Cape St. Mary�s Ecological Reserve 2004 season opening

The Minister of Environment and Conservation, Tom Osborne, announced today that the Cape St. Mary�s Ecological Reserve and Interpretation Centre will officially open to the public on Saturday, May 15 and remain open until October 13, 2004.

The interpretation centre will be open daily, seven days a week, and staff are available on site to provide information to visitors and offer guided interpretation tours.

Cape St. Mary�s Ecological Reserve is an internationally-significant seabird colony. It is the largest gannet colony in Newfoundland and Labrador and the second largest in North America. The reserve is also the most accessible seabird colony in North America.

"I encourage everyone to visit Cape St. Mary�s Ecological Reserve this season," said Minister Osborne. "All the seabirds have returned to nest at this outstanding ecological reserve, which is home to 12,000 nesting pairs of gannets. The reserve also offers various services and activities that can be enjoyed by young and old alike. A visit to this magnificent sanctuary will indeed be a visit of a lifetime."

Minister Osborne also noted that the Witless Bay Islands Ecological Reserve is another popular seabird watching destination in our province, which has the largest Atlantic Puffin colony in North America - 300,000 pairs - and also one of the best places to watch whales. Boat tours are available to view our provincial bird, the Atlantic Puffin, nesting on the islands of this reserve.

"Cape St. Mary�s and Witless Bay Islands Ecological Reserves are two of the province�s spectacular seabird wonders," said the minister. "I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to explore these awesome sites. It is indeed nature at its best."

In 2003, 22,177 people visited the Cape St. Mary�s Ecological Reserve, while over 80,000 people visited the Witless Bay Islands Ecological Reserve.

Media contact: Sonia Glover, Communications (709) 729-2575

2004 05 13                                       11:43 a.m.