Environment and Conservation
Tourism, Culture and Recreation
October 26, 2011
Campsite Reservation System Experiences Growth in 2011 Season
The campsite reservation service for provincial parks in Newfoundland and Labrador experienced its fifth consecutive year of growth in the 2011 camping season with 11,550 reservations, a two per cent increase over 2010.
“I am very pleased with the continued growth our campsite reservation system has witnessed again this year,” said the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Environment and Conservation. “The natural heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador is second to none, and outdoor enthusiasts from both here and elsewhere in the world continue to recognize the beautiful camping experience we have to offer. We have made significant improvements over the past number of years through our Parks Renewal Strategy, and I believe we are seeing the results of our efforts.”
Natural areas in the province are an important part of the overall tourism package for Newfoundland and Labrador.
“Provincial parks and natural areas are significant tourism products for Newfoundland and Labrador,” said the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. “Our natural areas and ecological reserves including Cape St. Mary’s, Witless Bay, Mistaken Point, and Burnt Cape provide experiences of a lifetime for both resident and non-resident visitors. These places feature birds like gannets and our provincially-renowned puffins, and some of the world’s most significant fossils and rare plants.”
In an effort to help maintain the pristine beauty of provincial parks throughout the province, a curbside recycling project was initiated in all 13 provincial camping parks in 2011.
“We are pleased to report that approximately 120,000 recyclable beverage containers were diverted from landfills through blue boxes placed at every campsite in provincial camping parks this season,” said Minister Wiseman. “This is a phenomenal result for the first year of this program.”
Burnt Cape, Cape St. Mary’s and Mistaken Point ecological reserves are now officially closed for the season. While provincial park campgrounds are now closed to camping, outdoor recreation such as hiking is still encouraged in provincial camping parks.
The Parks and Natural Areas Division is responsible for the management of 54 parks and protected areas. The areas include: 13 camping parks, seven day-use parks, the T’Railway Provincial Park, 10 park reserves, one waterway provincial park, two wilderness reserves, 18 ecological reserves, one public reserve and a special management area. These areas protect significant natural features of the province, while also providing outdoor recreation, education and research opportunities.
For more information about provincial parks, wilderness and ecological reserves, please call the Parks and Natural Areas Division at 709-635-4520 or visit www.gov.nl.ca/env/parks
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Media contacts:
| Melony O’Neill Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation 709-729-2575, 689-0928 moneill@gov.nl.ca |
Diana Quinton Director of Communications Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation 709-729-0928, 631-8155 dianaquinton@gov.nl.ca |
2011 10 26 11:00 a.m.