Land of the Spirits

Kejimkujik National Park means Land of the Spirits in Mi'kmaw (the language of the Native Americans in Nova Scotia). The Park is home to the largest tract of old growth Hemlock forest left in Nova Scotia. Although a lot of Nova Scotia is forested, many of it is relatively young forest that has regrown after the Colonists cut it down 150-200 years ago. The secondary forest has a lot of tall trees but also a lot of understory and brush.

The Old Growth forest has very large old trees (300-500 years old) and not a lot of understory. It has a lot of moss to help keep the ground moist. Old Growth forest typically has very specialized species living in it and not as much biodiversity as secondary forest. When we walked through the Old Growth Hemlock forest today we often walked on raised wooden platforms because the roots of these trees are very fragile.

Fallen logs which then get covered in moss are called nurse logs because they support new life. Many fungi and other trees grow out of them as they are an important source of nutrients. Many forest managers take the nurse logs out because they are in the way to take other trees out. But actually they are really important for the health of the forest.

Kejimkujik is home to many endangered animals including an endangered turtle! The Blandings turtle population is estimated at only 300 adults. Habitat loss and fragmentation as well as road mortality contribute to their decline. They even have signs posted along the roads so people look out for them on the roads! Unfortunately we didn't see one but we did see an Osprey and some deer today!