Fundy National Park of Canada Management Plan NOVEMBER 2011 Fundy National Park of Canada Management Plan ii © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Chief Executive Officer of Parks Canada, 2011. Cette publication est aussi disponible en français. National Library of Canada cataloguing in publication data: Parks Canada Fundy National Park of Canada management plan [electronic resource]. Electronic monograph in PDF format. Issued also in French under the title: Parc national du Canada Fundy, plan directeur. Issued also in printed form. ISBN 978-1-100-13552-6 Cat. no.: R64-105/80-2010E-PDF 1. Fundy National Park (N.B.)—Management. 2. National parks and reserves—New Brunswick—Management. 3. National parks and reserves—Canada—Management. I. Title. FC2464 F85 P37 2010 971.5’31 C2009-980240-6 For more information about the management plan or about Fundy National Park of Canada: Fundy National Park of Canada P.O. Box 1001, Fundy National Park, Alma, New Brunswick Canada E4H 1B4 tel: 506-887-6000, fax: 506-887-6008 e-mail: [email protected] www.parkscanada.gc.ca/fundy Front Cover top images: Chris Reardon, 2009 bottom image: Chris Reardon, 2009 Fundy National Park of Canada iii Management Plan Foreword Canada’s national historic sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas are part of a century-strong Parks Canada network which provides Canadians and visitors from around the world with unique opportunities to experience and embrace our wonderful country. From our smallest national park to our most visited national historic site to our largest national marine conservation area, each of Canada’s treasured places offers many opportunities to enjoy Canada’s historic and natural heritage. These places serve as sources of inspiration, relaxation, learning and discovery. They represent the very best that Canada has to offer, and it is through these special places that we are all deeply connected to what it means to be Canadian. Having been entrusted with this important legacy for over a hundred years, we reflect upon the steady growth of the Parks Canada network of protected areas as we continue to expand it. As we plan for the years to come, we can encourage lasting connections to our heritage and promote our protected places to be enjoyed in ways that leave them unimpaired for present and future generations. We see a future in which these special places will further Canadians’ appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of Canada, the economic well-being of communities, and the vitality of our society. Our Government’s vision is to build a culture of heritage conservation in Canada by offering Canadians exceptional opportunities to build personal connections with our natural and cultural heritage. These values form the foundation of the new management plan for Fundy National Park of Canada. I offer my appreciation to the many thoughtful Canadians who helped to develop this plan, particularly to our dedicated team from Parks Canada, and to all those local organizations and individuals who have demonstrated their good will, hard work, spirit of co-operation and extraordinary sense of stewardship. In this same spirit of partnership and responsibility, I am pleased to approve the Fundy National Park of Canada Management Plan. Peter Kent Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada iv Fundy National Park of Canada v Management Plan Recommendations Recommended by: Alan Latourelle Chief Executive Officer Parks Canada Blair Pardy Field Unit Superintendent Southern New Brunswick Field Unit Parks Canada vi Fundy National Park of Canada vii Management Plan Executive Summary This management plan for Fundy National the protected heritage place will be managed, Park of Canada provides strategic direction and how the three mandate elements will be for achieving Parks Canada’s mandate related achieved in a mutually supportive manner. to the protection of ecological and cultural A description of the three key strategies resources; the facilitation of meaningful visitor developed for Fundy National Park can be experiences; and fostering public appreciation found below. and understanding of Parks Canada’s herit- age places in an integrated fashion. The plan KEY STRATEGY 1: WORKING WITHIN AND was developed by a multi-disciplinary plan- BEYOND OUR BOUNDARIES TO PROTECT ning team with input received from Aboriginal OUR ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY peoples, partners, stakeholders, staff, visitors, Fundy National Park (FNP) protects repre- and the public. The Mi’gmag and Wolastoqiyik sentative areas of two important ecological (Maliseet) of New Brunswick were involved regions – the Fundy Coastal and the Southern through a consultation process to develop the Uplands – however the park cannot attain its management plan. The management plan will ecological integrity goals alone. This strategy be the primary public accountability document seeks to improve the ecological health of the for the park and provides Parks Canada staff park by building on strong relationships with with a framework for decision-making. partners and stakeholders in the region and to The management plan includes: improve and influence conservation in south- • a vision for the future; ern New Brunswick. Visitors and the public • three key strategies that will guide the will be engaged through innovative steward- direction of the park over the next ten ship and outreach education opportunities to fifteen years; with an emphasis on aquatic ecosystem pro- • two area management approaches gramming. Fundy National Park’s efforts will which provide strategic direction for focus on engaging New Brunswick Aboriginal the Headquarters Area and the communities, partners, stakeholders, and local Wolfe Lake area; communities in the protection and presenta- • a zoning plan that classifies park lands tion of the park. according to their need for protection; Partners and stakeholders will have • a summary of the administration and oper- opportunities to influence and contribute ations for the park, including the park’s to park activities, and their involvement in environmental stewardship strategy; management planning will be carried out in • a summary of the Strategic Environmental ways that meet their needs and expectations. Assessment (SEA) conducted for this Where common ecological integrity goals exist, management plan; and FNP continues to support conservation and • an implementation strategy that summar- education efforts with adjacent landowners, izes the planned actions. organizations, and government departments. Involvement with multi-stakeholder part- The key strategies found within this plan ners such as the Fundy Biosphere Reserve provide concrete direction for addressing the provides important opportunities to dem- major challenges and opportunities facing onstrate an integrated delivery of the PCA the park and focus on efforts and resources mandate and support sustainable tourism required to achieve the park’s long-term vision. efforts. Building and strengthening relation- The strategies provide a clear overview of how ships with Aboriginal communities and groups viii is paramount. The creation of an Aboriginal Reserve and all the experiences they offer. Advisory Committee and the continued rela- Together, they will become a world-class tionships being developed with Mi’gmag and destination. FNP will be recognized as a major Wolastoqiyik conservation networks will help sustainable, four-season, tourism destina- guide FNP on Aboriginal issues and identify tion by regional, national, and international opportunities to work on mutually beneficial visitors. This will build on the existing aware- initiatives. ness of the park and visitor experience oppor- The ongoing restoration of aquatic eco- tunities, increase exposure to wider audiences, systems continues to be the highest ecological and inevitably attract more visitors. FNP will integrity priority for the park. Park conserva- work with its partners and stakeholders to tion efforts have great potential to engage coordinate efforts to realize this endeavour. visitors and facilitate meaningful visitor Through focused research and analysis, the experiences. A diversity of programs that focus park will better understand its current and on enjoyment, discovery and learning will potential markets. By completing reviews of expand and evolve to meet the needs and inter- its activities and services, the park will be able ests of visitors and promote repeat visitation. to meet visitor needs and interests by keeping Conservation efforts that have potential to be what works and enhancing or developing what incorporated into public outreach programs to is needed to respond to evolving trends. connect Canadians with Fundy National Park will be explored. KEY STRATEGY 3: UNCOVERING AND COMMUNICATING OUR PARK’S UNTOLD KEY STRATEGY 2: CREATING CONNECTION STORIES IN THE LAND OF “SALT AND Fir” TO FUNDY NATIONAL PARK – changing WITH The Fundy National Park area is rich in human THE TIMES history stories distinct to the Upper Bay of This strategy seeks to develop new oppor- Fundy. This strategy focuses on discovering tunities unique to the Bay of Fundy area to and telling the stories of people’s relation- connect the public to this spectacular region. ship to the park, and sharing this knowledge These evolving opportunities will be based and their experiences for the enjoyment of all on a better understanding of the needs and Canadians. There is great potential for FNP to expectations of our urban and rural