Skip to main content
Text: Native Plant Crossroads. Photo: Bunchberry, Cornus canadensis. Text logo: nature.ca / Canadian Museum of Nature.
Text: Home. Text: What You Can Do. Text: Conservation Issues. Text: Resources. Text: Glossary. Text: Français.

Home > What You Can Do > People in Action > Life in the Limestone Barrens

People in Action

Life in the Limestone Barrens
by Dulcie House

Although a native of the Great Northern Peninsula of the island of Newfoundland, in 2001 I found myself on a steep learning curve about my own backyard. I was working as a reporter/photographer for the peninsula's weekly newspaper when I first heard about the area's unique ecosystem -- limestone barrens -- and its species at risk.

Long's braya, Braya longii.
View larger version.Long's braya (Braya longii) is unique to the Limestone Barrens, and it is endangered.

Barrens willow, Salix jejuna.
View larger version.Barrens willow (Salix jejuna) is unique to the Limestone Barrens, and it is endangered.

I was amazed to find out that there are native plants growing on the limestone barrens that are not found anywhere else in the world. My quest to know more about this special place that I call home landed me in the position of program coordinator for the Limestone Barrens Habitat Stewardship Program.

Regrettably, human activity, including all-terrain vehicle use, gravel removal and dumping, has damaged important sections of the barrens. Now, as a direct result of implementation of the stewardship program, local people are engaging in activities that promote responsible use of the barrens:

  • A local women's institute crafted a quilt depicting plants and a map of the area's unique flora. The quilt is being displayed during presentations about the stewardship program at local community meetings.
  • Lesson plans are being implemented in local schools.
  • Youth groups have developed material and conducted guided tours.
  • Students at Memorial University of Newfoundland have carried out scientific studies and recovery actions on the barrens through the Endangered Species Recovery Fund.
  • Local residents are pledging to preserve the rare plants and unique habitat of the limestone barrens for future generations: A Community Working Group has been established. Straits Elementary School, the municipality of Flower's Cove, and landowners in Sandy Cove have signed stewardship agreements to promote and protect the habitat.

Dulcie House, Stella Mailman and the quilt.
View larger version.Dulcie House (left) and Stella Mailman, president of the Port au Choix branch of the Newfoundland and Labrador Women's Institute, display the quilt crafted by women of the institute, which depicts flora of the Limestone Barrens.

A group at the Sandy Cove climate station.
View larger version.Checking on equipment and data at a climate-monitoring station site at Sandy Cove that provides data about the area and its unique ecosystem. Dr. Trevor Bell (front left) from the Geography Department at Memorial University of Newfoundland is joined by Parks Canada employee Floyd O'Keefe (front right), Jean Hoddinott of the Limestone Barrens Habitat Stewardship Program (back left), and local landowners Madeline and Ren White (back centre and right, respectively).

 

Text: Top of page. Illustration of an arrowhead.

About Dulcie House

Dulcie House.

Dulcie House is the program coordinator of the Limestone Barrens Habitat Stewardship Program, which is a multi-faceted program for the limestone barrens of the Great Northern Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland (in Newfoundland and Labrador). Her active role in the conservation of the barrens draws on a variety of skill and experience and will make a long-term contribution to preservation of the habitat.

 

 
 
Home | What You Can Do | Conservation Issues | Resources | Glossary | Contact Us | Français
© nature.ca Important Notices
A Canadian Museum of Nature Web site, developed by the Canadian Centre for Biodiversity.
Last Update: 2008-02-04
Images: Corel, Dulcie House, Spencer Osberg