Sable Island National Park Reserve has a long history of human use stretching back over the centuries. Visitors often arrived to the Island by chance, due to shipwrecks, or by choice, as fishermen, entrepreneurs, adventure-seeking travellers, researchers, and lifesavers. Accessing Sable Island is inherently challenging due to its remote offshore location and unpredictable environmental conditions (e.g. fog, wind, flooded landing conditions). Due to the Island’s unique coastal ecosystem, hosting several species at risk, wild horses, seals, seabirds, and various plant species, visitation to the island is carefully planned and implemented. Discover more about how to plan a trip to Sable Island and on Parks Canada’s approach to managing visitation to this special place.
About the presenter: Graduate of Dalhousie University’s Marine Affairs program, Mathieu D’Astous has worked in the municipal sector, leading the development of sustainable community plans as well as an eco-certification program for food and lodging businesses. He subsequently worked as the executive director of the Really Local Harvest, coop, managing NB’s largest year-round farmers’ market while piloting various marketing and distribution initiatives. In 2016, Mathieu joined Parks Canada as National Historic Sites and Visitor Experience Manager, working for sites in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, including Fort-Beauséjour NHS and Grand-Pré NHS. He is thoroughly enjoying his current assignment as Acting Park Manager for Sable Island National Park Reserve. He also loves sailing, swimming, cycling, skiing, camping, and music production.
These virtual presentations replace our bi-annual fundraiser. If you learned something new about Sable Island please consider a small donation towards our education programs at https://sableislandfriends.ca/product/donation/
Enjoy Mathieu’s informative presentation below….