Kejimkujik Scotia

Kejimkujik Kan Nova Park Scotia Kejimkujik Introducing a Park and an Idea dome-shaped hills by the powerful glacial ice. The western and river otter thrive along the waterways. All are pro Canada covers half a continent, fronts on three oceans, portion is higher and consists mainly of granite rock tected and must not be molested or disturbed in any way. and stretches from the extreme Arctic more than halfway formed much later than the rocks in the eastern part. Bird life is abundant both in the woods and on the to the Equator. water. Again, birds live in zones which supply their needs There is a great variety of land forms in this immense Plants for food and shelter. Often seen on the lakes where they country, and national parks have been created to preserve Plant life in Kejimkujik National Park reflects the influ nest are common loons, great black-backed and herring examples for you and for generations to come. ence of climate and historical factors. After the last ice of gulls, osprey, and black ducks. Blue jay, gray jay, robin, Kejimkujik, approximately 145 square miles in area, is the Pleistocene melted, plants invaded this area from two veery, slate-coloured junco, and countless sparrows and a superb example of inland Nova Scotia, with its lakes, major plant zones. The northern hardwood forest of warblers are active in the woods. Colourful woodpeckers streams, and forests. Under development since 1964, the eastern North America and the northern coniferous forest are numerous here, and even the large pileated wood land was a gift from the people of Nova Scotia. of northern Canada meet here and intermingle. pecker is sometimes seen. National The park was named after its largest lake. Kejimkujik Almost all of the forest has either been logged or burned The park and vicinity have more types of reptiles and is a Micmac Indian word, meaning "place that swells". Its within the past 200 years, but regeneration is rapid, owing to amphibians than any other area in eastern Canada except significance in relation to the lake is obscure. the favourable climate. The forest is generally a mixture southern Ontario. Five species of salamanders, eight Nova The National Parks Act of 1930 specifies that national of hardwoods and conifers, but pure stands occur where species of frogs and toads, five species of snakes, and three parks are "dedicated to the people for their benefit, local conditions are favourable to particular species. Red oak, species of turtles survive here owing to the mild climate. education and enjoyment", and must remain "unimpaired sugar maple, beech, and white birch grow on the hills and They escape the winter by hibernating. Possibly relics Scotia for future generations." on other well-drained soil. In the lower, wetter areas grow from a warmer climatic period from 6,000 to 4,000 years red maple, black spruce, red spruce, and larch. Hemlock ago, the ribbon snake and Blanding's turtle are unique to this area in the Atlantic Provinces. How To Get The Most Out Of Your Visit thrives along the rivers and lakes. White pine is scattered You are urged to take full advantage of the park's free everywhere and pure stands grow on abandoned farmland Game fish found in Kejimkujik include eastern brook interpretive program. It will help you understand and near the park entrance. Wire birch and balsam fir also grow trout, European brown trout, and white perch. The warm, Park on land that has been farmed, logged, or burned over. shallow water is not ideally suited to trout. appreciate how climate, land formations, plants, and animals are interrelated. You'll discover a meaning in A small portion of the park contains plants normally The fish hatchery at Grafton Lake, operated by the what you see around you, and your stay in Kejimkujik found much farther south, such as green brier and witch federal Department of Fisheries, is a pleasant spot to visit. National Park will be more rewarding. hazel. This has led botanists to suggest that these plants entered Nova Scotia over the exposed coastal plain at a A brief Park History time when the sea level was much lower. Hundreds of years before the first Europeans discovered The Park Environment Wildflowers are most abundant in the spring before the Canada, these woods were the winter home of the nomadic Each national park has its own character, its unique story hardwood trees form a shade canopy over the forest floor. Micmac Indians. After fishing all summer on Nova as a living, outdoor museum. The Kejimkujik story is the Typical flowers are mayflower or trailing arbutus, violet, Scotia's coasts, they moved inland in search of caribou charm of numerous lakes, with countless islands and starflower, painted trillium, common lady slipper orchid, and other game, and often camped beside the rivers and concealed coves, the diversity of gently rolling landscapes, spotted coral-root orchid, bunchberry, and wild iris. lakes of Kejimkujik. Primitive arrow-heads and pottery and a mixture of coniferous and hardwood forests. Goldenrod and aster are plentiful in late summer. have been found in the park, and rock etchings, or petro- Poison ivy is present here and should oe avoided. glyphs, on the lakeshore depict Micmac legends. After Land of Lakes Large, treeless bogs often border lakes and low-lying wet about 200 years of contact with Europeans, the Micmac The flat landscape and abundance of lakes in Kejimkujik areas. They are crowded with low, hardy shrubs which was greatly reduced in numbers and Indian reservations National Park are a heritage of the last ice age in Canada, belong to the heath family, including rhodora, leather leaf, were established, one of which was at Kejimkujik Lake. when thick glaciers scoured the rocks and gouged shallow labrador tea, and sheep laurel. Huckleberry and blueberry In 1842 there were about 40 Micmacs here, but they soon lakes. After the climate warmed and the ice melted, huge are abundant on poor, acidic soil. wandered on. granite boulders carried by the ice were scattered across In the 1820's the surrounding communities of Maitland the land and left in the lakes. Animals Bridge and New Grafton were settled, and a few farms The largest lake is Kejimkujik, which is about five Animals, like plants, depend on suitable environment for were cleared on the present park. miles long and three miles wide. It is fed by three rivers, survival. Chipmunks feed on the abundant nuts and seeds The park is largely unsuited to farming and settlement, but drained by only one, the Mersey. One large area of found in hardwood forests in the park, and survive the but has been heavily logged in the past. In early times the lake is so shallow and rocky that it is hazardous for winter by hibernating. Often seen in the mixed woods are white pine and red oak were cut and floated down the boating. Local sportsmen call it the "granite barrens". red squirrel and white-tailed deer, while porcupine make Mersey River to help build sailing ships along the coast. The layer of glacial soil left behind after the ice melted their home in hemlock stands. Black bears are occasionally Numerous sawmills also operated within the park, and in is generally thin and rocky, and covers the underlying seen in remote areas, especially in bogs where huckle more recent years conifers were cut for the manufacture parent rock, except in a few places. The eastern portion of berries or blueberries grow. of pulp and paper. the park is underlain by slates and quartzites of very Active at night, and rarely seen, are raccoon, bobcat, Since about the turn of this century, the Kejimkujik ancient origin. Here the deeper soil was later pushed into varying hare, and northern flying squirrel. Beaver, muskrat, wilderness has been widely known as a sportsman's par- adise. A rod and gun club operated on Jim Charles Point Fishing — Fishing in the park is by permit, available from Where To Get Information as early as 1909, and catered to paying guests soon after. vendors in nearby communities outside the park. The sport Prospective visitors may obtain information on Kejimkujik Other resorts and private cottages were also active until is governed by Nova Scotia fishing regulations, copies of by writing to the Superintendent, Kejimkujik National the area became a national park. which may be obtained at the information office and from Park, Maitland Bridge, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia. permit vendors. Requests for information on other national parks should How To Get There be addressed to The Director, National and Historic The only way to reach the park is by car or boat. The road Some Don'ts Parks Branch, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern entrance is at Maitland Bridge on Highway 8, which runs Initialling, marking, collecting, removing, or damaging Development, Ottawa. north-south from Annapolis Royal to Liverpool, Nova any rock, fossil, structure, soil - any part of the environ Upon arrival, assistance may be obtained from the Scotia. The park is accessible by motor boat via the Mersey ment—are expressly forbidden. So are picking flowers and information office, about three-quarters of a mile from River and by canoe from several other directions as well. removing or damaging plants or trees. No plant life, no the park entrance. Uniformed staff will answer questions, Amphibious aircraft may not land in the park except matter how abundant, is exempt from this restriction. provide maps, outline travel routes, and tell you about the with prior permission from the superintendent. Feeding bears and harassing, capturing, or killing any various areas and facilities in the park.

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