Whales and Trails - Cape Spear hike - June 12
Join Yolanda Wiersma for a visit to North America’s eastern most point. We will leave from campus for the drive (~20 minutes) to Cape Spear National Historic Site. The route will include the Cape Spear lighthouse, WWII coastal defense batteries, bogs and fens (on boardwalks), inverted tree lines, breathtaking views of the ocean and hopefully an opportunity to see whales and gannets, along with an excursion along the famous East Coast Trail (moderately rugged terrain). Hiking clothing, good walking shoes or hiking boots, and water bottles are recommended. *Whales not guaranteed.
Capacity: 40 people
Price: $41 (includes transportation)
MUN Bot Garden - June 12
Meet assistant horticulturist Meghan McCarthy from MUN Botanical Garden for a tour of the horticultural facilities, including greenhouses, succulent garden, native plant garden as well as behind-the-scenes tour of research facilities, including the herbarium. There will be time for a leisurely hike along the trails to different naturalized habitats, including shorelines, wetlands and boreal forest.
Capacity: 30 people
Price: $40 (includes transportation)
Exploring Ecosystems of the Avalon - June 14
Come join us, forest ecologist André Arsenault and botanists, Sue and Bill Meades, on an exploration of the ecosystems of the Avalon Peninsula. The adventure will begin with a moderate hike in Butterpot Provincial Park, exploring low elevation ecosystems, including the plants and lichens of the north-eastern barren sub-region. We will then head to Salmonier Nature Park where we will enjoy our lunch and get to meet some Newfoundland flora and fauna along the board walk. Salmonier Nature Park features the Avalon Forest ecoregion, a mosaic of forests, ponds, barrens, and wetlands distributed in a ribbed moraine landscape. Finally, we will end the trip at a communication tower near Hawkes Hills Ecological Reserve in the south-eastern barrens subregion which features a unique ecosystem of artic alpine vegetation. Departure for this exciting adventure will be from Memorial University at 9 am sharp, returning at 5 pm. Don’t forget to bring your water and your wellies!
Capacity: 25 people
Price: $140 (includes lunch and transportation)
