An Exceptional Year in Forillon National Park

December 14, 2016                          Gaspé, Quebec                                                Parks Canada Agency

This year was pivotal for Forillon National Park: historic infrastructure investments, a large increase in visitors, concrete conservation measures, new experiences for visitors, popular events, and partnerships renewed with community organizations.

To keep community members and partners informed of its various activities, Forillon National Park releases today its 2016 - Year in Review, an overview of the year’s main projects and highlights, available online at pc.gc.ca/forillon.

Again this year, the Parks Canada team in Gaspésie used all their skills, energy, and enthusiasm to fulfil their mandate to protect our natural and cultural treasures, provide learning opportunities and create authentic and inspiring experiences for Forillon National Park visitors. By protecting and presenting the wildlife, vegetation, history and stunning scenery of Forillon, Parks Canada is helping to improve tourism and attract new visitors to the region, and preserve the remarkable heritage of the area for future generations.

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, the Government of Canada invites Canadians to experience and learn more about our environment and our heritage

 

Quote

“Parks Canada’s emblematic destinations form important cornerstones for Canada’s local, regional and national tourism industry. The success of Forillon National Park’s 2016 season has directly contributed to the growth of the tourism industry and the creation of jobs in the Gaspé region. We are proud to welcome residents and visitors from around the world to Forillon and all our national parks, which make up one of the most beautiful protected area networks in the world.”

The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue and MP for Gaspésie–Les Iles-de-la-Madeleine

 

Quick Facts

• In 2016, the campsite and oTENTik occupancy rates of Forillon National Park increased by 21%, and 31%, respectively. There were also significant increases in the number of participants in interpretive activities (24%), the use of the interpretive centre (25%), and the number of heritage site visits (25%).
• Parks Canada actively contributed to preserving the protected natural and cultural heritage at Forillon National Park through a number of monitoring and research projects (e.g., the Cap-des-Rosiers beach restoration, bat and seabird inventories, a study on the black bear population, etc.), the Ecological Integrity Monitoring Program (carnivores, fish, Penouille eelgrass, forest stands, etc.), the launch of the Fort Peninsula rehabilitation project, and archaeological work. 
• Parks Canada has enhanced the visitor experience at Forillon National Park by introducing two new VIP excursions, six new interpretive talks and activities, and popular cultural and athletic events such as the first Ultra-Trail du Bout du Monde race and the sunrise concert. The micro-cube, a new type of accommodation, was also tested for the first time in Canada.
• Parks Canada works with Chambre de commerce et de tourisme de Gaspé, Tourisme Gaspésie, Escale Gaspésie and Québec maritime to promote Gaspé-Forillon and position the region as a must-see outdoor destination in Quebec. The team also works with many community partners such as Ville de Gaspé, the Micmac community of Gespeg, La Côte-de-Gaspé RCM, the group representing people whose land was expropriated at Forillon and their descendants, Festival Musique du Bout du Monde, Traversées de la Gaspésie, Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Iles, and Université du Québec à Rimouski.
• Forillon National Park is a major tourism stakeholder in the Gaspé region. It boasts a staff of 96 and employed 53 students during summer 2016.
• The Government of Canada has earmarked nearly $32 million for infrastructure projects at Forillon National Park. Some of the main projects announced were Phase 2 of the reconstruction of the Cap-des-Rosiers harbour, the reconstruction of the Operational Centre and Interpretation Centre and the restoration of heritage infrastructures used by visitors.
• Since 2009, close to $73 million has been invested to protect and present Forillon National Park.

 

Related Links

2016 – Year in review available on the Forillon National Park website

The Government of Canada Continues to Invest in the Parks Canada Network Located in the Gaspésie Region

Summer visitors flock to Land’s End for an outstanding 2016 tourist season in Gaspé-Forillon

 

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Contacts
Émilie Devoe
Public Relations and Communications Officer
Gaspésie Field Unit
Parks Canada  
418-368-5538
emilie.devoe@pc.gc.ca

 

Media Relations
Parks Canada
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca

Historical interpretation at L'Anse-Blanchette, Forillon National Park

Photo : Credit: Mathieu Dupuis