2019 Gros Morne National Park Announcement Conservation & Restoration and Federal Infrastructure Investment Programs

Gros Morne National Park

Gros Morne National Park protects a portion of the Newfoundland Highlands and St. Lawrence Lowlands ecoregions. It is an extraordinary place that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its towering cliffs, dramatic fjord valleys, glacial lakes, coastal bogs, dunes, and highland plateaus, Gros Morne’s landscape ranks among the most spectacular and diverse in Canada. In addition to its outstanding natural beauty, its glacier-scoured highlands and spectacular fjords reveal many significant geological features. The rocks here collectively present an illustration of the process of continental drift along the eastern coast of North America. They contribute greatly to the body of knowledge and understanding of plate tectonics and to the geological evolution of ancient mountain belts. 

Conservation & Restoration Funding

Project name: Return of the King: Evaluating and adapting proven methods in endangered salmon restoration for broad-scale benefits

Estimated total: $626K

Project description: This project aims to increase the number of salmon spawning in Trout River through an augmentation program. This restoration effort will move the Trout River salmon population out of imminent danger of extirpation, ensure the long term sustainability of the population and improve the ecological integrity at Gros Morne National Park by 2024. This funding will go towards a number of activities, including outreach and interpretation programs and a salmon population augmentation program. The goal is to increase the Trout River spawning population to 55-90 salmon. Parks Canada will monitor the population to determine the project’s success.

To achieve these goals, Gros Morne National Park will work with Indigenous partners and industry to restore Atlantic Salmon within an adaptive management framework, using common measures of success. Three other Atlantic National Parks (Fundy, Cape Breton Highlands and Kouchibouguac) will also receive funding to carry out similar activities in their areas, and will work together to share best practices.

Parks Canada is a world leader in science-based ecological conservation and restoration. Through its Conservation and Restoration Program, Parks Canada takes actions to preserve national parks and contribute to the recovery of species-at-risk.

Federal Infrastructure Project Funding

Project Name: Lomond, Trout River and Shallow Bay campground improvements

Estimated Total: $2.6M

Project Description: Parks Canada will invest in improvements to existing park structures and service buildings at Lomond Campground, Trout River Campground and Shallow Bay Campground. This will include improvements to the day use areas and upgrades to campground service structures which will include kitchen shelters, inclusive washrooms and showers. The modernization of these three campgrounds builds on the successful improvements made to previously completed federal infrastructure projects at Berry Hill and Green Point campgrounds. Approximately $2.3 million has already been invested in these two campgrounds.

Investments in visitor infrastructure – such as campgrounds and day use areas – will ensure the quality and reliability of Parks Canada’s facilities and continue to allow Canadians to connect with nature.

These projects are part of the Government of Canada’s $3 billion infrastructure investment program at Parks Canada’s places nationwide.

Regional Economic Growth through Innovation Program Funding

Project Name: Gros Morne Institute for Sustainable Tourism Inc.

Estimated Total: $933,000 (Parks Canada is also providing a $40,000 in-kind contribution)

Project Description: Gros Morne Institute for Sustainable Tourism Inc. (GMIST) is proposing to develop a new 36-month training and development program that will build on the success of previous programs and deepen the Institute’s emphasis on visitor experience with a key focus on culinary, heritage and culture, and community development. GMIST’s principles of sustainable tourism will continue to be central to the development and delivery of the new programming, which will include various training courses, workshops, mentorship opportunities, and specialized community programming.

Based in Rocky Harbour, GMIST is a non-profit organization that offers training programs and development support services to advance the quality and success of tourism operators and destinations throughout Atlantic Canada. Its goal is to enhance the quality and sustainability of tourism experiences by providing support and training in various areas, including: sustainable tourism practices, experiential tourism, tourism community development, culinary tourism and Indigenous tourism.

Government of Canada funding for this project will support a number of activities such as product development, marketing activities, and website development, as well as help with travel and salary costs associated with the new program.