Kouchibouguac National Park is a national park located on the east coast of New Brunswick in the area of Kouchibouguac. It was created in 1969 to protect part of the Canadian Maritime Plain region. The park includes barrier islands, sand dunes, lagoons, salt marshes, and forests. It provides homes for about 50 species protected by the Canadian Species at Risk Act, including the endangered piping plover and the second-largest group of terns in North America. Groups of harbor seals and grey seals live in the park's 25 kilometers of sand dunes. The park is also home to the extremely rare and fragile Gulf of St. Lawrence aster, but in 2006, storms destroyed most of the aster plants. The park covers an area of 238 square kilometers (92 square miles). Visitors can enjoy activities like swimming, biking, and hiking. Recently, the park has reported seeing fisher martens, making it one of the few places in New Brunswick with these animals. The park's many activities draw thousands of visitors every year. The park offers activities such as educational programs, seal watching, and talks about Mi'kmaq band governments. It is also home to the popular Kelly's Beach.

History

The park was created by Parks Canada in 1969 to protect special sand dunes and wetlands called bogs. Before European settlers arrived, the area was used by local Indigenous Peoples, including the Mi'kmaq, for hunting, fishing, gathering plants, trading, and living. Parks Canada faced challenges in taking land from many owners in seven nearby communities, which included about 215 families and over 1,200 people. These communities were Claire-Fontaine, Fontaine, Rivière au Portage, Kouchibouguac, Guimond Village, Cap St-Louis, and Saint-Olivier. At the time, rules required all permanent residents to leave so the park could be created. Most of these people were descendants of the Mi'kmaq and the Acadians, whose ancestors had been forced to leave their homes long ago. Their lives depended on fishing, hunting, farming, logging, and tourism. Government officials believed these people were very poor and thought moving them would help them improve their lives. The government offered training programs to help them start new lives elsewhere. Officials thought they were helping people by removing them. However, the residents resisted, and they shut down the park several times. One well-known person who fought against the removal was Jackie Vautour. His home was destroyed in 1976, but he returned to live there two years later and stayed until his death on February 7, 2021. Vautour’s long fight made him a respected figure in the community.

Kelly's Beach, a long sand dune, is a popular attraction. Other features include bogs, a boardwalk trail, eight hiking trails, bicycle paths, two campgrounds, canoe and boat launches, and the Cap-St-Louis fishing port. However, the beauty of the park does not erase the pain felt by former residents. Their story is now shared in a permanent exhibit at the park’s Visitor Centre.

The park has a name in the Mi'kmaq language, which is reflected in the name of the Kouchibouguac River. This name means "river of the long tides" in Mi'kmaq. Some local Acadians were unhappy with this name, as they wanted one that better represented their heritage. Many wished the park had been named Claire-Fontaine, after one of the communities that was removed.

Because of the resistance from residents, Parks Canada changed its rules to ensure no one would ever be forced to leave their home again.

Other rivers that flow through the park include:
– Black River
– Kouchibouguacis River
– Fontaine River
– Polly’s Creek
– Portage River
– Rankin Brook

The story of the park has been featured in two major documentaries. It was also the subject of a short film in the 2011 National Parks Project, directed by Jamie Travis and scored by Casey Mecija, Don Kerr, and Ohad Benchetrit. A website provides access to 26 video portraits of people who were removed from their land during the park’s creation.

Fauna

Land-dwelling mammal species found in the area include raccoon, bobcat, moose, seven bat species (Little Brown Myotis, Northern Long-eared Myotis, Tri-Colored Bat, Silver-Haired Bat, Hoary Bat, Eastern Red Bat, and Big Brown Bat), coyote, black bear, beaver, shrews, mice, river otter, porcupine, muskrat, woodchuck, mink, striped skunk, and snowshoe hare. Birds of prey such as bald eagle, hawks, owls, falcons, osprey, and harriers also live in the park. Colonies of common terns and grey seals are present on the park's barrier islands.

Management

In 2009, Kouchibouguac National Park was named a Dark-sky preserve to protect nighttime habitats, reduce light pollution, and help people better understand the cultural importance of the night sky.

In 2010, a management plan was created to describe four main strategies for managing the park and its relationship with the public. In 2017, this plan was reviewed, along with a report on the park’s condition. Key areas needing improvement included:

• Damage to park roads and buildings from weather.
• Better protection and access to cultural resources for Indigenous communities and visitors.
• Strengthening partnerships between the Mi'kmaq Peoples, park managers, and others to respect Indigenous values.
• More recreational activities, such as fishing for softshell clams and brook trout, and challenges in managing illegal actions or extreme weather events like wildfires or flooding because the park is reachable by land and sea.
• Invasive plants and animals in the land and ocean.
• Growth of nearby development projects and cities.
• Effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels, stronger storms, and erosion of islands and sand dunes.

As of 2021, the Kouchibouguac National Park Management Plan outlines a long-term goal to apply the four main strategies by 2071. The plan was created by Parks Canada following the Parks Canada Agency Act and the Canada National Parks Act. It involves many groups, including Indigenous Peoples like the Mi'kmaq, descendants of Acadian and English residents who were displaced to create the park, local businesses, and the public. Parks Canada must publish an annual report on the success of the strategies and continue to listen to feedback from stakeholders. The plan must be officially reviewed every ten years, or sooner if needed. The four main strategies are:

• "A healthy and resilient park." To record information about the environment, human activity, and threats to the ecosystem, and use this data to improve the health of natural areas and reduce harm to habitats.
• "A park at the forefront." To share modern, environmentally friendly ways to manage the park and provide up-to-date facilities and recreation where possible.
• "Reflection of engaged communities." To include diverse groups in decision-making, continue working with the Mi'kmaq and former residents of the area, and improve the protection of over 30 Indigenous and four non-Indigenous archaeological sites.
• "Highly satisfied visitors throughout the year." To offer more year-round activities for visitors while protecting the environment and becoming a top destination for winter activities.