Environment and Conservation
August 24, 2015

Supporting Families and Communities

Increased Number of Visitors Enjoying Salmonier Nature Park's Recreational and Educational Activities

The Salmonier Nature Park provides exemplary learning opportunities and visitor experiences that connect people with the natural environment of Newfoundland and Labrador. Despite the unseasonal weather in June and July, visitation at Salmonier Nature Park has seen a noticeable increase this summer. Group visitation, in particular, has increased 25 per cent over summer 2014 rates. Visitation details to date may be found in the backgrounder below.

"One of the park's primary functions is environmental education and visits from youth groups offer us a chance to build an awareness and appreciation amongst the young people of the province about wildlife, wildlife habitat and environmental stewardship. Visiting groups receive an introduction to the park and often our staff provides programming on wildlife related themes such as habitat, adaptation and endangered species. This is especially important now when many children spend much less time outside in direct contact with nature."
- The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation

Salmonier Nature Park, which opened its gates to the public in 1978, was originally established as an environmental education centre. However, over time the park's role as a major tourist destination on the Avalon Peninsula has increased significantly. Its role has also evolved to include wildlife rehabilitation, research and environmental monitoring. In addition, the Newfoundland and Labrador Wildlife Rehabilitation Program is coordinated out of the site, making it the main provincial facility involved in the care, rehabilitation, release or captive placement of injured or orphaned wildlife. Where possible, animals brought to the park for care are returned to the wild, or if that is not possible, they are incorporated into the on-site educational programming or relocated to similar environmental education facilities across Canada.

"The Salmonier Nature Park is one of the great attractions of St. Mary's Bay. The new and enhanced facilities, along with the completion of Route 91, will result in further increases in visitors through Marine Atlantic in Argentia".
- The Honourable Felix Collins, Attorney General and MHA for Placentia - St. Mary's

Further enhancing the educational experience for visitors will be the new visitor centre, which is supported by $2.6 million in Provincial Government funding. Expected to open in September, the exhibits in the centre are being specifically designed to encourage people to use their observation and research skills to better understand wildlife and ecological communities.

QUICK FACTS

  • Salmonier Nature Park has seen a notable increase in visitation this summer. While group visitation has increased significantly, despite less than ideal weather this July, general visitation at the park has also seen a modest increase, approximately eight per cent, since summer 2014.
  • Salmonier Nature Park offers a wide range of educational and recreational opportunities for visitors of all ages.
  • Development of Salmonier Nature Park began in 1973 and the park opened its gates to the public in 1978.
  • Further information about the park may be found at www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/snp/index.html

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Media contacts:

Jennifer Collingwood
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 689-8605
jennifercollingwood@gov.nl.ca 		Margaret Craniford
Constituency Assistant to the
Honourable Felix Collins
MHA for Placentia-St. Mary's
Telephone 709-729-6926
margcraniford@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER
Salmonier Nature Park Visitation Statistics

Below is the table showing the park visitation to date. While totals for August are not yet available, the general visitation increase is continuing into August and group visitation (often booked in advance) shows an increase of 441 over August of last year.

Salmonier Nature Park 2015 on-site visitation, up to July August 13, 2015.

2015 Groups General Total
June 1,974 (+587 from 2014) 8,352 (-654 from 2014) 10,326 (-67 from 2014)
July 1,443 (+59 from 2014) 14,317 (+1,299 from 2014) 15,760 (+1,358 from 2014)
August 741 to date (Total booked for month is 1381 which is + 441 over last year) 6,586 7,327
Total to Date: 33,413

2015 08 24                              3:20 p.m.