and Malady Head campgrounds have been enhanced with diversified park accommodations like oTENTiks and Oasis units. Visitor facilities and amenities including the Activity Centre, campground washrooms, trails and park entrances have seen significant investment.

In collaboration with partners and stakeholders, a moose management plan has been implemented successfully with the goal of reducing negative impacts to ecological integrity. The fire management program continues to be implemented, and issue-based working groups have improved communications on conservation and protection efforts. Terra Nova National Park has completed significant infrastructure upgrades on roads, bridges and culverts including new climbing lanes on the Trans-Canada Highway, replacement of the Northwest River Bridge and improvements to Route 310 and Route 301.

A 2017 State of the Park Assessment identified a number of key priorities that were considered during this plan review. They include the need to maintain a focus on forest health with the aim to improve the ecological integrity of the park, to improve the understanding of archaeological sites in the park and to continue with a sustainable approach to the maintenance and re-capitalization of park assets and infrastructure. This management plan builds on the successful initiatives from 2009 and has been developed through engagement with Indigenous partners, stakeholders and the general public. Feedback from an extensive engagement process is reflected in the proposed vision, key strategies, objectives and targets.

4.0 Vision

The vision presented below expresses the future desired state of Terra Nova National Park in 15 years.

Terra Nova National Park endures as a beloved camping destination for families, and a popular destination for explorers seeking coastal and backcountry experiences. As a unique and valued core area in a larger network of protected landscapes in eastern Newfoundland and Labrador, Terra Nova National Park is recognized as a leader in ecosystem management, supported through collaborative initiatives with Indigenous and academic partners that enhance ecological monitoring and restoration. Indigenous and local cultures are celebrated through respectful relationships and collaboration that yields mutual learning and innovative experiences for visitors who enjoy, respect and appreciate the natural and cultural heritage of eastern Newfoundland and Labrador. Visitors to Terra Nova National Park will connect to this vision through opportunities to experience:

• Woodland caribou, Newfoundland marten and other native species thriving in the national park and moving freely across a connected landscape that has ecological integrity and is supported and protected in collaboration with conservation partners;
• Indigenous and local communities engaged with park staff, especially in sharing knowledge of culture and history;
• The Dark Sky Preserve, diversified accommodations, and hands on experiential programming;
• Coastal and backcountry offers available to diverse age groups; and
• Climate change adaptation measures in place to address identified risks and vulnerabilities.

5.0 Key Strategies

Four key strategies frame the management direction for Terra Nova National Park for the next 10 years. The strategies and corresponding objectives and targets focus on achieving the vision for the park through an integrated approach to park management. Targets have been prioritized with specific dates where feasible. Where no dates have been referenced, the target will be achieved within the period of the plan based on opportunities, annual priorities and capacity of the national park. Annual implementation updates will be provided to engage partners from Indigenous communities, local communities, stakeholders and the general public.

6.0 Zoning plan

The national park zoning system classifies areas according to their environmental values and suitability to provide and support visitor experience opportunities, facilities and infrastructure. The five zone categories are identified in Parks Canada’s Guiding Principles and Operational Policies. Terra Nova National Park contains Zones I through V (See Map 3: Zoning plan). In accordance with the legislative and regulatory requirements that govern Terra Nova National Park, snowmobiling is not permitted in the park except for park administrative and operational purposes on the authorization of the Park Superintendent. Corridors through the park for snowmobile access are not permitted.

The zoning plan has been amended from the 2009 management plan to reflect new knowledge and understanding of the capacity of national park ecosystems to sustain use or reflect the current understanding of the visitor use areas. The percentage area of each zone in the national park is noted below.

Zone I: Special preservation (3% of the park)

Zone I lands require special preservation because they contain or support unique, threatened or endangered natural or cultural features, or are among the best examples of the features that represent the natural region the national park represents. Preservation is paramount. Motorized access is not permitted. This management plan increases the protection of the portion of Gros Bog within park boundaries from a zone II to a zone I area. Gros Bog is the largest and most continuous bog-fen complex in Terra Nova National Park, playing an important role as a headwater wetland that provides connectivity between upland and aquatic ecosystems.Gros Bog is an area of high biological and functional diversity supporting a variety of terrestrial wetland biota including distinct and rare wetland plants. It is the largest wetland area in which nesting, brooding and foraging habitat coexist for migratory shorebirds, waterfowl and upland boreal birds.

Zone I areas that were identified in the 2009 management plan remain as zone 1 including, the Black Spruce-Cladina community, Copper Island, barren hill tops, and the estuary of inner Newman Sound.

Zone II: Wilderness (93% of the park)

Zone II contains extensive areas that are good representations of the natural region and are conserved in a wilderness state. The perpetuation of ecosystems with minimal human interference is the key consideration. Motorized access is not permitted. Zone II in Terra Nova National Park serves as a core protected area in a broader network of protected areas on the Island of Newfoundland, providing essential landscape connectivity for species on the island. Zone II encompasses the majority of the national park area including the primitive backcountry camping areas and trails, and the inter-tidal area along the coastline of the park boundary, including islands. Visitor experience is limited to self-propelled, low-impact activities. Campsites in Zone II include Buckley’s Cove and Southwest arm.

Zone III: Natural environment (1% of the park)

Zone III areas are managed as natural environments, and provide opportunities for visitors to experience the national park’s natural and cultural heritage values through outdoor recreation activities requiring minimal services and facilities of a rustic nature. Any motorized access will be controlled. Zone III adjustments from the 2009 management plan include the trail corridor which complements the broader zone IV visitor node at Sandy Pond and is designed to concentrate visitor use within the surrounding zone II. Zone III areas include: Platter’s beach, South Broad Cove, Minchins Cove, Cobblers Day Use Area, Southwest Brook Day Use Area, Southwest Arm Day Use Area.

Zone IV: Outdoor recreation (3% of the park)

Zone IV areas are those areas capable of accommodating a broad range of opportunities for understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the national park’s heritage values and related services and facilities in ways that impact the ecological integrity of the national park to the smallest extent possible and whose defining feature is the permitting of motorized vehicles on existing roadways. Zone IV adjustments from the 2009 management plan include the Sandy Pond visitor area and beach facility. Previous zone IV areas remain: the Trans-Canada Highway corridor and all roadways in the national park, parking lots, Saltons Visitor Information Centre, Newman Sound and Malady Head campgrounds and day use area and the golf course.

Zone V: Park services

Zone V is applied to major park operation and administrative functions. Administrative and operation compounds at Newman Sound and Big Brook Pit are in Zone V.

Environmentally and culturally sensitive sites

Sites that are ecologically sensitive or of cultural heritage significance have been identified and updated based on studies undertaken since the last management plan. A database of ecologically and culturally sensitive sites is maintained and updated as new monitoring information is obtained.

Non-conforming uses

Some zones support uses or activities that do not conform to the spirit and intentions of the zone type. Non-conforming uses include a road to Rocky Pond water supply, used infrequently for critical asset maintenance activities, and utility corridors for water and electricity that are within Zone II areas of the national park. These non-conforming uses will not be expanded.

The Park Superintendent may authorize motorized access in any zone for administrative and operational purposes.

Map 3: Zoning map

 

7.0 Summary of strategic environmental assessment

In accordance with The Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals (2010), a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is conducted on all national park management plans. The purpose of the strategic environmental assessment is to incorporate environmental considerations into the development of public policies, plans, and program proposals to support environmentally-sound decision making. Individual projects undertaken to implement management statement objectives at the site will be evaluated to determine if an impact assessment is required under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act 2012.

The scope of the assessment included the area within the boundary of Terra Nova National Park and considered influences from potential external local and regional stressors outside of the park, climate change, changes in visitation and proposals in the management plan. The time frame considered in the assessment was ten years from the date of the plan, at which time the plan will be reviewed. Valued components evaluated in the strategic environmental assessment include: forest health, freshwater, stream hydrology, coastal habitat, Common and Arctic Terns, wetlands, summit barrens and species at risk.

Species at risk, summit barrens, and Common and Arctic Terns were found to be moderately at risk of cumulative effects. The management plan identifies various objectives to address these effects including forest health improvement, implementation of the Multi-Species Action Plan and climate change research. Other mitigation strategies are identified in the strategic environmental assessment as required. For summit barrens this includes clearly delineating trails and installing signage to educate visitors on the fragility of this ecosystem.

Forest health was found to be at higher risk of cumulative effects due to climate change. Decades of intense, selective browsing by moose, a non-native species, and fire suppression has altered the composition and structure of the boreal forest in Terra Nova National Park and has interrupted natural patterns of forest regeneration. Climate change is expected to further impact the forest ecosystem over the next 10 years through increased storm and forest fire events. The management plan identifies active management and restoration (Objective 1.3) and use of climate change research to inform park management decisions (Objective 4.1) to address these effects. In addition, the strategic environmental assessment identifies exploration of additional restoration tools that can be used to maintain or increase resilience within the forest ecosystem.

Stream hydrology was also found to be at higher risk of cumulative effects due to climate change and external stressors. Recent storm events, water level fluctuations and projected increase in flooding events and elevated stream temperatures impact stream hydrology which subsequently impacts other ecological components such as salmon and benthic communities. External stressors such as industrial activities may have an impact as well. The management plan identifies collaboration with Indigenous partners, the research community and stakeholders in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem management efforts to enhance ecological connectivity within and around the national park (Objective 1.1) and use of climate change research to inform park management decisions (Objective 4.1) to address these effects. The strategic environmental assessment identifies further mitigation including examination of existing park data to determine trends in flow rates for various systems within the park.

Indigenous partners, stakeholders and the general public were provided with opportunities to provide comments on the draft management plan and a draft of the strategic environmental assessment during March and April, 2019. Comments were incorporated into the strategic environmental assessment and management plan as appropriate.

The Plan supports the Federal Sustainable Development Strategies themes: Effective Action on Climate Change, Modern and Resilient Infrastructure, Healthy Coasts and Oceans, Pristine Lakes and Rivers, Sustainably Managed Lands and Forests, Healthy Wildlife Populations, and Connecting Canadians with Nature. There are no important negative environmental effects anticipated from implementation of the Terra Nova National Park Management Plan.