Establishment of the 48th National Park in Canada Pituamkek National Park Reserve

On July 4, 2024, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, with Chief Darlene Bernard of Lennox Island First Nation, and Chief Junior Gould of Abegweit First Nation, signed an agreement to establish Pituamkek National Park Reserve, the 48th National Park in Canada. It is located in northwestern Prince Edward Island, near Lennox Island First Nation. 

Working together, the Government of Canada and the Mi’kmaq Epekwitnewaq Kapmntemuow are protecting this iconic natural and cultural landscape for future generations. Pituamkek National Park Reserve was established in collaboration between L’nuey, Parks Canada, Island Nature Trust, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, and the Province of Prince Edward Island.

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What is Pituamkek National Park Reserve and what does it protect? 

Known in the Mi’kmaw language as Pituamkek - which means ‘at the long sand dune’-, is an archipelago and coastal area found on the northwestern shores of Prince Edward Island. The area is home to one of the most ecologically significant coastal dune complexes in Eastern Canada. Pituamkek is deeply important to the Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq, the Mi’kmaq of Prince Edward Island. It is home to ancient archaeological sites and an ongoing tradition of Mi’kmaw land use. The barrier islands of Pituamkek stretch for 50 kilometres from east to west and form a protective barrier to the north of Malpeque and Cascumpec Bays, which are known around the world for their rich fisheries.

In addition to its rich Mi’kmaq history, the landscapes of Pituamkek are remarkable. These range from coastal dune systems to old-growth forests to Prince Edward Island’s only igneous rock formations. The location known as Iron Rock is home to a rare geological feature: P.E.I.’s only igneous rock formation–a volcanic incursion more than 240 million years old.

Protecting this area through the creation of a national park reserve also means the protection of several threatened or endangered species which call it home, including the little brown bat, northern long-eared bat, and piping plover.

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Pituamkek (Hog Island) area map
Proposed Pituamkek National Park Reserve priority area and area of interest. - Click map to enlarge
Text version

A map of the proposed Pituamkek National Park Reserve and Area of interest. The new national park reserve is a string of barrier islands located on the northwestern shore of Prince Edward Island. Also known in English as Hog Island and the Sandhills, Pituamkek is home to important ecosystems and cultural sites. The Sandhills form one of eastern Canada’s most ecologically significant coastal dune complexes.

The Priority Area is identified in green and contains lands of cultural and ecological significance which could be appropriate for inclusion in Pituamkek National Park Reserve. Not all lands within the priority area are suitable or desired for inclusion.

The Area of Interest is identified in yellow and contains lands which are also of ecological or cultural significance to Pituamkek, and which could be considered for eventual inclusion. Not all lands within the area of interest will be suitable or be considered for future inclusion.

The following locations are labelled on the map: (from northwest to southeast): Kwesawe'k (Oulton's Island), Cascumpec Sandhills, Conway Sandhills, Lennox Island First Nation (identified in white, the area outside the Pituamkek proposed national park reserve boundary), Hog Island, Te'pljewe'katik (Bird Island), Nikani-ika'taqank (Ram Island), Kji-mniku (Courtin Island), Ewle'jkl mniku'l (Little Courtin Island).

Where is this new national park reserve in Prince Edward Island? 

The new national park reserve is centered upon a chain of barrier islands located on the northwestern shore of Prince Edward Island. Hog Island, as well as an associated chain of barrier Islands known in English as the Sandhills (Cascumpec Island and Conway Island), stretch for 50 kilometres and represent some of the province’s most significant cultural, ecological, and geological locations.

 

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Will Pituamkek National Park Reserve be open for visitors and tours in summer 2024? Will there be an information centre? 

In the early years of Pituamkek National Park Reserve, the public visitor experience offer will be quite modest and focused on learning about the area and its history remotely. Extensive management planning will outline a multi-year model for park operations, including details on visitor experience and public visitation, staffing and other needs, restoration and conservation work, and any archeological and research work. 

The park’s first management plan will be the subject of extensive research, planning, and public engagement and consultation with Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq, and will take time to develop. In turn, it will help inform the long-term conservation and visitor experience vision for the protected area before any development takes place.

Please note that there are no services nor infrastructure for visitors in Pituamkek at this time. The subsequent building of the operations team and any necessary development are longer-term undertakings which will happen in a phased approach over a period of years.

Will there be Parks Canada staff in Pituamkek in 2024? 

For 2024, there will be a limited staffing presence in Pituamkek, in support of science and cultural resource monitoring – the Pituamkek Conservation Program. 

The Pituamkek Conservation Program offers training and development opportunities for four Mi’kmaq community members to study and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Pituamkek, blending Mi’kmaq traditional knowledge and modern science. 

Common activities include the identification, conservation, and interpretation of cultural heritage, ecological monitoring, water quality testing, restoring habitats, training and learning, administration, and relationship building.

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I am Mi’kmaq and am hopeful to work at Pituamkek. How can I apply and what jobs are available? 

During the foundational and building years of establishment, the development of Pituamkek’s first management plan will be an early priority as well as the creation of the co-management board, Toqi- Alsutekekl. 

The building of the operations team and staffing are longer-term projects that will happen in a phased approach. Additional information will be shared in the years ahead, outlining the details of any training and staffing opportunities at all levels of the management of Pituamkek National Park Reserve. Awareness and training of Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq for Pituamkek employment will be an ongoing and continuous commitment.

Will you have to pay to visit Pituamkek?

Fees are charged at most national parks and historic sites. Revenues support visitor programs, services, facilities and conservation efforts. Fees at Parks Canada-administered sites correspond with services, and the management planning phase will include the fee structure associated with any such programs at Pituamkek. 

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What are the next steps for Pituamkek National Park Reserve? 

The next steps for Pituamkek include the implementation of the Toqi-Alsutekekl, a co-management body, set out in the agreement; the creation of a more detailed conservation and visitor experience vision for the area; as well as the development of a detailed management plan.

The park’s first management plan will be the subject of extensive research, planning, and public engagement and consultation with Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq, and will take time to develop. In turn, it will help inform the long-term conservation and visitor experience vision for the protected area before any development takes place.

What is a national park reserve?

A national park reserve is an area that is managed like a national park but is subject to one or more Indigenous land claims being negotiated between the federal, provincial/territorial, and Indigenous governments. Indigenous peoples continue to use the land for traditional hunting, fishing, and trapping. The Canada National Parks Act applies to national park reserves and provides the same protections to those of national parks. 

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