Fred Sheppard: A Life Shaped by Gros Morne National Park

Fred grew up in Cormack,  near Gros Morne National Park in Western Newfoundland, Canada, but it wasn’t until his time as a summer student in the late 1980s that he began to truly appreciate the park’s significance. He studied at Memorial University and, after traveling across Canada through programs like Katimavik, Fred returned to work at Gros Morne. Starting as a park interpreter in the late 1990s, he developed a deep understanding of the park’s unique geology, landscapes, and communities. Over decades, Fred has become a storyteller and guide, sharing the natural and cultural significance of Gros Morne with visitors from all over the world.

When did you first realize there was a national park at your doorstep?

I knew it was there from a young age. We used to visit places like Lomond Beach, have mussel boils, and camp in the area, but I didn’t have a real concept of what a national park meant. It was just a drive through the woods to the ocean. I only truly grasped its significance when I got my first job there as a summer student in the late 80s. That’s when I began to realize that people from all over the world were coming to see it, and it was something special.

How old were you when you started working in the park? 

I was in university, I think my second year. At the time, I was still undecided about my major, but then I got into a Bachelor of Education program. I worked at Lobster Cove Lighthouse for three summers, just talking to people about living in Newfoundland. I thought, “You’re going to pay me to do this? Yes, please!” It was an awesome experience.

Prior to that point, had you left Newfoundland for any extended period?

Yes, I had joined Katimavik in 1984, which gave me the chance to live in different places across Canada, like New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario. But working in Gros Morne during the summers really deepened my appreciation for Newfoundland, and for the park itself. I saw it not just as a beautiful protected landscape for flora and fauana but as an important place for residents and visitors alike.

Was there a particular moment when you thought, “This place is really special”?

Honestly, it didn’t hit me right away. In the late 80s, it was just a summer job that paid the bills while I was in university. It wasn’t until I became a park interpreter in 1997 that I truly understood Gros Morne’s importance. That summer, working with geologists and botanists and biologists and learning about the park’s significance—especially its geology—was a turning point. Gros Morne isn’t just a pretty landscape; it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its unique geological features and the stories they tell.

What makes Gros Morne so special? What would you say to someone who’s never been there?

People are often drawn to Gros Morne for its dramatic landscapes, but what really makes it special is the connection between the landscape and the communities around it. Visitors come for the scenery, but they leave with memories of the place, the people, the culture, and the experiences they’ve had with each of these things The landscape is the initial attraction, but it’s the relationships formed with local communitiesand the deeper connections made with the people and the place that stay with visitors.. Gros Morne isn’t just a place you visit—it’s a place where you slow down, take it all in, and build relationships with the land, with other people, with yourself. 

What are your favorite spots in Gros Morne?

That’s tough, but if I had to choose, I’d say Green Point, the Tablelands, and Green Gardens. I’ve spent a lot of time in those places, both professionally and personally with my family. My kids grew up exploring the park, and we spent countless hours on the trails and combing the beaches. The Tablelands are especially dear to me since I worked there as an interpreter for 15 years sharing stories about it’s otherworldly geology.

For those who don’t know, can you explain what it means to be a park interpreter?

People often ask, “What language do you interpret?” But being a park interpreter isn’t about translating languages we speak—it’s about taking the language of the landscape and making it accessible and understandable and engaging to visitors. We tell the stories of the place, whether it’s geology, biology, or cultural history, and make it engaging and entertaining for a wide range of audiences. You take complex information and present it in a way that’s enjoyable and meaningful, helping visitors build a stronger and deeper connection to place.

Reflecting on your career, what has working in the natural world taught you about life?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you don’t have to say or know everything to make an impact. Early in my career, I was focused on facts—dates, names, places. But over time, I realized that what truly matters is creating space for visitors to form their own connections with the park. People come to national parks for all kinds of reasons—recreation, reflection, healing. What we do as park interpreters is help facilitate that connection, often by simply allowing the landscape to speak for itself. National parks are places where people can find solace, inspiration, and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.

Any final thoughts on what Gros Morne means to you?

Gros Morne will always be a special place for me. It’s where I met my wife, our kids were born and raised, and where I’ve spent decades of my life. Every time I go back, it’s like visiting an old friend. The landscape may stay the same, but the experience is always new.

Photos by Johnny C.Y. Lam