Canada’s Sable Island National Park Reserve is coming ashore in 2017
In 2017, Canadians have been invited to discover and experience the extensive network of National Parks in honour of Canada’s 150th Anniversary of Confederation. There is one National Park (Reserve) most will never have the opportunity to visit in person, but thanks to White Point Beach Resort and its partners, on Jan. 28 and 29, you will connect with those closest to it. Sable Island, Canada’s 43rd National Park is coming ashore through the voices and experiences of those who know her intimately in a series of presentations and a Benefit Dinner for the Green Horse Society
Salute to Sable Island, being hosted by White Point Beach Resort, is one of the Resort’s Canada 150 Events for 2017. The mystery and vulnerability of the Island has captivated the team at White Point for many years. Several months ago, Darlene Norman, White Point’s Recreation/Special Events Director reached out to Zoe Lucas of Sable Island and colleagues at Parks Canada to inquire about the possibility of working together to bring Sable Island ashore to be experienced virtually as a signature event for 2017.
Norman says her outreach was positively received. “As we approach the event itself, I am still in awe of the enthusiasm we have received in organizing Salute to Sable Island. With the support of Zoe Lucas, strengthened by participation of Parks Canada and artists, Sable Island will virtually come to life for our guests. While I have personally had the honour of visiting Sable, many never will. This event has been carefully crafted to give guests a very unique and informative experience – honestly, it’s the next best thing to visiting in person.”
The itinerary for Salute to Sable Island spans over the two days with a dynamic and impressive list of guest presenters. The highlight of the event will be the Green Horse Society Benefit Dinner on Saturday January 28th with special guest speaker Zoe Lucas. Over the past 43 years, what began originally as a job in 1974, has evolved into a passionate and personal relationship with the Island. Residing on Sable for seven to nine months a year, in addition to being a Research Associate with Nova Scotia Museum, she is also the Founder of the Green Horse Society. During the Benefit Dinner, Lucas will provide an introduction to the Sable Island story, a weave of natural history and human activity and a glimpse of wildlife through the seasons. She will also present a brief review of research and monitoring programs conducted on the island – studies of horses, wayward seals, and biodiversity, and results of pollution and marine litter surveys, with a look at some of the intriguing items found during beach searches.
The weekend opens on Saturday with a brief biography of Sable Island by Julie Tompa of Parks Canada highlighting the national and international significance of this mythic island’s natural and cultural history from her perspective as the former Project Manager of the establishment of Sable Island National Park Reserve. Now as the Mainland Nova Scotia Field Unit Superintendent, Parks Canada, she’ll review Parks Canada Agency priorities and process with regards to the island, as well as origin stories – from the island’s unlikely geological existence in the north Atlantic Ocean to its establishment as a national park reserve that captures people’s hearts and imaginations.
Charles Burke, Senior Archeologist with the Indigenous and Cultural Heritage Directorate, Parks Canada, will highlight Sable’s cultural history and marine heritage. He’ll share documented evidence of human occupation, from settlement efforts in the 16th through 18th centuries, the establishment of life-saving stations and lighthouses in the 19th century, and the impact of hundreds of shipwreck and survivor activities that normally leave archaeological traces in the Island’s sand.
On Sunday morning Andy Horn, a Research Adjunct in the Department of Biology at Dalhousie University, will give an overview of Sable Island’s remarkable birdlife, from exotic storm-blown vagrants to regular but no less interesting residents (terns, gulls, shorebirds, ducks and Ipswich sparrows), with special reference to the curious history and hopeful future of Sable’s species at risk.
For decades, artists have added their unique interpretations of Sable adding their voice to her story through books, paintings, photography and video. The weekend’s final presentation ‘Inspired by Sable’ offers a glimpse into life on Sable. Writer Janet Barkhouse, watercolour Artist Roger Savage, RCA, photographer Len Wagg and the A for Adventure Team, Chris Surette and Jan-Sebastian LaPierre who paddled to Sable Island, have all been affected by and are looking forward to sharing their experience with the Island.
Enhancing the experience will be Parks Canada’s Sable Island ‘Green Screen’, which will virtually take your picture on Sable Island, easily shared on Social Media, without ever leaving White Point. This fun activity will be available on Saturday afternoon in the Main Lodge.
White Point’s General Manager, Joanne Veinotte says her team is incredibly proud to host Salute to Sable Island. “So many of us know about Sable Island, yet know so very little. We couldn’t be more proud to be presenting such a valuable event, particularly in Canada’s 150th Anniversary year. Connecting Canadians to this National treasure will definitely be a highlight for us in 2017”, says Veinotte adding, “It’s very exciting, we have guests from all over Nova Scotia coming and as far away as Montreal.”
While the Resort is offering overnight packages that include all presentations, the Benefit Dinner, Breakfast and overnight accommodations, there are two other ways to attend Salute to Sable Island. Tickets for the Saturday night Benefit Dinner for the Green Horse Society are available for $100 plus tax with a goal of 150 guests in honour of Canada’s 150th . With the exception of the Benefit Dinner, the presentations on Saturday and Sunday are open to the public with FREE admission, an RSVP is all that is required.
For more information on tickets, to RSVP for the free presentations and learn more about Salute to Sable Island, visit www.whitepoint.com
– 30 –
Media Contact:[email protected]
