MOUNTAIN LIFE - Blue Mountains | Spring 2019

SPRING 2019 ML BLUE 17 Driftwood Cove is now on the list of federally protected natural areas in Canada.This ecologically and culturally significant piece of the northeastern Bruce Peninsula has finally integrated into the Bruce Peninsula National Park (BPNP). Late last year, a collaboration between Parks Canada and the Bruce Trail Conservancy finalized the purchase of the Driftwood Cove property. The area offers high views of Georgian Bay, hikes across cobble beaches and along limestone cliffs, and access to the Bruce Trail amid some of the oldest tree stands in eastern Canada. The newly acquired land brings 3,272 new acres of Niagara Escarpment wilderness and 6.5 kilometres of shoreline to the existing BPNP. “The acquisition of this parcel of land allows Parks Canada to protect one of the largest remaining wild places in southern Ontario, securing a remarkable stretch of rugged shoreline in a Great Lakes ecosystem,” explains John Festarini, Parks Superintendent for BPNP. “This investment is a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity for BPNP and a true legacy for Canadians.” Driftwood Cove is home to rare and ancient cliff-edge ecosystems (including 1000-year-old eastern white cedar), federally listed species at risk, and critical habitats for keystone species including black bear and bat. The first official national park in Canada, Banff National Park in Alberta, was established for its scenery and unique geology and managed with a focus on tourism and resource extraction. Fortunately, Parks Canada management has shifted over the years to integrating environmental protection and the visitor experience. It’s a fine balance between protecting ecology and providing a space where people can experience nature through outdoor recreation. BPNP is guided by a management plan, a key planning tool that outlines strategies and actions for maintaining the ecological and cultural integrity of the park. The updated plan is currently being revamped with public consultations, open houses and discussions with Indigenous partners. An ideal way to experience the BPNP is to hike along the Bruce Trail as it winds its way through the Driftwood Cove property. This is Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath and follows the Niagara Escarpment from Niagara to Tobermory. The eight-kilometre section of the trail here has been maintained for decades by the volunteers of the Peninsula Bruce Trail Club. “The trail has been on this property for over 50 years and made accessible to the public through the generosity of a private land owner,” says Leah Meyers, CEO for the Bruce Trail Conservancy. With the Driftwood Cove purchase, the trail is now protected inside the BPNP. Meyers adds: “The acquisition of Driftwood Cove is a wonderful partnership between the Bruce Trail Conservancy and Parks Canada.” —Laura Raimondi UP FRONT DRIFTWOOD WINDFALL Over 3,000 acres added to Bruce Peninsula National Park “One of the last remaining wild places in southern Ontario”: Driftwood Cove. PARKS CANADA/ETHAN MELEG