On June 10, 2014, the Cabox Global Geopark initiative spanning the Bay of Islands Ophiolites from Lewis Hills to Tablelands held its first public meeting at the Grenfell Campus of Memorial University in Corner Brook. International Appalachian Trail and Cabox Geopark Chairperson Paul Wylezol gave presentations on the IAT, renowned Newfoundland Geologist Harold “Hank” Williams and the proposed Cabox Geopark while special guest speaker Hugh Barron, Marketing Sector Manager with the British Geological Survey in Edinburgh, Scotland, gave a presentation on UNESCO sponsored Global Geoparks and his experience helping to develop them in Scotland.
Planning Under Way For Global Geopark
The International Appalachian Trail Newfoundland & Labrador has taken a page from the IAT Europe playbook with plans to establish a Global Geopark, spanning the Bay of Islands Ophiolites from Lewis Hills to Gros Morne National Park. Other stakeholders include Western Newfoundland Destination Management Organization (Go Western), Corner Brook Pulp & Paper Ltd, and all towns in the Bay of Islands and western side of Gros Morne National Park.
McIver’s View, Bay of Islands
On a beautiful Saturday, November 16, 2013, McIver’s Mayor Warren Blanchard guided IAT/IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol and IATNL Finance Director Kevin Noseworthy on a 3.7 km (2.2 mile) round trip hike of the new community trail to the top of Bound Head overlooking the scenic outer Bay of Islands. Paul and Kevin were in the north shore of Humber Arm town to discuss the Cabox Global Geopark initiative with Mayor Blanchard and to take in one of the best vantage points of the Bay of Islands and surrounding mountains, from Cape Blow Me Down to North Arm Hills.
8th Northeast Alpine Stewardship Gathering
On November 1-3, 2013, IAT/IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol attended the 8th Northeast Alpine Stewardship Gathering at the Sargent Center in Hancock, New Hampshire. There he learned of the latest developments in northeast North America alpine ecology and conservation and gave a presentation on the International Appalachian Trail and Global Geoparks. The event was hosted by the MERE Project of the Environmental Studies Department, Antioch University New England, with the support of the Waterman Fund.