Committed to the conservation, enhancement and stewardship of habitat across Newfoundland and Labrador

The Town of Bauline is located on the Northeast Avalon Peninsula, within the Northeastern Barrens Subregion of the Maritime Barrens Ecoregion. The landscape pattern usually consists of stunted, almost pure stands of Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea), broken by extensive open heathland. The heaths are dominated by Sheep Laurel (Kalmia angustifolia) on protected slopes where snow accumulates and by cushions of Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum / Empetrum easmesii) on windswept ridges and headlands. Good forest growth is restricted to the long slopes of a few protected valleys. Slope and basin bogs are the most common wetland type.

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Conservation Areas are areas of critical importance to waterfowl, generally providing prime habitat for nesting, brood rearing and staging. These areas also represent areas of importance to town residents, as well as visitors to the area. Without most of these areas, wildlife populations, such as those found in the town, would suffer. The Town has designated 4 Conservation Areas (CAs) within their municipal planning boundaries, totaling 187 acres: Rocky Pond, Pouch Cove Gully, Bakeapple Marsh and Bauline Rocky Pond.

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​The Rocky Pond CA (56 acres) is located approximately 100 meters off Route 21 and contains ideal feeding and staging habitat for numerous waterfowl species, as well as other wildlife. The Pouch Cove Gully CA (22 acres) is located on the northern end of Bauline Line in the immediate vicinity of the Route 21 exit. The area includes a section of Bauline River, as well as three gullies; First Gully, Second Gully and Pouch Cove Gully. The Bakeapple Marsh CA  is located north off of Bauline Line and east of Duck Pond - this mosaic of wetlands is not only a significant site for many wildlife species but is also important for its water-holding capabilities, which help aid in flood mitigation. The Bauline Rocky Pond CA includes Bauline Rocky Pond, the little pond north of Bauline Rocky Pond and the mosaic of wetlands extending to Bauline Line.

A number of waterfowl and songbird species have been observed utilizing these areas including Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris), American Black Ducks (Anas rubripes), Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) and Wood Duck (Aix sponsa), Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata) and American Robin (Corvus brachyrhyncos). Vegetation consists of Larch (Larix laricina) and Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) trees, common shrubs and low growing herbaceous species such as Sweet Gale (Myrica gale), Bog-laurel (Kalmia polifolia), Labrador Tea (Ledum groenlandicum), Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor) and Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia purpurea). Pond Lilies also grow in portions of the ponds, as well as a variety of common sedge.