The tour of the fossil site at Blanche Brook is a must-see event! To think that 305 million years ago, Newfoundland was part of one giant land mass called Pangaea and that the island we live on today was situated near the equator is rather…surreal. Yet embedded in the sandstone that line the edges of Blanche Brook lay the evidence – the oldest-known fossil bed of mountain plants, to date. The fossils provide a glimpse back to a time and place when the first tree species to grow at higher elevations occurred.  Trees towering to heights of 164 feet with 3 foot diameters that were once part of a tropical forest now rest, as fossils, on the river bed of Blanche Brook.

It is interesting how complex tree growth can be! The Canadian Forest Service thought so too! In 1967, trees from North America, Europe and Asia were planted in the Bottom Brook area to establish an Arboretum or “tree garden” that now covers more than 1400 hectares. The goal was to demonstrate over time how native and exotic tree species grow under the climatic conditions of western Newfoundland. On Monday, June 13, take a guided tour to view the Arboretum and learn which tree species from around the world have grown best over 40 plus years of exposure to the climate of western Newfoundland. Learn what tree species are considered suitable candidates for forest restoration and how the characteristics of an Arboretum differ from a natural Newfoundland forest ecosystem. Join us and deepen your appreciation of the complex growing requirements of different trees.
 

Enjoy an evening with “The Local Song Birds” – Part II
featuring the vocals of Patsy Brownrigg, Robyn Hunt, Dylan Savoury and the acoustic excellence of Barry Musseau. Debuting: Mossy Rocks – Traditional Irish entertainment with Craig Carter, Shawn Horwood, Corey Anderson, Brock Seward and Troy Ingram Admission: Donate to the local Folk Art Council

Upper Ferry, Codroy Valley

A Parks Canada ecologist will be available for general bird interpretation and questions. If you have questions on birds in the Codroy Valley Wetlands or in your own garden, drop by Thursday afternoon.

More Info on the events page!

It is interesting how complex tree growth can be! The Canadian Forest Service thought so too! In 1967, trees from North America, Europe and Asia were planted in the Bottom Brook area to establish an Arboretum or “tree garden” that now covers more than 1400 hectares. The goal was to demonstrate over time how native and exotic tree species grow under the climatic conditions of western Newfoundland. On Monday, June 13, take a guided tour to view the Arboretum and learn which tree species from around the world have grown best over 40 plus years of exposure to the climate of western Newfoundland. Learn what tree species are considered suitable candidates for forest restoration and how the characteristics of an Arboretum differ from a natural Newfoundland forest ecosystem. Join us and deepen your appreciation of the complex growing requirements of different trees.

Color patterns, melodious songs, courtship displays and nesting behaviors are some of the features of backyard birds that have captured the attention of millions! Bird watching as a hobby gained popularity during the late 19 century when influential “ladies of society” demanded their protection from hunting for sport and the millinery trade. The subsequent birth of the Audubon Society in the late 1880s saw "binoculars replace guns", and with the emergence of field guides to aid in recreational birding, bird watching and bird conservation gained momentum and has now become widespread. Advancements in photography in the late 1970s brought with it the “digital revolution” that has made it easier for more than 10 million Canadians to capture images of our feathered friends. On Saturday, May 28, Janice and Aiden demonstrated, to a full house, how to maximize their bird identification skills and use their digital cameras to produce clear images of our backyard friends.

Hidden within the quite, rather modest atmosphere of the Town of St. George’s is a community steeped in history! The story begins at Sandy Point, a small island approximately 2 km north of St. George’s, where 1200 Acadians found refuge after fleeing Nova Scotia in 1755. With a bustling community of 750 at its peak in 1855, Sandy Point became the focal point of economic activity for the entire west coast of Newfoundland! Discover St. George’s is day that steps back in time. Take a trip to Sandy Point and experience the history of its early settlers through story-telling and folklore. Learn the events leading up to the demise and the resettlement of the community at St. George’s. Take guided tours and enjoy the historical significance of the Town’s church steeple and museum. Join us on Saturday, June 4, at 9:00 am, to reconnect with the multicultural, multilingual community that preceded and later formed the foundation of the Town known today as St. George’s.

This will be a small parade at Scott’s Cove Park led by local fiddler Joe AuCoin and Sandy our Piping Plover Mascot. A few children from the Family Resource Centre will be dressed as local birds. Kids who attend the Rec House will be flying hand-made kites. All are welcome to join in the parade or kite flying.