MANITOULIN—Manitoulin Island has been included twice in the list of new provincial parks while the Island’s first park, Misery Bay, will see an expansion thanks to support from the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

The province announced last week that Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Mnidoo Mnising (Queen Mum Park) on the West End of Manitoulin, deemed a ‘natural environment park,’ and Strawberry Island, a nature reserve park located in the Strawberry Channel near Little Current, would be added to the list of provincial parks. It was also announced that Misery Bay Provincial Park would see an additional 251 acres added to its space.

“The parks will also support many rare and endangered species, while giving families and visitors more opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy the province’s natural beauty,” a press release from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry states, also drawing attention to protecting the province’s rare ecosystems (including alvar shorelines at Strawberry Island, Queen Mum Park and Misery Bay and unique flora growing there such as the Manitoulin Gold daisy on the south shore alvar-paved beaches).

Although the parks won’t permit camping or provide visitor facilities such as washrooms, they will offer activities like hiking and bird watching.

“We’re absolutely thrilled,” said Bill Caesar, a long-time advocate of Strawberry Island, which he can see from his White’s Point home. “It’s a gem, it’s a jewel.”

Mr. Caesar said he and his family have visited the nearby island many times this summer, and do so all winter long too, enjoying cross country skiing through the cut trails he helps to maintain. He noted that the island has two healthy deer herds, as well as a wolf population that keeps the populations in balance.

The other new parks included in the announcement are Carden Alvar, a natural environment park near Orillia; Cedar Creek, a nature reserve park near Essex; and Clear Creek Forest, a nature reserve park near Chatham-Kent.

“Protecting Ontario’s natural wilderness is part of the government’s plan to build Ontario up by investing in people, building modern infrastructure and supporting a dynamic and innovative business climate,” the press release continues.

“Ontario’s provincial parks provide a great opportunity for Ontarians to get out and enjoy our natural heritage. I would like to thank the Nature Conservancy of Canada for working with our government to ensure that this land can be protected,” said Bill Mauro, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry.