Canada National Park, Bruce Peninsula National Park - Research Paper Example

? Canada national Park A. Main features/characteristics of Bruce Peninsula National Park Worldwide, National Parks represent the geographical, ecological and environmental features of nations. Within this context, Bruce Peninsula National Park represents the geographical, ecological and environmental features of Canada. Bruce Peninsula National Park is situated in Bruce Peninsula, which is in Ontario, Canada. In addition, the national park is an integral part of Niagara Escarpment area. The total area of Bruce Peninsula National Park consists of 156 sq km and is recognized by UNESCO as Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve. It was established in the year 1987 and governed by Parks Canada. The most important geographical features include the rocks, cliffs, and Grottos (caves). The dolomite rocks that can be seen in the park are important because it consist of the fossils of plants and animals. So, one can easily identify that Bruce Peninsula National Park is archeologically and ecologically important. Within Bruce Peninsula National Park, steep cliffs in Bruce Trail and the sea shore in Georgian Bay are some of the important geographical features. Koenig (2005), states that “The peninsula can be characterized as an out-of-the-way place in a cultural as well as an ecological sense” (p.11). Some of the important plant and tree species include Yellow Lady's Slipper, Maidenhair Spleenwort and Eastern White Cedar (tree). The wildlife includes wild animals like bear, birds, plants and reptiles. Besides, the most important quality of the Bruce Peninsula National Park is its closeness to Niagara Escarpment area. So, the main features/ characteristics of Bruce Peninsula National Park qualify the same as an important national park which preserves flora and fauna without human encroachment and exploitation. B. Natural and cultural attractions at Bruce Peninsula National Park The natural attractions at Bruce Peninsula National Park are interconnected with its landscape (beaches, limestone cliffs, and forests). On the other side, the cultural attractions include the remaining of Paleozoic Era and the status as a World Biosphere Reserve within Niagara Escarpment. Besides, the facilities, natural and cultural identity, accommodation facilities and operation (proper functioning) act the role of a strong foundation to the natural and cultural attractions at Bruce Peninsula National Park. To be specific, some of the world renowned National Parks does not prove successful in attracting visitors and preserving nature. But Bruce Peninsula National Park is entirely different from other national parks. I. Facilities Most of the facilities that are considered as an integral part of tourism are available at Bruce Peninsula National Park. For instance, tourists who are interested in adventure can enjoy hiking, canoeing and kayaking. The tourists who are interested in sight seeing can enjoy the flora and fauna of Bruce Peninsula National Park. Goodwin (1995), makes clear that “The Bruce’s reputation as a haven for some of the province’s rarest and most attractive plants has drawn naturalists north to the peninsula, and it is now recognized for an outstanding array of breeding birds as well” (p.77). The tourists who are interested in learning more about the national park can participate in the educational programs conducted by the park authorities. As the park is open year round, tourists can conduct different types of camps according to their interest. For instance, Front Country Camping (say, 242 campsites) is an important attraction at Bruce Peninsula National Park. Other facilities provided by the park authorities include parking (parking lots), special care and attention for persons with disabilities and local community services (stores, groceries etc). From a different angle of view, the facilities provided by the park authorities are helpful for the tourists to choose facilities according to their needs. II. Natural and cultural identity Some of the most important places in Bruce Peninsula National Park with unique natural identity are pointed out here. Knowles (1998) makes clear that “From Southampton, the traveller can head east to Owen Sound, or north into the beauty of the Bruce Peninsula, with five hundred miles of rocky shoreline, fantastic views, and few people” (p.71).Within this context, Georgian Bay with different types of rocks (like limestone and sandstone), cliffs, caves etc provide matchless beauty to the bay and is an important natural identity. The Lake Huron is another natural identity of Bruce Peninsula National Park. Tobermory, another place in the park is renowned for native orchids. Besides, Niagara Escapement which is related to the Niagara Falls is another natural identity. The cultural identity of the Bruce Peninsula National Park is interconnected with the native history/ culture of the area. For instance, the earlier inhabitants of this area were Chippewas or the native people (see appendix-1). But the War of 1812 and related influx from other parts of North America created an atmosphere for cultural amalgamation. Razack (2002), states that “The non-stop violent encroachment forced the Saugeen Ojibway to surrender the Bruce Peninsula in 1854” (p.42). So, the present cultural identity of Bruce Peninsula National Park is based upon different cultural characteristics including Anishinaabegs, Chippewas and other races. III. Accommodation facilities One can see that availability of accommodation facility is one of the most important secrets behind the success of tourist destinations. The accommodation facilities at and around Bruce Peninsula National Park include resorts, motels, cottages and hotels. Within this context, accommodation facility at Bruce Peninsula is showing rapid growth because more and more resorts, hotels and cottages can be seen neat to this area. The visitors are allowed to camp within the park area, which is controlled by the Parks Canada authorities. The Central Bruce Peninsula Chamber of Commerce provides a variety of accommodation facilities to the tourists. Besides, tourists can collect further information on accommodation facilities from the Bruce County Tourism Office. The Innisfree bed and Breakfast in Tobermory provides breakfast and lodging for the tourists. The Lion's Head Inn (Lion's Head), Tamarac Island Resort (near to Lake Huron), and Tobermory Holiday Ranch Cottage Rental (Tobermory) are the other accommodation providers in Bruce Peninsula. IV. How the park is operated The Bruce Peninsula National Park is under Parks Canada, an agency under the government of Canada. Camenson (2004), states that “Parks Canada protects and preserves the natural and cultural resources found in the country’s parks” (p.58). At Bruce Peninsula National Park, there is a number of Park Wardens who are authorized to protect the park from encroachments. For instance, the Park Wardens are authorized to protect and provide proper guidance to the visitors. As the visitors are allowed to visit the park during spring season, summer season, fall season and winter season, the responsibility undertaken by the park authorities is utmost important. From a different angle of view, the Bruce Peninsula National Park is the integral part of Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve. So, the activities inside the park strictly follow the conservation measures implemented by the government. As pointed out earlier, the Parks Canada co-ordinates the operation of Bruce Peninsula National Park. In short, the Bruce Peninsula National Park operates with the help of park authorities, Parks Canada, federal government and the local authorities. C. Challenges faced by the Bruce Peninsula National Park management and remedial measures adopted I. Challenges The challenges faced by the Bruce Peninsula National Park can be broadly divided into three: abiotic land use, biotic vegetation and cultural. But Human Kinetics (an organization) (2005), states that “The national park system in Canada is large, popular, well funded, and growing” (p.81). The major challenges related to land use are pollution and habitat change. Within this context, the protection of shore is an important challenge. On the other side, protection of biotic vegetation like rare plant species and aquatic vegetation is important. Besides, due importance must be given to the protection of wildlife within Bruce Peninsula National Park area. Hunter Publishing (2005) makes clear that “Park staff offers guided walks and other programs during the summer” (p.86). The cultural challenges include the protection of archaeological resources and cultural sites. II. Planning The initial step adopted by the park authorities to protect the park is the formation of Park Advisory Committee. This advisory committee is authorized to strengthen the management efforts undertaken by the authorities. Campbell (2005), states that “The National Parks Act was amended in 1988 to make ecological integrity the priority consideration in park planning, and parks such as Georgian Bay Islands and Bruce Peninsula developed “ecological conservation plans” to assess the park’s health as part of a larger ecosystem”(p. 183). Within the context of planning, Parks Canada plays an important role co-ordinating the process. The Ecosystem Conservation Plan is an important step to strengthen and co-ordinate the efforts undertaken by the park authorities, Parks Canada and the Park Advisory Committee. III. Obstacles To be specific, human interaction with wild animals is an important obstacle faced the park. For instance, when the visitors try to feed the wild animals like bears in the park, it leads to further problems (see appendix-2). Besides, some of the reptiles like Eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes have become rare and considered as endangered species. These problems are related to the over exposure and interaction with human beings. The growth of tourism sector resulted in the construction of more and more buildings around the park. This leads to pollution and affects the ecological balance of the park as a whole. IV. Initiatives As pointed out, the formation of Park Advisory Committee is an important initiative to protect the park from geographical, ecological and cultural problems. For instance, the preparation of Ecosystem Conservation Plan by the Heritage Resources Centre at the University of Waterloo (1997) is one of the important measures adopted to protect the park. This project was helpful to identify the geographical, ecological and cultural problems faced by the park. Besides, the formation of Geographic Information System database was helpful to identify the problems faced by the park. References Camenson, B. (2004). Careers for plant lovers & other green thumb types. USA: McGraw-Hill Professional. Campbell, C. E. (2005). Shaped by the west wind: nature and history in Georgian Bay. Canada: UBC Press. Goodwin, C. E. (1995). A bird-finding guide to Ontario. Canada: University of Toronto Press. Human Kinetics. (2005). Introduction to recreation and leisure. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Hunter Publishing. (2005). Hiking in Ontario. Canada: Ulysses Travel Guides. Koenig, E. C. (2005). Cultures and ecologies: a native fishing conflict on the Saugeen-Bruce peninsula. Canada: University of Toronto Press. Knowles, P. (1998). Niagara & Southwestern Ontario: A Colourguide. Halifax, N S: Formac Publishing Company. Razack, S. (2002). Race, space, and the law: unmapping a white settler society. Ontario, Canada: Between The Lines. Appendices Appendix-1 A member of Chippewa tribe Available at: - http://www.thebrucepeninsula.com/native.html Appendix-2 A black bear at the park searching for food in garbage Available at: - http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/on/bruce/natcul/natcul2.aspx Read More