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The Limestone Barrens Project:
creative exchange between : the alvars of the the
ecological reserves along the tip of the the Burren of Co.Clare through the Model Arts and Niland Gallery, The
exhibition has completed its tour. A 95 page publication documenting the
project and the exhibition and including a cd is
available through The
Limestone Barrens Project investigates links between three areas: the
limestone cliffs and alvars of the Tim
Chamberlain was an exchange student from Falmouth School of Art who was
attending the Third Year Visual Arts Program at moorland
apothecary harsh
light. the
screaming faces. the
dark, long-fingered strange
incantations. she
dares the ravens *********************** erratic sitting
amid fields of grass stacked
stones draw a line Stacked by
hand, wrenched
from the soft belly grasped
and pushed by the unbearable weight when the
Sun God was strong How old
were you when you first how much
older and smaller you seem Project
background: The We
see the Limestone Barrens Project as an opportunity to engage the
scientific communities as well as the broader non-academic commmunity. It is also an opportunity to develop a model
for meaningful creative interchange between disciplines whereby the sciences
can inform artistic practice and intellectual content of the art. The project
will continue to cultivate a lasting relationship between the three regions
which share much in character and culture. Further, we see the project as an
opportunity to facilitate contemporary landscape art and art about the
environment, particularly in new media. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the research for the project
and artist visits have received financial and in-kind support from the Sir
Wilfred Grenfell College; Memorial University of Newfoundland; Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency; Canada Council for the Arts; Natural Resources
Canada-Canadian Forest Service, Tourism, Culture and Recreation-Parks and
Natural Areas and Science Divisions; Cultural Economic Development
Program—Tourism, Culture and Recreation; and the Newfoundland and Labrador
Arts Council. The project is supported in Three legs of the journey: At the end of July, artists, writers and curators from The second leg: The second leg of the research trips and walks began
September 22 on the Bruce Peninsula with Marlene Creates, Joe Brazil and
Charlotte Jones (Newfoundland and Labrador); Sean McCrum,
Liam O'Callaghan, Orla Kenny and Rob Canning
(Ireland); and Har Prakash
Khalsa, Kris Rosar, Liz Zetlin, and Stuart Reid (Ontario). The artists attended
presentations by Jim Faught, Executive Director of
the Ontario Federation of Naturalists, Lorraine Brown of the Escarpment
Centre The third leg:. In November, David Morrish, Kris Rosar, and Liz Zetlin, and Sean
McCrum visited the Burren.
There, they met with Penny Bartlett, Park Conservator for the Burren, for a half-day walking guided tour of a
significant area of the Burren. They spent three
days walking areas of their choice. They also met with Suzanne Woods, the
Director of the Model Arts and Niland Gallery in Limestone Barrens Habitat
Stewardship Program Long before local residents were
aware of it the Mr. Fernald
returned to the
The coastal limestone
barrens of the GNP are located in the The main threat to these plants is
habitat destruction. Since the late 1960’s human activities have
damaged important sections of Many of these species are arctic-alpine
type plants, and visitors would normally have to travel much further North
see them. These calcium loving plants grow on
the limestone barrens because they have special attributes. Plants
lacking these special qualities cannot survive on the After their discovery by Mr. Fernald and his Team, these rare plants remained unknown
to most, until a growing awareness and In 1997 Long’s
braya, Fernald’s braya, and Fernald’s milk-vetch
were listed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered
-Fernalds Milk-vetch, special concern (left)
and Fernalds Braya,
threatened (right) The Barrens willow was
listed by COSEWIC as an endangered species in May of
2001. Long’s braya,
Barrens willow, Fernald’s braya,
and Fernald’s milk-vetch were listed under the Shortly after the listing of Long’s and Fernald’s braya in 1997, the Braya Recovery Team (BRT) was established to develop Recovery Plans for each of the designated
plants. The Recovery Plans provide government with a blueprint for
action outlining goals and objectives, identifying specific actions to secure
the long term persistence of the natural population throughout its
range. Steps to achieving these goals include biological surveys,
various types of habitat protection, monitoring, research, stewardship and
restoration.
-Longs Braya, endangered Recovery Plans for
both braya species and the Barrens willow have been
published and are available at the http://www.cosewic.gc.ca web site.
The plans have been developed by experts on the species, by wildlife managers
and by others with a specific stake in the species recovery. Recommendations
of the BRT include: development of a program to
initiate stewardship agreements;
establishment of an Ecological Reserve on the most “at risk” Long’s braya site; an education
program; and restoration of some braya sites on the
GNP. The Limestone Barrens Habitat
Stewardship Program (LBHSP) was developed to assist residents and landowners
to take on the responsibility of caring for this fragile habitat and rare
plant species of the GNP. The commitment of people who live and work in
this environment is essential to the health and protection of the limestone
barrens habitat. The goal of the LBHSP is to
enhance local and regional knowledge and preservation of limestone barrens
ecology and rare plants; to instil local pride; and to promote responsible
use, including eco-tourism opportunities on the limestone barrens from PACNHS
to BCER at The LBHSP is part of a national
program to preserve the habitats of endangered and threatened species of
plants and animals. The program is funded by Environment Canada “Species at
Risk” Program, Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), Parks Canada,
Department of Environment and Conservation (Inland Fish & Wildlife and
Parks & Natural Areas Divisions), The program emphasizes community
education to increase awareness in the local communities and encourages
residents to become custodians of this exceptional resource. The
program also focuses on restoration and conservation to ensure a
viable habitat for rare and endangered species. The LBHSP partners hope to build
an identity for the limestone barrens as a destination for naturalists, plant
lovers and as a source of pride for residents of present and future
generations. Since the inception of the LBHSP
residents of the peninsula have pledged to preserve its rare plants and
unique habitat. They are leaving a legacy that can be enjoyed by local
people and visitors. Through the implementation of stewardship
initiatives, commitments have been made to use this ‘fragile habitat’
responsibly. In 2002, teachers at the school
were successful in obtaining funds from the Students, teachers, artist Julia
Pickard and the LBHSP personnel worked together to bring special attention to
the GNP limestone barrens habitat. Under the direction of Ms. Pickard
students developed creative drawings and paintings which depicted the unique
flora and special features of the limestone barrens habitat. Other groups involved in raising
an awareness of the GNP limestone barrens habitat and its rare plants include
members of the Port au Choix branch of the Since 2001 local Green Teams,
consisting of four local young people per team, have also been playing a
role in raising awareness of the GNP limestone barrens habitat. They
have conducted several Land and Community Use surveys of the habitat.
The Green Team Program is the flagship program of the Conservation Corps, and
provides the organizations main workforce. The goals of the Green Team
Program are to provide youth in NL with environmental and cultural-heritage
related jobs and training every year and to assist community-based
organizations, municipalities and corporations with their conservation
activities. During the summer of 2003 a Green
Team at Port au Choix, sponsored by At In other efforts to learn more
about the area and its unique ecosystems researchers from MUN have
been working closely with the BRT (since 1998). During 2003 researchers
established three climate stations (at Sandy Cove airstrip, PACNHS, and
BCER). Information gathered from these stations and the biological studies will
aid in decisions of how to best protect this habitat for future generations. In 2002, NLLNT met with
representatives of the BRT, LBHSP and the Nordic Regional Economic Development
Board to discuss initiatives aimed to conserve plant ‘species at risk’ on the
GNP. The NLLNT offered its continued support to recovery efforts and
encouraged the BRT to submit project proposals for future funding
partnerships. In September 2003, the NLLNT made
a monetary contribution to the LBHSP. The Trust also secured funds
which made it possible for the LBHSP Program Coordinator to travel to the Leading
Edge Conference: Conservation and Stewardship in Canada at The impact and involvement of
partners who have committed to dedicating monetary and in-kind services for
this program and the hiring of a local coordinator and interpreters has
played a vital role in the success of the implementation of the LBHSP to
date. Continued delivery of the LBHSP will help ensure the survival of
this ‘ecosystem at risk’. For more information about the
LBHSP contact: Dulcie
House
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-Barrens
