[3] Along with the Mealy Mountains, the park protects a large portion of boreal forest, tundra and more than 50 kilometres of shoreline on the Labrador Sea and Lake Melville.

[3][5] It is inhabited by a variety of wildlife, fish and migratory birds, including the threatened Mealy Mountains woodland caribou herd, and healthy populations of wild atlantic salmon, in decline throughout its range.

[4] Other mammals that inhabit this park reserve are wolf packs, black bear, marten and two species of fox.

One of the concerns brought up by the area residents was regarding the "traditional land uses by Labradorians", which include "the continuing use of personal cabins, boil-ups (lunch and picnic fires), cutting wood for personal use, gathering medicinal and healing herbs, berry picking, fishing, and hunting, trapping and snaring small game".

[9] The park began as a reserve due to unresolved land claims negotiations with Innu people in the area.

[5] Larry Innes of The Canadian Boreal Initiative, who was part of the steering committee, said that "It's a change in policy which really fits the context here.