Forillon National Park of Canada Spring 2005
Forillon Location Vegetation Forillon National Park is on a narrow, National Park of Canada Forillon's astonishing plant diversity is mountainous peninsula in southeastern attributed to ten distinct ecosystems: forest, Québec that extends into the Gulf of St. Pronounced “For - ee - yaw” cliffs, alpine meadows, fallow field, dunes, Lawrence. The park was established in 2 lakes, streams, shores, and both freshwater 1970, and protects 240 km of land, and saltwater marshes. Forest represents Climate including a 0.16 km wide, 25 km long 95% of the land, and includes both boreal and ribbon of marine water along the coast. mixed trees, particularly yellow birch, white Forillon enjoys a fairly mild climate because of the The park protects a sample of the Notre- birch, maple, and fir. Some 69 plant moderating effects of the gulf. The average Dame and Megantic Mountains Natural oo communities have been identified, harboring temperatures range from 17 C (July) to -10 C (Jan.). In Region, and its marine component almost 700 species. The alpine meadowlands general, precipitation is abundant in the park. The represents the Gulf of St. Lawrence within the park provide a home for 113 plant total yearly precipitation averages 100 mm. Within the Natural Marine Region. Forillon is species that are usually found in arctic or park, distance from the sea, altitude, prevailing winds, located in the Atlantic Maritime Ecozone. and physical features produce markedly varied alpine locations. climatic conditions. Geology Wildlife The park is situated in a sea cliff region that marks the Though in essence a marine park, Forillon northern end of the Appalachian mountain chain. The features a generous complement of land Activities park is an ideal site for exploring geologic formations, mammals, including white-tailed deer, of which ten distinct types are seen. Layers of marine moose, red fox, Canadian lynx, black bear, Public transportation is restricted to the sediments (limestone, sandstone) represent porcupine, mink, coyote, and snowshoe hare. northern and southern sectors of the park. Ordovician, Silurian, and Devonian periods in In the adjacent waters, one can find whales Hiking, bicycle, ski, and horse trails are geologic time. Perpendicular cliffs rise above the and seals. Grey and harbour seals use the offered, as well as three campgrounds with a south shore, while a more rolling landscape exists in shorelines. Marine invertebrates such as total of 367 sites, plus one group camp. In the northern half of the park. mussels, sea urchins, crabs, and lobsters live addition to camping, there are opportunities in the shallow coastal waters. Birds, for picnics, fishing, diving, and swimming, as G well as birdwatching and interpretive r ul especially marine species, are plentiful on e f v o i f
R St. the peninsula, with over 245 species counted programs. There are two Visitor Centres Law re
n nc within the park.
o in the park. Species include gannets,
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River G cormorants, kittiwakes, gulls, razorbills,
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a ve des Rosiers Ri ap herons, and guillemots, as well as sparrows, e
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n
'A L warblers, jays, woodpeckers, thrushes, small penguins, and 26 different birds of prey. The For more information, contact: most abundant raptors are northern harriers, Forillon National Park kestrels, rough-legged hawks, and ospreys. 122, boulevard Gaspé e Gasp Gaspé, Québec G0C 1R0 Bay of Between the years 1988-1990, a cooperative venture with the Canadian Wildlife Service Telephone: (418) 368-5505 0 5 875 m Fax: (418) 368-6837 Gaspe saw 29 peregrine falcons released in the park © Parks Canada Website: www.pc.gc.ca/forillon in an effort to re-establish this endangered species. Forillon National Park of Canada Spring 2005
Forillon Location Vegetation Forillon National Park is on a narrow, National Park of Canada Forillon's astonishing plant diversity is mountainous peninsula in southeastern attributed to ten distinct ecosystems: forest, Québec that extends into the Gulf of St. Pronounced “For - ee - yaw” cliffs, alpine meadows, fallow field, dunes, Lawrence. The park was established in 2 lakes, streams, shores, and both freshwater 1970, and protects 240 km of land, and saltwater marshes. Forest represents Climate including a 0.16 km wide, 25 km long 95% of the land, and includes both boreal and ribbon of marine water along the coast. mixed trees, particularly yellow birch, white Forillon enjoys a fairly mild climate because of the The park protects a sample of the Notre- birch, maple, and fir. Some 69 plant moderating effects of the gulf. The average Dame and Megantic Mountains Natural oo communities have been identified, harboring temperatures range from 17 C (July) to -10 C (Jan.). In Region, and its marine component almost 700 species. The alpine meadowlands general, precipitation is abundant in the park. The represents the Gulf of St. Lawrence within the park provide a home for 113 plant total yearly precipitation averages 100 mm. Within the Natural Marine Region. Forillon is species that are usually found in arctic or park, distance from the sea, altitude, prevailing winds, located in the Atlantic Maritime Ecozone. and physical features produce markedly varied alpine locations. climatic conditions. Geology Wildlife The park is situated in a sea cliff region that marks the Though in essence a marine park, Forillon northern end of the Appalachian mountain chain. The features a generous complement of land Activities park is an ideal site for exploring geologic formations, mammals, including white-tailed deer, of which ten distinct types are seen. Layers of marine moose, red fox, Canadian lynx, black bear, Public transportation is restricted to the sediments (limestone, sandstone) represent porcupine, mink, coyote, and snowshoe hare. northern and southern sectors of the park. Ordovician, Silurian, and Devonian periods in In the adjacent waters, one can find whales Hiking, bicycle, ski, and horse trails are geologic time. Perpendicular cliffs rise above the and seals. Grey and harbour seals use the offered, as well as three campgrounds with a south shore, while a more rolling landscape exists in shorelines. Marine invertebrates such as total of 367 sites, plus one group camp. In the northern half of the park. mussels, sea urchins, crabs, and lobsters live addition to camping, there are opportunities in the shallow coastal waters. Birds, for picnics, fishing, diving, and swimming, as G well as birdwatching and interpretive r ul especially marine species, are plentiful on e f v o i f
R St. the peninsula, with over 245 species counted programs. There are two Visitor Centres Law re
n nc within the park.
o in the park. Species include gannets,
f e Mo f
rris i r
River G cormorants, kittiwakes, gulls, razorbills,
u r N
a ve des Rosiers Ri ap herons, and guillemots, as well as sparrows, e s C n
'A L warblers, jays, woodpeckers, thrushes, small penguins, and 26 different birds of prey. The For more information, contact: most abundant raptors are northern harriers, Forillon National Park kestrels, rough-legged hawks, and ospreys. 122, boulevard Gaspé e Gasp Gaspé, Québec G0C 1R0 Bay of Between the years 1988-1990, a cooperative venture with the Canadian Wildlife Service Telephone: (418) 368-5505 0 5 875 m Fax: (418) 368-6837 Gaspe saw 29 peregrine falcons released in the park © Parks Canada Website: www.pc.gc.ca/forillon in an effort to re-establish this endangered species.