Newfoundland and Labrador's protected areas provide
natural venues for scientific research, and a
significant amount of research took place during the
2009 season. Thirty scientific research permits were
issued for projects in wilderness and ecological
reserves and provincial parks throughout the province, a
number that has been increasing steadily since 2004.
"Scientific research is essential to the successful
management of our province's parks and reserves, and we
encourage this research within our protected areas,"
said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of
Environment and Conservation. "The diversity and calibre
of research programs in the parks and reserves this
season truly demonstrates the scientific value of these
areas."
The majority of research in 2009 was carried out by
local researchers, in addition to a number of projects
were conducted by scientists from Ontario, New
Brunswick, Nova Scotia, the United States and the United
Kingdom. Many of the permits were for new research
projects, including the refurbishment of eider duck nest
boxes at Hare Bay Islands Ecological Reserve;
inventories of birds, arthropods and lichens in a number
of parks and reserves; and the casting of the
globally-significant Ediacaran fossils at Mistaken Point
Ecological Reserve. The silicone cast of these fossils
was highlighted on the Discovery Channel's Daily Planet
show and is important in the study of early animal
evolution.
Research permits were also renewed for ongoing
research on fossils, mushrooms, brook trout, seabirds
and woodland caribou.
Permits to conduct scientific research and monitoring
in provincial parks and wilderness and ecological
reserves are mandatory and can be obtained by contacting
the Parks and Natural Areas ecologist at 709-635-4529,
or by visiting www.gov.nl.ca/parks
The Parks and Natural Areas Division of the
Department of Environment and Conservation is
responsible for the 19 wilderness and ecological
reserves, one public reserve, 32 provincial parks, and
two Canadian heritage rivers in Newfoundland and
Labrador.
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