Kouchibouguac National Park
186, Route 117 E4X 2P1 Saint Louis de Kent, NB, Canada

BREAKING NEWS ! Our 2021 #DiscoveryPass is now available to purchase online or in person in the park at Pijeboogwek. Call us at 506-876-2443 for information. Get ready for exciting new experiences next year 450 000 km2 of memories await! https://www.commandesparcs-parksorders.ca/en 506-876-2443

#DYK that due to #COVID19, reservations for Parks Canada’s 2021 visitor season will open in April instead of January? This will allow you to make your reservations closer to your date of travel and with more information to plan your visit. Reservations for Kouchibouguac National Park will open on April 22 at 8 am, local time. ... A complete list of launch dates for other sites located across the country is available online https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/voyage-travel/reserve.

Happy #FloraFriday everyone! In celebration of the United Nations #IYPH2020, we are going to learn about the Common Reed! #ParksFromHome If asked to sum up our relationship with Common Reed, we’d have to say it’s complicated... This beautiful hardy wetland grass is found throughout much of Canada’s temperate and lower boreal zone, from the Pacific to the Atlantic. In fact, it occurs in every continent except Antarctica and is considered one of the most widespread flo...wering plants worldwide. Although grasses are generally a tough group of plants to learn, Common Reed is quite easy to distinguish from most other species thanks to its large feathery plumes , wide leaves and sturdy stems, which can reach heights of nearly 5 metres. In Canada, its size alone is often enough to identify it at a distance, as few other grasses come close to being this tall. Here’s the complicated part: two different subspecies of Common Reed occur in Canada. One is a native plant, while the other is of European origin and is highly invasive. First introduced to our shores in the early 1800s, European Common Reed has since spread over most of the continent, aggressively taking over wetlands, outcompeting other species and degrading important wildlife habitat. It is now widely considered to be among the worst invasive plants in North America and a major threat to wetland health! Telling the native and introduced plants apart is not always an easy task. The native subspecies tends to have reddish stems and usually grows in sparse patches, while introduced plants are tan-coloured and often form lush dense stands. In Atlantic Canada, our native subspecies is mainly found in coastal salt marshes. #FunFact Unfortunately, invasive plants are a growing global environmental problem. Although most newly-introduced species are harmless, some can become very problematic. In any given region in southern Canada, it’s not uncommon for over a third of all occurring plant species to be of European or Asian origin! #PlantHealth

We would like to remind visitors that Kouchibouguac National Park is part of the Zone 1 region of the province and is currently at the Orange level due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak in the Moncton area. For details on the Orange level, please consult the Government of New Brunswick’s website : https://www2.gnb.ca//corpora/promo/covid-19/recovery.html We are closely following this evolving situation. For updated information keep following us here.

Happy #FloraFriday everyone ! In celebration of the United Nations #IYPH2020, we are going to learn about the carnivorous Northern Pitcher Plant! #ParksFromHome Few species spark the imagination as carnivorous plants do. These plants, which commonly thrive in nutrient-poor habitats, have an astounding way of getting extra nourishment by capturing and digesting small animals! ... Pitcher plants are among the most spectacular carnivorous plants. They get their name from heavily modified leaves that form pitcher-like structures to catch prey. The Northern Pitcher Plant’s strategy for catching prey is both fascinating and complex. Insects are lured to the pitcher’s opening by the showy red stripes on its leaves and the smell of sugary nectar produced around the pitcher’s lip. Downward-pointing hairs then help guide unsuspecting critters to the very edge, where a small number of insects will lose their footing and fall into the water below. These creatures will be slowly digested by a combination of bacteria, mosquito larvae and enzymes produced by the plant. Nutrients are then absorbed through the leaf surface. #FunFact Researchers in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, recently discovered that Northern Pitcher Plants occasionally trap and consume larger prey. Much to their surprise, they found numerous pitchers containing salamanders! #PlantHealth

Let's just pause for a second and say "Awwwwww" #WildlifeWednesday

There's nothing like going for a good bike ride in the fall ! The Major Kollock trail offers mountain bikers amazing scenery, with plenty of spots to stop to grab a bite or to take photos .

It’s another #WildlifeWednesday! Today we present the Monarch butterfly! Monarch butterflies are great pollinators ! Their pollination services come into play as pollen gets on their legs when they land and drink, helping the transfer of pollen from flower to flower. Populations are in decline due to loss or degradation of habitat from housing and commercial development, spread of invasive species, pesticide use, and the removal of food for both adults and larvae. ... #FunFact The monarch is famous for its spectacular migration to overwintering sites in Mexico and California, a trip of up to 4,000 km! Some make it back to Canada by late May but these are the rare few that survive the complete round trip.

We currently have two new exciting career opportunities in Kouchibouguac National Park! 1 Indigenous Relations Officer III https://bit.ly/3dov4F9 2 Resource Management Officer II https://bit.ly/3dpxbIH... You can apply online by following the links above. Both jobs are closing on 10 November 2020 - 23:59, Pacific Time.

Planning a visit to Kouchibouguac this weekend to to enjoy the spectacular fall colours while they're at their peak? Here are 5 things to remember: 1 Wildlife is very active this time of year. Drive carefully, follow the speed limits and keep an eye out for critters of all sizes. 2 The South Kouchibouguac campground is open! Please reserve in advance by calling 1-877-RESERVE (1-877-737-3783) or reserve online at https://reservation.pc.gc.ca ... 3 Be #ParksSmart and #PlanAhead before visiting the park. Find out what is open and what isn't by visiting our website at: https://www.pc.gc.ca//pn-np/nb/kouchib/visit/covid-19-info 4 Remember to avoid large gatherings, keep a physical distance of at least 2 meters of other "bubbles", and please consider following all provincial guidance and recommendations to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 . We are all #InThisTogether! 5 Pick up a souvenir at the boutique! Stop by the Pijeboogwek shelter near the park entrance to check out the gift shop!

Join thousands of Canadian youth to honour Residential School Survivors, their families and communities at an extraordinary virtual event to support and encourage meaningful Reconciliation across Canada. https://www.facebook.com/events/344943410247529/

As announced by the Government of New Brunswick, Zone 1 (which includes Kouchibouguac National Park) will be transitioning back to Orange level as of midnight tonight. As a reminder, here are some of the rules that will be applied: Outdoor gatherings with physical distancing of 10 people or fewer are permitted. Physical distancing required in all other settings.... Face masks remain mandatory in public spaces. Outdoor recreational activities are allowed, including campgrounds and trails . However, no organized sports. Please visit the Government of New Brunswick's website for more information on rules and restrictions associated with the Orange level: https://www2.gnb.ca//corpora/promo/covid-19/recovery.html For enquiries about Kouchibouguac National Park please call us at (506) 876-2443.

It’s #WildlifeWednesday ! Today, we feature the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence Striped bass! The Striped bass has a long, laterally compressed body with two separated dorsal fins, the first of which is spiny. It has seven or eight horizontal dark stripes along its sides, it is dark olive green on the back with paler silvery sides and white on the belly. Their total length is up to 1 meter. The Striped bass population is widely distributed throughout the estuaries and co...astal waters of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, particularly the east coast of New Brunswick, but also Prince Edward Island and part of the Gulf coast of Nova Scotia. #DYK: The Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence Striped bass population was historically exploited by commercial and sport fishing and it remains highly-prized by recreational fishers and Indigenous groups. Due to declines in population, the commercial fishery for Striped bass was closed in 1996 and the recreational and Indigenous fisheries were closed in 2000. Since 2011, the Striped bass population has achieved both its recovery limit and recovery target, which, in 2013, lead to the re-opening of limited recreational fishery and Indigenous fishery!

Happy #FloraFriday To celebrate the United Nations #IYPH2020, let’s learn about cottongrasses! #ParksFromHome Fluffy, cotton-like flower heads give these charming and distinctive plants their name. Fans of Dr. Seuss’s stories might even be reminded of Truffula trees! As members of the large and diverse sedge family, cottongrasses technically aren’t grasses at all, though they certainly share similarities with them. Many species can easily be distinguished based on th...eir flowering time, the color of their hair-like bristles (pure white or red-brown) and the number of spikelets or flower heads they have. Most cottongrasses are northern plants, growing in cool temperate, boreal, arctic and alpine areas, often in open boggy habitats. With a trained eye, you may also spot their handsome white or tawny tufts in wet ditches along roads. #FunFact Historically, cottongrasses have been used by Indigenous North Americans and northern Europeans in various interesting ways, including the production of candle wicks , wound dressings , fishing lures and bedding. They’ve even been used as a food source! #PlantHealth

Kind reminder to all our visitors to be #ParksSmart and to continue helping us prevent the spread of #COVID19 by washing your hands frequently, respecting physical distance and avoiding large gatherings. As of today, masks are now mandatory in all indoor public spaces across New Brunswick, and this includes all Parks Canada locations in the province. For more information on how to visit Parks Canada places safely during the pandemic, please our website: https://www.pc.gc.ca///covid-19-info/covid-19-visite-visit

There are still some available campsites for this weekend! To camp in Kouchibouguac, you must first reserve. You can reserve online at https://reservation.pc.gc.ca or you can call our Reservation Helpdesk at 1-877-RESERVE (737-3783)

"If nature fails, we all fail." - John Turner Yesterday, the Right Honourable John Turner was laid to rest, and honoured with a state funeral in Toronto. The fo...rmer prime minister has a lasting legacy as a champion for nature and conservation. A key figure in Canadian history, he served as justice minister when homosexuality was decriminalized in 1969. Read more about John Turner, one of nature’s true patriots and protectors: http://ow.ly/fQMj50BM2Dz WWF-Canada : Library and Archives Canada

Have you visited our Parks Canada boutique? Now located in Pijeboogwek (near the park entrance), the shop has a vast inventory of items to choose from! The boutique is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also order by phone by calling 506-876-2443.

It’s #WildlifeWednesday ! Today we are learning about the Transverse lady beetle! The Transverse lady beetle was once common and broadly distributed throughout most of Canada. The spread of non-native lady beetles is considered one of the possible threats to this species through competition, intraguild predation, or introduction of pathogens. Transverse Lady Beetles are small, round beetles, from 5.0 to 7.8 mm, that are native to North America. Adults have orange to r...ed wing covers with black markings, consisting of a black band and four elongate spots, which distinguish them from other species. This charismatic species was once one of the more common and widespread lady beetles in North America, playing an important role as a biological control agent of aphids and other insect pests. This lady beetle inhabits agricultural areas, suburban gardens, parks, coniferous forests, deciduous forests, prairie grasslands, meadows, riparian areas and other natural areas. This broad habitat range reflects their ability to exploit seasonal changes in prey availability across different vegetation types.

Want to learn more about what our Resource Conservation team does on the ground everyday? Check out our #ConservationInAction posts for the inside scoop! This week, we take a look behind the scenes at our forest dynamics monitoring program. Our Resource Conservation team runs a forest dynamics monitoring program to incorporate successional stages, crown condition, mortality, and regeneration into a Forest Succession Index to evaluate population status. ... A few key tree species of priority conservation concern have been identified as indicators of forest conditions: white pine, eastern hemlock, and eastern white cedar. Our staff monitors permanent sampling plots and track regeneration data by counting seedlings and/or saplings to support the survival of the Acadian forest. Check out these pictures of our Resource Conservation team monitoring some sampling plots.

So many great places to see in such a small province! #ExploreNB In the comments below, tell us what are your favourite places in New Brunswick / Nouveau-Brunswick!

Camping in Kouchibouguac on Thanksgiving weekend? We have fun activities planned for you! October 9: Pumpkin and Campsite Decoration Contest! Bring your own pumpkin or pick one up near the South-Kouchibouguac camping kiosk (limited quantities). Judges will circulate on the South-Kouchibouguac campground Sunday October 11 between 1 to 4 pm. Judges will distribute the prizes at the winners’ campsite around 5 pm. ... October 10: Fresh apples and cider! Meet us at the event tent for a refreshing apple cider and apples. (10 a.m. to noon) Make your camping reservations at https://reservations.pc.gc.ca or call the Reservation Helpdesk at 1-877-737-3783.

Visiting Kouchibouguac with your four-legged friend? Please remember to always keep your dog on a leash! This will help protect your dog and the park's wildlife! https://www.pc.gc.ca///nb/kouchibouguac/visit/animaux-pets

There's great weather in the forecast for the weekend in Kouchibouguac! Be #ParkSmart and plan ahead! See what services and facilities are operating this weekend: https://www.pc.gc.ca//pn-np/nb/kouchib/visit/covid-19-info

Happy #FloraFriday! In celebration of the United Nations #IYPH2020, while you #StayHome, let’s learn about a new species, the Northern White Cedar! With its soft shredding bark and flattened fan-shaped branchlets, Northern White Cedar is unmistakable among eastern North American conifers. One of our most beautiful and fragrant tree species, it is also one of our longest-living: Northern White Cedars commonly reach 200-300 years in age. It should come as no surprise, ...then, that it belongs to a genus whose species also go by the name Arborvitae, which is Latin for tree of life! Because cedars commonly grow at an angle, cedar swamps can sometimes feel like dense shady jungles. These are great places to look for rare orchids, sedges, lichens and mosses! #FunFact The Northern White Cedar’s resinous aromatic wood is rot and termite-resistant and therefore deteriorates very slowly. Its light and long-lasting wood is highly sought-after for a variety of uses, including shingles, fence posts, canoes, lumber and furniture! #PlantHealth

Happy #WildlifeWednesday ! Today we will be talking about beavers! An adult beaver is the largest rodent in North America! They can weigh up to 32 kilograms and measure up to 1.3 metres long including its tail. To waterproof themselves, beavers rub castor oil, that is produced from a gland near their tail, through their fur using their split toenail. Beavers remain active throughout the winter and can swim under the ice. They are able to hold their breath underwater f...or up to 15 minutes due to their specialized lungs and by lowering their metabolism. #FunFact Beavers are sometimes referred to as ecosystem engineers! Beavers are one of only a few mammals capable of changing a habitat. Beavers construct their lodges or homes, which can only be accessed through underwater entrances, in ponds, along river edges or in the shallow bays of lakes.

Another fun Sunday #ParksFromHome activity: it’s time to #NamethatSpecies This week, you can test your knowledge of Kouchibouguac’s coniferous trees! The Eastern White Pine, Eastern Hemlock, Black Spruce, Tamarack, Balsam Fir, and Jack Pine all call Kouchibouguac National Park home. ... Oh no! This list seems to be all out of order! Can you match each coniferous tree species with its correct photo? In the comments, help us identify which tree is which. Check back with us in the next couple of days for the answers!

I’m masking for a friend! Planning on visiting one of our Parks Canada places? Be sure to add a mask to your packing list! Masks are required at any of ...our indoor spaces. Protect yourself and others by wearing a mask. For more information on safely visiting our spaces or even creating your own virtual visit, check out the Parks Canada web page! http://ow.ly/aAhK50zV7Mf #ParksSmart

Happy #FloraFriday! In celebration of the United Nations #IYPH2020, let’s learn about a new species, Sheep Laurel! #ParksFromHome Sheep Laurel is a low evergreen shrub which grows to about three feet tall in forests and wetlands of northeastern North America from the Great Lakes region to the Atlantic Coast. ... In late spring and early summer, this plant bears a cluster of deep pink flowers . When it’s not flowering, Sheep Laurel is most easily recognized by its shiny smooth leaves which are typically arranged in whorls of three . As a member of the Heath family, this species is related to blueberries, cranberries and huckleberries, and is particularly well suited to grow in nutrient-poor acidic soils. Although some of its cousins are delicious in pies and jams , Sheep Laurel is a very poisonous plant and has no edible uses. Is it commonly known as Lambkill, Sheepkill, and Calfkill, which all reflects the fact that the foliage of Sheep Laurel is poisonous to livestock. #FunFact Many eastern North American Indigenous people recognized this species’ poisonous nature and considered the plant very dangerous . However, some used it externally as a poultice to treat a variety of ailments including skin diseases, sprains, and swelling. #PlantHealth

Happy #WildlifeWednesday! Today we are learning about the American Eel! The American eel has a slender, long body with scales, and a single fin that extends from its tail to its belly. The American eel can be found on the western side of the Atlantic Ocean, from the Caribbean Sea to Greenland and Iceland, including the Sargasso Sea, where they spawn. In Canada, it is found in all fresh water, estuaries and coastal marine waters that are accessible to the Atlantic Ocean,... from Niagara Falls in the Great Lakes up to the mid- Labrador coast. The American eel plays an important role in Canada's aquatic biodiversity. It has one of the greatest range of any fish species in North America and supports major commercial, recreational, and Indigenous fisheries. #FunFact The Mi'gmaq people prized eel (ga't) for numerous reasons, including its medicinal properties . For example, eel skins could be used to wrap sprains or broken limbs .

It’s that time of year again Mid-September to the end of December is Moose mating season. This means moose are on the move more than ever, and bulls (males with antlers) can be more aggressive. Moose commonly run across the road - and sometimes stand in the middle of it . They can be very hard to see, especially at dusk and dawn, when they are most active. ... For your safety, and the safety of wildlife, follow these simple guidelines: - Be on the lookout! Scan the roadside for wildlife - Drive within the posted speed limit - Avoid driving at dusk or dawn - Always keep a safe distance! Stay at least 3 bus lengths away (30 m / 100 ft) , whether driving or on foot - If you encounter a moose on the trail, wait for the moose to leave, take a wider detour and always keep a treeor other large obstacle between you and the moose.

Happy #WorldShorebirdsDay ! This day is observed to raise awareness of these beautiful, sometimes elusive birds. To beak your interest , here are some fun facts about a few of Kouchibouguac’s shorebirds! #FunFact The Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa) breeds only in Arctic Canada and migrates thousands of kilometres between its Arctic breeding grounds and wintering areas at the tip of South America. During the breeding season, the Red Knot’s plumage changes colour: th...e face, neck, chest, and much of the underparts turn brownish red. #FunFact During the breeding season, the Piping plover has a single black band across the breast, another black band across the forehead between the eyes, and a distinctive black tip on the orange bill. In the spring, this small shorebird nests along the park’s golden sand dunes following a long flight from the Caribbean, often returning to the same nesting area in consecutive years. #FunFact The Ruddy Turnstones flip rocks, pebbles, and seaweed along shorelines in search of food. They rarely wade in waters more than a few inches deep, generally foraging out of the water where the surf deposits shells, rocks, and seaweed. Have you taken photos of shorebirds?! Share them below! Red Knot, Piping plover chicks, Ruddy Turnstone

Happy #NationalWildlifeDay! From coast, to coast, to coast, one of Parks Canada’s piorities is to protect and conserve ecologically significant species. From the smallest little critters to the largest four-legged beasts , Kouchibouguac is home to a wide range of wildlife. Kouchibouguac aims to protect our visitors and wildlife alike, including keystone species (like the iconic red fox ) and species at risk (like the adorable piping plover). Keep an eye out for ou...r Resource Conservation team hard at work at protecting wildlife and our visitors! When enjoying the many sightings of wildlife in National Park places, please make sure to give them all the space they need observe from a safe distance never feed wildlife pick up litter and food scraps to avoid attractants and avoid any interactions to help us keep wildlife safe and wild! Check out these photos: Red fox, Mouse, Atlantic Salmon, Piping plover chick, Black bear relocation, and a Bald Eagle.

Happy #FloraFriday! In celebration of the United Nations #IYPH2020, let’s learn about introduced edible plants! #ParksFromHome Our North American diet largely depends on plant species that are not native to the continent, be they grain and produce crops or forage crops for livestock. ... Many of the plants found in Kouchibouguac National Park are in fact introduced food plants which have persisted since the park’s creation some 50 years ago. Some originally came from elsewhere in North America, while others were carried all the way from Europe and Asia. These include apple trees , chives , rhubarb, Summer Savory and hops. American Groundnut, an attractive vine with a potato-like root, also presents an interesting example; although this species is native to New Brunswick, it likely would not be found within the park if not for the Mi’gmaq people, who brought it along with them on their travels. #FunFact: Kouchibouguac National Park is home to nearly 800 plant species (excluding mosses), 30% of which are not native to the area. Only a very small number of these introduced species (less than 10%) pose a threat to natural ecosystems. #PlantHealth Check out the photos below: 1Apios americana (potato bean), 2 Allium schoenoprasum (chives), 3 Humulus lupulus (common hop), 4 Malus pumila (apple tree), 5 Malus pumila (apple tree).