RESTORING THE LIMESTONE BARRENS: WILDER INSTITUTE JOINS ONGOING EFFORT TO CONSERVE NEWFOUNDLAND’S UNIQUE ECOSYSTEM
September 4, 2024
4 SEPTEMBER 2024 (Calgary, AB) – Picture a landscape where the harsh forces of nature have sculpted a rare, resilient ecosystem, home to species found nowhere else on Earth. This is the Limestone Barrens of Newfoundland, and despite its resiliency – it needs our help. In July 2024, Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador identified a new Priority Place for Species at Risk: the Limestone Landscape of the Great Northern Peninsula in Newfoundland and Labrador. This new Priority Place includes the Limestone Barrens as well as other limestone habitats.
The Wilder Institute is proud to join the ongoing vital conservation efforts to restore and conserve this important habitat. Partnering with Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Limestone Barrens Species at Risk Recovery Team and other key collaborators, we are lending our support and expertise to the Limestone Barrens restoration project to help revitalize this fragile ecosystem on the island’s western coast.
“The Limestone Barrens are home to some of the planet’s most extraordinary and endangered plants, such as the Long’s Braya—a flowering species found nowhere else that is adapted to survive in this unique coastal region,” said Gráinne McCabe, Chief Conservation Officer at the Wilder Institute. “Restoring the Limestone Barrens is essential for the persistence of these species and their habitat, while also preserving a natural heritage integral to the people of this region.”
Understanding the Landscape
The Limestone Barrens of Newfoundland cover a small region, less than one per cent of the island’s total area but are home to several unique species. They feature exposed rock surfaces, angular boulders, thin layers of gravel, and shallow soils. This habitat supports sparse vegetation that has adapted to withstand frost disturbances and supports a range of specialized species, including stunted trees, transient caribou, and numerous rare plants.
“The Limestone Barrens ecosystem is a robust landscape, sculpted by frost, wind, soil erosion, and intense rainfall,” said Donnell Gasbarrini, Conservation Program Manager at the Wilder Institute. “This extraordinary environment faces significant threats from human activities like construction, quarrying, and resource exploration, compounded by invasive species and the impacts of climate change.”
Despite these challenges, the Limestone Barrens remains a crucial refuge for rare plant and animal species. Among its treasures are three endangered plants found nowhere else, the Long’s Braya (Braya longii), Fernald’s Braya (Braya fernaldii) and Barrens Willow (Salix jejuna).
Supporting the Restoration
In partnership with Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador and other dedicated collaborators, the Wilder Institute is supporting the restoration of a site within the Limestone Barrens ecosystem.
In 2024, our efforts will focus on revitalizing a former quarry site through cleanup, and native vegetation will be replanted in 2025. Our long-term goal is to reintroduce native plants and restore the habitat to a near-natural state, creating a refuge for the distinctive flora and fauna of the Limestone Barrens. This work will also involve community engagement to ensure long-term success. Wilder Institute staff will travel to Newfoundland in mid-September to begin vital restoration work on the ground while continuing to collaborate with partners in community-wide initiatives.
“The Limestone barrens of Newfoundland are truly globally unique,” said Luise Hermanutz, PhD, Honourary Research Professor, Department of Biology, at Memorial University. “People from all over the world come to see these amazing plants. Many local citizens and partners have been involved in ensuring this jewel has been preserved. Thanks to all the partners and supporters who have made our shared goal of conserving this very special place happen.”
The Broader Impact
This initiative supports vital scientific research and plays a crucial role in applied conservation efforts to maintain a healthy environment. By working towards restoring the Limestone Barrens ecosystem, we aim to help this fragile yet diverse habitat—and the communities that depend on it—thrive for generations to come. Together, we can make a lasting impact on some of the world’s most vulnerable ecosystems.
To learn more about the Limestone Barrens Ecosystem Program, click here.
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For more information contact:
Alison Archambault
Director, Brand & Engagement
403.232.7766 | 403.919.9482 | mediarelations@wilderinstitute.org
The Wilder Institute is a global authority on wildlife conservation, reintroducing threatened species to the wild and empowering communities to conserve their own natural resources to positively impact both nature and communities. The staff and volunteers of Wilder Institute are passionate about restoring balance to wildlife and human life, together. Using innovative science, our team is working to save threatened and endangered species and return them to the wild, where our planet needs them to be. We proudly operate the Archibald Biodiversity Centre, Canada’s largest conservation breeding and research facility. Our conservation expertise is in conservation breeding and community conservation, where we collaborate with community members to positively impact both nature and local communities. Learn more at WilderInstitute.org to join us in making the world a wilder place.