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Community Involvement


Stewardship of the Great Northern Peninsula’s "limestone barrens" is a shared responsibility.

Wide acceptance of this shared responsibility has been demonstrated by the engagement of the many partners of the Limestone Barrens Habitat Stewardship Program (LBHSP) who have participated in significant stewardship initiatives.

One striking example of community involvement is a committee that was formed in Sandy Cove a few years ago.

Sandy Cove Limestone Barrens Action Committee (SCLBAC)

    On May 10th, 2010 a group of local residents formed the Sandy Cove Limestone Barrens Action Committee (SCLBAC).

    The committee was formed with a dual purpose in mind:

    [1] to assist with protection of the "limestone barrens" located within the community; it’s species-at-risk; and its other rare plants.

    [2] to advance economic benefits for their community, in a conservative and sustainable manner, as they relate to the limestone barrens and its species-at-risk - in particular, to the endangered Long’s Braya.

    Following the establishment of the action committee, the group made concerted efforts to become better informed about the "limestone barrens", and its species-at-risk.

    In conjunction with the LBHSP manager; members of the Limestone Barrens Species at Risk Recovery Team (LBSARRT); the NL Dept. of Environment and Conservation (Parks and Natural Areas Division); the NL Dept. of Environment and Conservations (Wildlife Division); and the NL Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development (now the NL Dept. of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development), the group has been involved in numerous meetings, including kitchen table meetings at the home of local residents and at the Lion’s Club.

    In addition, the committee, and other partners of the LBHSP, have participated in several onsite visits to the "limestone barrens" at Sandy Cove.

    After becoming better informed, the action committee made a decision to become involved in an integrated approach to enhancing the "limestone barrens" area within their town. This decision would see the SCLBAC involved in [1] proposal training, and [2] the development and submission of an actual proposal, within a five month period.

    As a result of the efforts of the SCLBAC, the proposal "Limestone Barrens Long’s Braya Interpretation Development: an Integrated Approach to the Limestone Barrens Species at Risk Enhancement" was approved, under the Provincial Government's "Job Creation Partnership Program".

    The resulting project was conducted during 2011, employing 11 local participants for a period of 15 weeks. In addition, a heavy equipment operator was hired to remove undesirable objects and materials from the local "limestone barrens"; and an information kiosk was designed and built.

    Using templates from LBHSP partner Parks Canada, three interpretive boards were produced and erected at Sandy Cove.

    The action committee also had a large sign produced for the town, which displayed an image of Long's Braya at its center.

    Through this initiative participants, including a Conservation Corps of NL Green Team [scroll down "Fernald's Flowers" entry], were mentored and gained knowledge about the importance of critical habitat and species at risk.



    Green Team 2011

    The "Fernald's Flowers" Green Team - 2011 - Photo: from this web document.



    During 2011, the town of Sandy Cove hosted Come Home Year (CHY) celebrations and placed special emphasis on portraying the pride that they feel about the "limestone barrens" and its endemic species. The CHY flag, flown outside houses and businesses in town, boasted an image of the Endangered, Long’s Braya plant in its center. A presentation focused on the "limestone barrens" habitat and its plant species-at-risk was given by local Limestone Barrens Community Working Group member Madeline White at the Lion’s Club, Sandy Cove, during the celebrations.

    Continued participation in stewardship initiatives, in the target area of the LBHSP, by local municipalities and groups such as the SCLBAC, will contribute significantly to recovery efforts of the listed species. In addition, participation will also continue to provide environmental sustainable economic benefits to these communities and will help establish a legacy for future generations.

    Currently the SCLBAC and many other groups and individuals are working together, in an ongoing effort to assist the LBSARRT and the LBHSP with development of restoration protocols for degraded limestone barrens habitat.

    The restoration project is being conducted in response to identified recovery actions as outlined in the National Recovery Plans/Strategies.







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