Point Pelee: A Restoration Success Story

Let me tell you the story of Point Pelee National Park. I’m convinced you’ll find it as interesting as I do.

In 1882, the naturalist, W.E. Saunders was duck hunting in the area and was so impressed with the diversity of the birds that he helped found the Great Lakes Ornithological Club. The Club then played a key role in establishing the Park in 1918. Unfortunately, at that time, hunting was still allowed in the park and it quickly became the hotspot of the 50s and 60s. By the 1960s, more than 700,000 had visited the park and the 6,000 parking spots couldn’t meet the visitors’ needs. The park had sustained so much damage it was almost removed from the list of Canada’s national parks.

Fortunately, someone took charge of the issue and in 1972, a big restoration project was undertaken and anything alien, including plants, animals, roads and cottages were removed.

The project was so successful that Park Pelee is now home to more at-risk species than any other national park in Canada. It’s also the stopping point for more than 392 species of migrating birds. And is renowned as the best location in inland North America to observe the northward migration of songbirds.

Isn’t that a great story? And I’ll get to see the results of the restoration first hand in May when I’ll be camping in the park with my family.