Environment and Conservation
November 25, 2014
The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation:
Celebrating 60 Years of Provincial Parks
Mr. Speaker, as 2014 draws to a close, I rise in this Honourable House to acknowledge a tremendous milestone that was celebrated this year – the 60th anniversary of this province’s provincial parks.
Throughout this past summer, we celebrated with visitors to our parks during special events for Canada Day, Parks Day and a Parks Proud launch to celebrate this significant achievement in our province. I’m told all of these activities were successful and a wonderful time was had by all.
Employees of the Parks and Natural Areas Division of the Department of Environment and Conservation promoted this 60 year achievement by wearing Parks Proud anniversary shirts and encouraging visitors to join in to celebrate 60 incredible years.
Mr. Speaker, the Provincial Government continues to establish, protect and manage our parks as natural habitats for future generations while offering unique nature experiences like hiking, camping and outdoor adventures for everyone to enjoy.
The provincial parks system was established in 1954 with the creation of Sir Richard Squires Memorial Provincial Park near Cormack, and has expanded to a network of 13 camping parks, seven day use parks, the T’Railway Provincial Park, Main River Waterway Provincial Park and 10 park reserves. The province also has two wilderness reserves and 18 ecological reserves that protect significant seabird colonies, rare plants and significant fossil sites.
Mr. Speaker, again, I would like to thank all of the parks staff in the Parks and Natural Areas division who work every day to protect, preserve and promote our natural heritage, while providing a diverse range of outdoor recreational opportunities province-wide.
As an outdoor enthusiast myself, I encourage every visitor to celebrate, discover, explore, understand and appreciate our province and all it has to offer.
You can learn more about our provincial parks on our website.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
2014 11 25 1:50 p.m.