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In 2019, Memorial University of Newfoundland Adjunct Professor and Lecturer Dr. Andy Kerr set his sights on the Bay of Islands Ophiolite Complex, beginning with a July trek of the Blow Me Down Mountains with Cabox Geopark Chairperson Paul Wylezol, followed by an October article entitled ‘Exploring a Famous Ophiolite: A Guide to the Bay of Islands Igneous Complex in Gros Morne National Park, Western Newfoundland’ for Geoscience Canada, of which he is scientific editor. Andy, who is also a geological advisor for Cabox Geopark and the International Appalachian Trail, also accompanied Paul and fellow Cabox/IATNL director Arne Helgeland on a May 2019 geological tour of the IAT and Lochaber Geopark in Scotland.

Cabox Geopark is one step closer to coming to fruition. After a Corner Brook council meeting on Nov 18, the project now has the support of every community in the Bay of Islands region. The city council approved and accepted the Strategic Tourism Areas and Regions Plan (STAR) report, a strategic tourism development plan for the Bay of Islands, Corner Brook and lower Humber Valley Area. The plan included support of the development of the Cabox Geopark. The Geopark will educate visitors on the unique plate tectonics and geological history of the Bay of Islands ophiolites.

On November 13, 2019, IAT Co-Chairs Paul Wylezol of Newfoundland and Don Hudson of Maine joined Ulster Ireland mayors Michaela Boyle (Derry City and Strabane) and Nicholas Crossan (Donegal County) at a meeting with Appalachian Mountain Club President John Judge and Conservation and Recreation Director Heather Clish at their new headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts. The meeting was a follow-up to IAT Ulster Ireland’s Outdoor Economy Forum held in June with the participation of the IAT, AMC and ATC.

During 2019, the IATNL made significant strides in completing its Cabox Geopark basecamp at Stone Brook (aka Stowbridges) in North Arm, Bay of Islands. The two-storey former fisherman’s house will serve as a start/end point for 2-3 day treks across the North Arm Hills to/from Trout River. This year’s work included the installation of bunk beds, new vinyl flooring, indoor plumbing, and the reconstruction of the damaged seawall.