Stewardship Association of Municipalities

Bonavista

SAM Member Since: July 2013

Area Protected: 826 acres

The Town of Bonavista, with a population of approximately 3200, is located on the Bonavista Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. It is situated on the Discovery Trail (Route 230), just 3 hours from both Gander and the Argentia ferry, and 3.5 hours from the capital city of St. John's. In the last decade of the 19th century, Bonavista was a booming town that serviced the 20,000 people living on the peninsula. Today, the Town of Bonavista is a modern community with a rich history and continues to grow both economically and culturally.

Conservation Areas

Bonavista is located within the Maritime Barrens Ecoregion. Bonavista's Conservation Areas have habitat of critical importance to waterfowl and other wildlife, generally providing prime habitat for nesting and brood rearing. In addition, the wetlands and unique shoreline and coastal region are home to a number of species at risk. Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea) and Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) have all been observed around the coastal areas of Bonavista. Gray-cheeked Thrush (Catharus minimus) and Rusty blackbird (Euphagus carolinus), both of which prefer coniferous-dominated areas and wetlands, have also been spotted.

Bonavista has designated 3 Conservation Areas (CAs) within their municipal planning boundaries, totaling 826 acres of conserved wildlife habitat: Beaver Pond, Long Pond and Old Days Pond. The Beaver Pond CA is located east of Confederation Drive (Route 230) and south of Route 238 to Elliston, and includes a small unnamed pond, Beaver Pond, Hospital Pond and the adjacent upland habitat. The Long Pond CA encompasses the Town's water supply, located south of the Town of Bonavista and west of Burnt Ridge. It contains one significant water body, several smaller connecting water bodies and adjacent streams and bogs. The Old Days Pond CA is located in the ‘downtown’ portion of Bonavista between O’Deas Road, Long Beach Road and Roper Street. Old Days Pond was formally a sewage outflow site for a number of homes, however approximately ten years ago it was no longer needed for this purpose and was left to naturally restore itself. Since that time the pond has become a well-known area for town residents and visitors because of the extensive boardwalk around the perimeter of the pond.

The coastal region of Bonavista is not only well known for its population of berries, but it is also well known for its natural geological formations consisting of rock caves and sea stacks. A large number of sea ducks and seabirds also inhabit the coastline and adjacent waters, including Common eiders (Somateria mollissima), Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica), Northern fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis), Northern gannets (Morus bassanus) and several gull species such as Great black-backed gull (Larus marinus). To ensure that Bonavista’s unique coastline as well as the wildlife living in the area are preserved into the future, the Town of Bonavista established a Coastal Stewardship Zone.

Bonavista Conservation Plan