News Release Archive
NEWS RELEASE (CNS709) -->> NATURAL RESOURCES--MUNROE'S ISLAND DESIGNATED A PROVINCIAL PARK NATURAL RESOURCES--MUNROE'S ISLAND DESIGNATED A PROVINCIAL PARK ----------------------------------------------------------------- Munroe's Island, Pictou County, has been formally designated a provincial park by Natural Resources Minister Eleanor Norrie. In order to preserve the island's natural heritage values, the island has been incorporated with Caribou Provincial Park to form the newly-named Caribou-Munroe's Island Provincial Park. "Munroe's Island is one of the few remaining natural areas along the province's Northumberland shore," said Mrs. Norrie. "The island's relatively undisturbed and diverse coastal habitat provides valuable wildlife habitat and offers excellent opportunities for outdoor education and natural appreciation." The island became a provincial park through the efforts of the Nature Conservancy of Canada. In 1991, the conservancy acquired the three private properties on the island in partnership with the provincial government. These lands were donated to the province in October, 1992. This 113-hectare island, located approximately 16 kilometres north of Pictou, contains beautiful sand beaches, white spruce forests and salt marshes. Munroe's Island has two dune systems, one located along the western end of the island and the second connects the island to the mainland. These natural features provide important habitat for a variety of flora and fauna, in particular bald eagles, great blue herons, white-tailed deer, shore birds and waterfowl. A plan for the whole park is being prepared, which will focus on the protection and management of Munroe's Island. The enlarged park is expected to be designated a natural environment park under the Parks Act. The public can continue to access Munroe's Island, but hunting, trapping and vehicle access will not be allowed. -30- Contact: Susan Mader Zinck 902-424-2354 trp Oct. 24, 1996 - 2:50 p.m.