Environment and Conservation
October 27, 2015

Protecting our Wildlife Resources

Revitalization Program Provides New Facilities at Salmonier Nature Park

The Salmonier Nature Park Revitalization Program has resulted in the construction of a new wildlife care building, technical services building and Discovery Centre. This investment has enabled substantial improvements to the park’s animal care and rehabilitation program, the provision of environmental education and interpretation and in the maintenance of the park’s trails and buildings.

“Since 2011, the Provincial Government has invested more than $5 million for the development of three new buildings as part of a 10-year strategic plan for Salmonier Nature Park. These facilities will provide an exemplary learning opportunity and visitor experience that connects people with the natural environment of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
- The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation

Salmonier Nature Park opened to the public in 1978 and is a key centre for environmental education in the province. The park plays host to a wide range of users that include residents, visitors and school groups.

“Salmonier Nature Park attracts over 40,000 visitors every year and is one of the major tourist destinations on the Avalon Peninsula. The new and enhanced facilities will allow tourists and the public to experience environmental education and nature-based tourism.”
- The Honourable Felix Collins, Attorney General and MHA for Placentia - St. Mary’s

An additional $810,000 was invested from the Newfoundland and Labrador Green Fund towards green features including a wetland system for the treatment of wastewater and natural ventilation and the construction of the Wildlife Discovery Centre. A description of the buildings is found in the backgrounder below.

“The creation of a greener facility assists in our province’s response to the effects of climate change. The infrastructure investment in the Discovery Centre has resulted in the building being evaluated for certification under the LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Program.”
- Minister Crummell

LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification program that distinguishes best-in-class building strategies and practices.

The Discovery Centre is open to school groups until mid-November. To book a school visit, contact Salmonier Nature Park at 709-229-7888. The remaining areas of the park are closed to the public for the season.

QUICK FACTS:

• The Salmonier Nature Park Revitalization Program has resulted in the construction of a wildlife care building, technical services building and Discovery Centre.
• The infrastructure improvements are part of a 10-year strategic plan for Salmonier Nature Park.
• Since 2011, funding of over $5 million has been provided for the development of infrastructure at Salmonier Nature Park.
• The Discovery Centre is open to school groups until mid-November. The remaining areas of the park are closed to the public for the season.

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Media contact:

Emily Timmins Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation 709-729-2575, 709-693-1292 emilytimmins@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER
New Buildings at Salmonier Nature Park

The Salmonier Nature Park Revitalization Program has resulted in the construction of three buildings:

• The Wildlife Care and Rehabilitation Centre is the main provincial facility for care, rehabilitation, release or captive placement of injured or orphaned wildlife. Animals are brought to the park for care and 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 centre meets the Provincial Standards for Veterinary Clinics and standards set for zoological facilities in Canada.
• The Technical Services building provides a new carpentry workshop area. The Technical Services Program supports both animal care and education at the park including the development of trails, captive wildlife displays and exhibits.
• The Wildlife Discovery Centre houses “Living Diversity” an exhibit about wildlife and natural communities of Newfoundland and Labrador. The exhibits are specifically designed to encourage people to use their observation and research skills to better understand wildlife and ecological communities.

2015 10 27                              11:45 a.m.