Huge new national park to be established in eastern Canada

Mealy Mountains ©Garth Lenz

March 2010. The Mealy Mountains rise dramatically from the shores of Lake Melville in south-eastern Labrador. Reaching heights of more than one kilometre, they are an island of arctic tundra surrounded by boreal forests and coastal seascapes.

Several types of ecosystems blend in this mosaic of northern wilderness. The majestic Mealy Mountains region is characterized by wild lakes and rivers, glacier-worn mountains, subalpine plateaus, bogs and fens, marine coasts, salt-swept islands, sand spits, coastal plains and boreal forests. The region is home to some of Labrador's most pristine wetlands and Atlantic salmon habitat, and one of North America's finest wild rivers - the Eagle River - runs through them.

Mealy wildlife - Moose, bear, caribou, Polar bear, Blue whale, osprey & eagle
The Mealy Mountains region harbours Moose, Black Bear, Osprey and Bald Eagles, as well as significant seabird colonies along the coast. What's more, several species at risk call the region home: a population of Woodland Caribou belonging to the larger boreal forest population that is considered threatened in Canada; and the eastern population of the Harlequin duck, which is listed as Special Concern under the federal Species At Risk Act. Marine mammals abound in the coastal and offshore waters, including six species of seals and sixteen species of dolphins and whales. The endangered Atlantic population of Blue whale may also be found offshore and, on occasion, Polar bears can be seen on the pack ice or on offshore islands.

10,000 square kilometres
The governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador have announced their commitment to establish a new national park reserve of approximately 10,700 square kilometres within the Mealy Mountains region. The park will be the largest national park in eastern Canada, and larger than Yellowstone and Yosemite parks combined.

The provincial government also announced its intent to establish a waterway provincial park to protect the Eagle River. Together, these areas represent over 13,000 square kilometres of protected eastern boreal habitat. The proposed park boundaries were accepted from recommendations submitted by a long-standing Steering Committee.

Migrating birds
The parks will serve as a large anchor of protected boreal forest, wetland and tundra along the Atlantic Flyway, an important breeding ground and migration route for many arctic bird species heading to wintering grounds in the south - some as far as South America. Species breeding in or migrating through the park include Peregrine Falcon (nationally Threatened), Least Sandpiper, Rusty Blackbird (Special Concern), Blackpoll Warbler, Olive-sided Flycatcher (provincially Threatened) and Arctic Tern.

Three Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are included within the proposed park boundaries. These IBAs support globally significant concentrations of breeding Harlequin Duck and Common Eider. Additionally, large concentrations of Black Scoter and Surf Scoter congregate there to moult.