Rural and Ecotourism

APRIL 2016

SITELINESLandscape Architecture in British Columbia

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www.habitat-systems.com | 1 (866) 422-4828 | [email protected] and tourism 450–355 Burrard St. Vancouver, BC V6C 2G8 Rural Ecoby Randy Sharp, FCSLA, ASLA, LEED® A.P., G.R.P. T 604.682.5610 E [email protected] F 604.681.3394 [email protected] Experiencing the joy of reaching the top TF 855.682.5610 W www.bcsla.org of the mountain, crossing a canyon on a (Canada and US) www.sitelines.org cable footbridge, helping a villager clean up after a tropical storm, or having a simple feast at President Al Neufeld a homestay. Whether it's learning a new skill President Elect scott Watson such as cooking local food or speaking a new Past President Judith Blake Reeve language, travel presents ways in which we Registrar Mark Vaughan can further our knowledge and education. Treasurer cynthia Hildebrand Clive Justice and Randy Sharp at UBC “Learning makes our brains more active, which Directors Debra Barnes Botanical Garden, Rhododendron psychologists have found will increase our level Robert Fershau thomsonii of happiness… Being in foreign lands, it also Illarion Gallant Bob Lilly continuously forces me to step out of my comfort zone — a great confidence- Alexandre Man-Bourdan builder.”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jacadatravel/11-reasons-why-travel- Miriam Plishka makes-you-a-happier-person_b_6908918.htmlT CSLA Rep. Nastaran Moradinejad In this special issue on Rural and Ecotourism, we start our journey in the Himalayas during Directors (non-voting) the 1970’s, a great decade when virtually unlimited travel across Asia was possible with a UBC SALA Rep. cynthia Girling Canadian passport. It was the era of adventure travel and backpacking to remote agricultural Student Rep. allie Tweedie BCSLA Intern & villages, visiting undiscovered places, and having ‘fresh’ experiences. People were gracious Associate Rep. tBC and welcoming, happy to share their culture, their modest accommodation, and organic Exec. DIRECTOR Tara Culham food from the garden.

Sitelines is published six times per year; February, Clive Justice, FCSLA, LMBCSLA-003-L, describes his adventures in the Himalayas over a April, June, August, October, and November by the thirty-year period following in the tradition of the great Scottish plant hunters such as J.D. British Columbia Society of Landscape Architects and is mailed to all BCSLA members, registered Hooker. After he retired from active professional practice, Clive joined the Canadian landscape architects, associates and affiliates. Executive Service Organization (CESO) to assist the Government of Sikkim to establish The editorial deadline is the 8th and advertising rhododendron preserves, wildlife sanctuaries, park facilities and eco-lodges in order to is the 16th day of the intervening months. build a sustainable economy based on agriculture and ecotourism (see insert). Advertising rate information is available on request. Inquiries regarding editorial, advertising, The International Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as: "responsible travel to natural or other issues should be addressed to the Sitelines Editor, c/o the BCSLA at the above areas that conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people… address. To view the full-colour version of Ecotourism strives to minimize the adverse affects of hotels, trails and other infrastructure Sitelines, please visit www.sitelines.org. by using either recycled materials or plentifully available local building materials, renewable sources of energy, recycling and safe disposal of waste and garbage, and environmentally and culturally sensitive architectural design. In addition, ecotourism Sitelines Group builds environmental awareness, provides direct financial benefits for conservation… Guest Co-Editor Randy Sharp, and empowerment for local people…” https://www.ecotourism.org/what-is-ecotourism > MBCSLA (Inactive), FCSLA Co-Edi tor Tara Culham 604.682.5610 Advertising tara Culham In this Issue: 604.682.5610 fax: 604.681.3394 Rural and Ecotourism...... 3 Graphic Design addon Creative 604.379.5943 In the Footsteps of the Scottish Plant Hunters ...... 6 Printing Initial Printing Inc. 604.669.2383 In Search of the Elusive Rhododendron Grove ...... 8 The purpose of Sitelines is to provide an Wwoofing and Rural Tourism ...... 12 open forum for the exchange of ideas and information pertaining to the profession of Agri-Tourism in BC—A "Growing" Industry ...... 14 Cover Image: Rhododendron hodgsonii landscape architecture. Individual opinions and Abies spectabilis (Himalayan silver fir) Yellow Point Lodge ...... 16 expressed are those of the writers and not in Kanchenjunga National Park, Sikkim, INDIA Photography: Randy Sharp Mr. Menzies’ Garden Legacy Preview ...... 17

April 2016 SITELINES 3 nurture with nature

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4 SITELINES BC Society of Landscape Architects Randy Sharp and Carol Smith returned to ecotourism companies are offering ride-share, a great form of continuing education; the Himalayas in 2015 to see amazing rail, sailboat and kayak options as well as understanding how productive landscapes rhododendron forests in bloom and to organized tours by bicycle and/ or van. work, designing with nature, meeting witness how Sikkim has become a model for people, and understanding how their cultures ecotourism, organic agriculture, sustainable Back on the coast of British Columbia, connect with the land. We look forward to forestry, and water management in Asia. Cameron Murray, MBCSLA, welcomes us to hearing stories of great places to visit and Dylan Gale, of Wild Nettle Foods, provides take a kayak or bicycle down the coast of unusual encounters along your journey. SL an introduction to WWOOFING starting Vancouver Island to Yellow Point, a long in Nepal. The ‘World Wide Opportunities established eco-resort. We finish this journey on Organic Farms’ is a web of national in a comfortable armchair previewing a new organizations that link volunteers with colour edition of Mr. Menzies’ Garden organic farms and growers. Legacy, written by a great plant collector himself, Clive L. Justice, FCSLA, LMBCSLA- Kristina Salin, MBCSLA, MCIP, RPP, shares 003-L. Visiting places such as Yellow Point her planning and ecotourism strategies as Lodge, named after the yellow Sedum well as current governmental policies related oreganum, and surveying sites identified by to agri-tourism in BC. She provides several Archibald Menzies such as Discovery Point examples of western ranch experiences and and Menzies Bay are important. They inspire sustainable viticulture practices at a LEED® us to protect these iconic landscapes, and to certified winery. A popular event is the replicate these coastal and interior Pemberton Slow Food Cycle, where partici- ecosystems on rooftops in our cities and in pants visiting farms and fruit stands by the countrysides of BC. bicycle. ‘Getting there’ to rural destinations Members of the Washington, Oregon and without private motor vehicles or jet airplanes It is impossible to leave this planet without BC Chapters of the American Rhododendron may be challenging as we transition to a experiencing new landscapes. Local bicycle Society: Britt Smith, Jean Smith, Fred Palmer, Forrest Gump and Clive Justice, 1974. lower carbon economy; however more trips as well as travels to exotic lands are Photo: Clive Justice

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April 2016 SITELINES 5 Randy Sharp, FCSLA, ASLA, LEED® A.P., G.R.P.

In The Footsteps Of The Scottish Plant Hunters Conversations with Clive L. Justice, FCSLA, LMBCSLA #003-L

Curious about his tartan regalia, his obsession with rhododendrons, and trekking in the Himalayas, I confronted Clive Justice with many questions at a landscape architect’s holiday reception. He was delighted. I told him that my wife Carol and I were planning a trip to the Himalayas in the spring of 2015. Clive sent me his annotated map documenting the route of his travels in Sikkim, and where to find the best rhododendron forests. Our adventure in Sikkim is described in the next article, ‘In Search of the Elusive Rhododendron Grove.’

Meanwhile, Geoff Gooderham, MBCSLA, recommended we check out an interactive harsh and woody... eminently typical of the Top: J.D. Hooker’s Map of Sikkim and eastern book about the great plant collectors, com- arid stern climate it inhabits. The latest to Nepal, 1849 c/o Clive Justice plete with pockets full of maps, botanical bloom and earliest to mature its seeds, by far Bottom: Vintage WWII Jeeps and Land Rover, the diagrams and drawings of plants. In The the smallest in foliage, and proportionately primary form of transportation in Sikkim, 1974. All photos: Clive Justice Plant Hunters, Carolyn Fry pays homage to largest in flower... the most odoriferous... those whose obsession with plants gave rise (produced by) the most excessive climate, to our own passion for botanicals and a scorching sun by day and the keenest snow in so rarefied, an atmosphere gives gardening… Lavishly illustrated with more frost at night... For eight months of the soreness at once to unprotected eyes… (no than one hundred images from the archives year it is buried under many feet of snow… sunglasses) others hung Yaks' tails over at the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew*. (the crimson-purple) flower of this little their eyes… I have not lost or broken a mountaineer will remain open through single instrument during my journey, ✴ The Plant Hunters, Adventures of the days of fog and sleet…“attracting bumble- though I have had 8 thermometers in World’s Greatest Botanical Explorers, bees as well as the “Blues” and “Fritillaries” daily use, 2 barometers, 2 chronometers, by Carolyn Fry species of butterflies. 3 compasses, a sextant, a artificial horizon http://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/ (and) a vasculum full of plants…” http://www. chicago/P/bo17224006.html The trials and travels of the plant hunters and archive.org/streamlifelettersofsir01hook rich/ collectors were not easy. Hooker continues in lifelettersofsir01hookrich_djvu.txt Clive also told me stories about the great his letters to colleagues back at Kew. “In the Scottish plant hunter, J.D. Hooker. Under magical light of a young moon, everything The great plant hunters of the Himalayas extreme conditions, Hooker collected Wooly was bathed in beauty and imaginative faced far bigger challenges than the earlier Lactuceae, Gentians, Chrysanthemums, suggestion, but all pleasure was lost in the naturalists such as Archibald Menzies, Saxifrages and miniature Rhododendrons headache and giddiness and bodily lassitude who surveyed the coastal areas of British at elevation 18,000ft (5486m) in northern brought on by exertion in that thin air.” Columbia in the relative comfort of Her Sikkim. He described Rhododendron nivak (Acute Mountain Sickness). At this elevation, Majesties’ Ship. Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker, as “the loftiest of all shrubs (in altitude)… a few steps under any circumstances is 1817-1911, was also trained both as a naturalist branches are densely interwoven, very fatiguing, and the glare of the new fallen and surgeon in Scotland. He was the first

6 SITELINES BC Society of Landscape Architects Porters on 1974 trek with Rhododendron falconeri Cooking momos (Tibetan dumplings) at Retreat 108

westerner to enter Sikkim, a remote kingdom primroses, cinquefoils, louseworts and for the state government. Clive had recently sandwiched between Nepal, Tibet, India Cobra-lilies. Situated at an altitude of retired from his practice of landscape and Bhutan in the eastern Himalayas. The 3,564m (11,693ft), the Yumthang valley is architecture in Vancouver, and joined the original inhabitants of Sikkim were the also the location of Singbha Rhododendron Canadian Executive Services Overseas Bhoteas and Lepchas, joined later by the Sanctuary, featuring 24 species of indi- (see insert in this magazine). CESO recruited Nepalese and Tibetans who immigrated genous species. retired and semi-retired professional and over the mountains to avoid persecution business people as volunteers to assist Clive’s expedition stayed at Lachung, a and to find greener pastures. These hardy government agencies and businesses in former British hill station located at an mountain people of Sikkim live simple under-developed countries. elevation of 2,900 m (9,600ft) where the lives as farmers and serving as hosts, Lachen and Lachung Rivers meet. The Clive prepared An Assessment of Visitor guides and porters, originally for the plant Scottish explorer, Joseph Dalton Hooker, Facilities in Sikkim. The report recommended hunters, and now, for a new generation of described Lachung as the "most picturesque improvements to parks, viewpoints, historic adventure seekers. village of Sikkim" in his Himalayan journal. sites, hotels and facilities for ecotourism. One Clive and members of the American Hooker spent four years mapping and of Clive’s recommendations was to encourage Rhododendron Society, first traveled to documenting the incredible biodiversity each and every visitor to Sikkim to plant Sikkim in 1974, during the dying days of and geology of the Himalayas (see his map), a rhododendron or tree. He toured many the Kingdom. Palden Thondup Namgyal, as well as collecting its unusual flora and of the conservation reserves, rhododendron the last Chogyal (shogun) of the Kingdom commenting on the mountain inhabitants. sanctuaries and wildlife refuges that today of Sikkim, invited Clive’s botanical entourage cover nearly 31 per cent of the total land area Two of J. D. Hooker’s inspirations were the to a lavish dinner and drinks at the royal palace of Sikkim. http://www.sikkimforest.gov.in/ Scottish botanists Archibald Menzies and Wildlife.htm in Gangtok. A year later, after an up-rising David Douglas who explored the West Coast of the people and a statewide referendum held collecting the indigenous pink and white In 2000, Clive visited Sikkim again with in 1975, Sikkim became a state of India and rhododendrons. Hooker’s greatest achieve- several members of the 1974 American the monarchy was abolished. ment, however, was the discovery of 24 new Rhododendron Society botanical tour. Keshab C. Pradhan, author of several brightly coloured species in pure red, The tour was organized as well by Keshab books including The Rhododendrons of the scarlet, crimson, purple, white and yellow. C. Pradhan and his son Sailesh Pradhan, Himalayas and Sikkim, and his associate, Many of these Himalayan rhododendrons who formed Sikkim Adventure Botanical P.K. Barnett, the Chief Forester of North are parents of the hardy hybrid varieties Tours and Treks at 6th Mile outside Sikkim, were retained as guides for the 1974 found in our western gardens. Rhodo- of Gangtok. The group revisited several botanical expedition. Leaving Gangtok in a dendromania swept Britain between 1851 rhododendron protected areas including convoy of vintage WWII Jeeps, the group and 1871, and Hooker became the second the Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary on the drove to remote villages in the high alpine director of the Royal Botanical Garden at Kew. border of Bhutan. Clive was honored for his valleys of the Teesta watershed near the Clive returned to Sikkim in 1991, at the conservation work by the government of Tibetan border. The ‘valley of flowers,’ invitation of K.C. Pradhan, now the Chief Sikkim at the designated ‘Clive’s Point’, a Yumthang, is a virtual paradise, carpeted in Secretary of the Forestry Department, and popular destination and panorama viewpoint June with tiny Himalayan flowers including P.K. Basnett, Chief Conservator of Forests overlooking spectacular rhododendron >

April 2016 SITELINES 7 forests and distant views of Himalayan Rajasthan. Additionally, partly as a result Funding for water supply and waste mountain ranges. of plastic bags blocking drains in Mumbai management infrastructure is also provided in 2005 over 1,000 people died in massive through the community Small Grants Scheme How sustainable is ecotourism in rural monsoon flooding there.*” Several towns (SGS) from the Department of Planning and India? Recognized internationally as a and cities are also considering banning Economic Reforms, Government of Sikkim.* ‘hotspot of bio-diversity’, Sikkim’s forestry plastic bottles, typically dumped off the department has set aside 43% of the forests sides of roads along with construction debris. ✴ http://ecoss.org.in/?page_id=28 as an interconnected Protected Area Net- The entire State of Sikkim produces only work.* The department has also established ✴ http://planetsave.com/2010/07/29/ organic fruit and vegetables, as it has for programs to create awareness of the natural largest-state-in-india-bans-plastic-bags-2/ flora and to facilitate wildlife migration. For millennia. Cow manure, ashes, leaves and every tree cut down anywhere in the state, The Eco-Tourism & Conservation Society of food compost are plowed back into the fields; one has to be planted. Sikkim (ECOSS) is presently executing the nothing on the farm is wasted. The agricultural Rural Tourism Cluster Project with funding terraces follow the contours of the steep ✴ The Rhododendrons of Sikkim, partners for the promotion of community valleys to conserve moisture and soil. Flood K.C. Pradham based homestays and ecotourism activities irrigation fills up one terrace and then flows in various villages near popular tourist in grass lined channels down to the next “The provinces of Kerala, Sikkim, West destinations in Sikkim such as the Bersey terrace. Footpaths separate the fields and Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra all Rhododendron Sanctuary. ECOSS is also follow the ridgelines up to hillside villages. have bans on plastic bags in place but so far conducting a pilot project for the revival of Under the shade of a massive fig tree, students they have proved difficult to police. Delhi the ancient weaving practice of giant nettle in uniform as well as men and women share also introduced a ban last year. Some of fiber cloth amongst the Lepcha community conversations while waiting for the next ride the main reasons for the ban were that of Dzongu. In Yuksom, the agency is provi- share in a Jeep. Sikkim is halfway around the plastic bags blocking sewer lines drainage ding solid waste management, telecommuni- world; however, there is a lot that we can systems and water distribution pipelines cation capacity building, and sustainability learn by immersing ourselves in the local were increasing malaria and dengue fever in workshops for rural tourism operators. culture and sharing stories. SL

8 SITELINES BC Society of Landscape Architects In Search of the Elusive RhododendronGrove Randy Sharp, FCSLA, ASLA, LEED® A.P., G.R.P. A Botanical Trek in the Himalayas of Sikkim

Ever since traveling around the world place on earth, Cherrapunji, Meghalaya, in in 80 days with friends in 1979, I had NE India. Were we crazy? Most vacationers wanted to return to the Himalayas to find from Vancouver want to dry out in April ‘Shangri-La,’ and to re-experience the after a long winter by visiting Palm Springs, rhododendron forest. A distant memory Mexico or Hawaii! Monsoons sweep across from 1979 while trekking in Nepal, my the lowland plains of Bangladesh and literally friend Jake and I discovered a grove of drop a wall of water on Cherrapunji twisted trees resembling our native Arbutus. complete with spectacular wild lightning Tall gnarly trunks supported a high canopy displays. Massive waterfalls spill over the of brilliant red blossoms. Below, the forest 1,800m (6,000ft) high escarp-ment into deep floor was carpeted with fragrant white canyons inhabited by former pigmy-like daphne. I shared my story with Clive Justice, hunters. The local villagers are friendly now FCSLA, LMBCSLA-003-L. He speculated that and offer tours down deep into the tropical we might have seen Rhododendron arboreum, jungle to see Cherrapunji’s unusual root and the Paper daphne, Daphne bholua. bridges, braided from the air roots of massive fig trees, Ficus elastic. After months of research and booking online with local travel agencies in India, on After getting soaked from the pre-monsoon April 3, 2015, my wife Carol and I flew to thunderstorms, Carol and I left Meghalaya New Delhi by way of Frankfurt. We connected and drove to Tawang, elevation 3,048m on a local flight to Bagdogra, a former air force (10,000ft), near the border of Tibet, home of base, where we had arranged for a driver to the second largest Buddhist monastery in Top left: Corduory ‘road’ through Rhododendron pick us up in a Toyota Innova mini-van. the world (next to Llasha). After riding three forest Top right: Campsite at Tshoka, a former Tibetan village Bottom right: On the Tibetan days there, and three days back over the highway through a grove of Rhododendron I had this brilliant idea to go to the wettest worst road in India, and after sleeping in> arboreum. All images Randy Sharp.

April 2016 SITELINES 9 Cherrapunji’s root bridges, braided from the roots of Ficus elastica unheated ‘hotel’ rooms with no hot water, packs, sleeping bags, tents, a dinner table, After crossing a massive rock landslide we were happy to return to civilization. We and a decorative red Portable Pop-up Toilet at the entrance to the steep river valley, passed the tea plantations of Assam en and Changing Tent fit for a queen. Carol and I entered a dark sub-tropical, route to the grasslands of West Bengal. incredibly diverse, forest paradise. We Leaving Yuksom, elevation 1,780m (5,840ft), At Jaldharpara National Park, we rode saw massive Mahonia, Arisaema (jack-in- we started our hike through terraced fields elephants in search of the one-horned the-pulpit), philodendrons, strangler fig, of barley and cardamom. Cardamom is Rhinoceroses (we saw many) and the Bengal ferns, stinging nettles, and Viburnum with Sikkim’s number one export crop, popular tiger (they were elusive). giant stands of bamboo, maple, oak and in South Asian dishes, West Coast fusion, cinnamon trees. We crossed a narrow one- The next day, we arrived in sunny peaceful and in cardamom cinnamon rolls on Main track cable suspension high above the Yuksom, end of the road in West Sikkim, to Street in Vancouver. On the first day, we Rathong, and then climbed steeply up through acclimatize for our trek to Kanchenjunga climbed 1,000m (3,280ft) vertical on an a broad forest with a high canopy of live National Park. We were treated like royalty ancient Tibetan highway, originally built Oak trees. I hit the wall! at the Red Palace, a hand crafted timber for convoys of yaks. These days, the large ‘eco-lodge’ overlooking Buddhist temples and big horned ‘dzo’ (pronounced zoo), a Approaching Tshoka, we regained strength terraced farms that cascade down into deeply cross between the thick hairy yak and the as we entered an amazing ‘arboretum’ of incised valleys. Yuksom, the ancient capital of water buffalo, dominate the trails; Step hemlock, fir and rhododendrons in brilliant Sikkim is now a rustic town for eco-tourists. aside quickly! red, fuscia, creamy pink and yellow cream In 1642, the coronation of the first Chogyal of blossoms. We climbed up through immense Nordic hiking poles are essential for extra Sikkim was officiated by the three venerated moss-covered boulders with a high canopy propulsion in climbing, as well as for Lamas under a massive Cryptomeria tree.* of Rhododendron arboreum, filled with stability descending the slippery steps, red trusses towering 25m (80ft) above, with worn smooth by centuries of use. This is ✴ Lonely Planet, India Travel Guide, 2015, highlights of white magnolia. Spectacular! by Sarina Singh et. al. the ultimate ‘step-master’, pure cardio, especially for a person with Parkinson’s Tshoka was our first campsite on the trek, Mingma Tshering Sherpa organized permits who needs sustained exercise everyday. site of former outpost and village for Tibetan and logistics for our trek from his office of The trail is characterized by oversize refugees. Our Sherpa hosts prepared a feast Mountain Tours, Treks and Travels. Two 600 x 600mm and larger ‘yak’ steps, for us: chai tea followed by momos (Tibetan porters, a guide, a cook, a wrangler and five corduroy boardwalks, slippery clay sections, dumplings), noodle soup with fresh pack horses will be carrying fresh food for and stepping-stone slabs over wet areas vegetables, and paneer makahani (Indian us, cooking utensils, tea pots, our heavy and streams. cheese in a creamy garlic-tomato-ginger

10 SITELINES BC Society of Landscape Architects Two porters, a guide, a cook, a wrangler and pack horses with the author Iridescent pink-mauve bark of Rhododendron barbatum

sauce), as well as fresh fruit, rice pudding Our guide Pema woke us up at 4am to hike up Based on the frequency of pre-monsoon and more chai, served on a dinner table for the sunrise over Kanchenjunga, the third storms, we decided to cancel our trek to complete with white tablecloth. highest peak in the world at 8,586m (28,169ft). the border of Nepal where we originally The clear dark sky with no moon presented hoped to see Mt. Everest. It was a very We woke up the next morning to a deep blue a dazzling display of shooting stars, conste- fortuitous decision because on April 25th sky with towering views of Mt. Pandim and llations of the Southern Hemisphere and the at noon, disaster struck the Himalayas. A Singalila Ridge to the west on the border Milky Way. I ate a Mars bar and put on my 7.8 magnitude earthquake centered near of Nepal. “By 10,100 feet (3,078m) we were headlamp. We clamored up the steep frozen Kathmandu in Nepal killed over 3,000 surrounded by a forest of R. arboreum, trail, sometimes on hands and feet to a persons when entire villages were buried by R. barbatum, R. grande, R. falconeri and panoramic viewpoint. As we reached Dzongri landslides and an avalanche decimated the R. wightii topped by gaunt, but spectacular Ridge, Kanchenjunga and its satellite peaks base camp at Everest.* Sikkim lies along the Abies spectabilis, the Himalayan silver started to glow pink in the pre-dawn light same unstable fault zone as Nepal. Luckily, fir. At 10,500 feet (3,200m) we entered a followed by first rays of the golden sun. Carol and I had just returned from an band of R. hodgsonii with its smooth pink Eventually, the whole massif was illuminated overnight hike in the Bersey Rhododendron and peeling bark, and flowers varying from as well as layers of Himalayan mountain Sanctuary. When the earthquake hit, we rose to reddish-purple. Interspersed with ranges in all directions. were fortunate to be standing on solid rock the larger trees we saw R. campylocarpum overlooking the sacred Khechuperi Lake. The and R. thomsonii.* As the world unfolded around us, we quake lasted for 15 seconds; however it seemed discovered an alpine landscape of low like an eternity. Moments before there were ✴Excerpts from a 1992 trek to spreading Rhododendron anthopogon, R. birds singing, tourists laughing and hens Kanchenjunga National Park and setosum, and R. lepidotum as well as clucking; then everything went totally silent. Biosphere Reserve, published in the Journal impenetrable thickets of R. campanulatum.* The only sound was the distant rumble of a of the American Rhododendron Society, by The morning sun illuminated the smooth rockslide high up in the mountains. Sue Muller Hacking and Chip Muller iridescent pink-mauve bark and the large deep green leaves of the Rhododendron http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JARS/ hodgsonii, named by J.D. Hooker after his ✴ http://www.bbc.com/news/world- v47n4/v47n4-hacking.htm fellow naturalist, Brian Houghton Hodgson. asia-32475030 As Carol and I approached Phedang, we The R. hodgsonii was a thick entanglement Luckily, nobody locally was injured, and encountered thick fog, fresh snow and a of twisted branches, formed by constant landslides did not block any of the roads slippery eroded trail, overused by the dzo wind and the heavy snowfalls. out of Sikkim. We escaped the next day convoy trains. The next morning we awoke to Darjeeling, with stopovers in Delhi ✴ http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/ to a flooded meadow outside our tent that and London. We were very happy to return JARS/v47n4/v47n4-hacking.htm looked like curry soup, churned up by to the comforts of home in Vancouver. dozens of dzo and packhorses. The snow Back at camp, the rest of our crew was Leaving the Himalayas, Carol exclaimed in turned to sleet. I read Chasing the Monsoon, packing up our soggy tents for the long two- exasperation “that was too much adventure! by Alexander Frater, subtitled ‘A Modern day return trip down the mountain. It was For the next trip, we will go on a real holiday, Pilgrimage through India’ which included a knee crusher, stepping down what seemed and I will do the booking.” Should we go stories about Cherrapunji, the wettest place like 10,000 steps. We were happy to be back to someplace dry, the desert? Palm Springs? on earth. How appropriate! After all day in in Yuksom to relax in the relative comfort I hear there is great rock climbing at Joshua a damp tent, Carol asked “when will this end?” of the Red Palace. Tree National Park! SL

April 2016 SITELINES 11 Wwoofing by Dylan Gale and Rural Tourism

There are six of us crowded into the weekend worktrade for four city dwellers understood by travellers and farmers kitchen playing the daily bedtime at a biodynamic farm at Emerson College throughout the world, allowing low-budget dice game at Ama and Bua’s farm. We in Sussex. In exchange for their labours, rural tourism to flourish. Today, there is have our lucky slogan that we shout when they received a free getaway from the country specific WWOOF organizations in we roll, and Bua’s is, “Maybe one thousand city with room and board on the farm over 60 countries and additional hosts in coming?!” I’m in Nepal, wwoofing in the provided. This arrangement allowed urbanites another 60 countries that do not have their “foothills” of the Annapurnas, getting a the ability to access the countryside and own organization. Judging by wwoofings first hand insight into rural Nepali life. support the organic farming movement success, it was an idea whose time had come. My hosts are nothing short of inspiring while the hosts benefited from their labour. My time at Ama and Bua’s was the most with their permaculture food forest, local As more folks became interested in this “authentic” experience I had in my journeys coffee co-op, rice breeding program and concept, an organization called Weekend through Nepal and India. Not only was I warmhearted generosity. The landscape is Workers On Organic Farms was started and in the hills where few tourists have set foot, on par with the hosts, epic terraced valleys quickly grew. This rural tourism movement I also learned about their culture, their with rice, millet, coffee and gorgeous views has proliferated and evolved to be an farming methods and even some things of the Anapurnas around every corner. This international phenomenon that often sees about my favourite beverage, coffee! Every is where wwoofing really shines, allowing wwoofers staying at farms for months at a day community members brought fresh tourists to get off the beaten path, out of the time as they stretch their budget and learn picked coffee berries to the farm and it was cities and into real rural life just about valuable organic farming skills. Over time the wwoofers’ job to ferment them, grind anywhere on earth. the “Weekend Workers” have been replaced off the fruit and spread out the beans to What is wwoofing anyways? WWOOF with “Willing Workers” or “WorldWide dry. It was news to me that coffee starts as originated in 1971 in England, when Sue Opportunities”. More importantly though, a red berry and then gets fermented before Coppard, a London secretary, organized a the term “wwoof” has become commonly being dried and sent around the world for roasting and consumption. Wwoofing gave Terraced hillside in the Himalayas. Photo: Randy Sharp me hands on experience and a richer understanding of something that I drink every day. I also got to dig up turmeric root, make traditional ghee from fermented milk and operate the biogas producing compost digester. Other wwoofing experiences I’ve had include a couple of hard working weeks in Telemark, Norway where I learned to milk cows and picked cloud berries up in the mountains (yum!), and a couple of weeks of rowdy fun in southern Portugal where I got to harvest and process peanuts and go surfing every day. Each adventure was a good fit for that stage of my life which goes to show that wwoofing has a great diversity to offer.

12 SITELINES BC Society of Landscape Architects The opportunity to live and work with farmers throughout the world gives the modern traveller the ability to experience real rural life, a very different experience than the average tourist. Practical activities add a richness that can often be hard to find when travelling. Relationships with people and nature can be developed along with ideas and skills about alternate living and agriculture. For many, wwoofing can be a life changing experience, opening doors to new lifestyles and ways of being in the world. Wwoofing has certainly been a formative part of my life and has given me the opportunity to sample many different styles of farming in a diversity of places. Wwoofing, along with farm apprenticeships, has helped me develop my own agricultural philosophy and practices, as well as having a large influence on my relationships with Wwoofing on a farm in Norway, Dylan Gale land in general. Wwoofing may have even more to offer the urban landscape architect. As one of the primary connectors of the urban and exciting and fun to see what is available but natural realms, the landscape architect’s frustrating when the one that sounds ideas about nature are vital to their work. perfect is too busy or only want wwoofers BIO | Dylan Gale lives in who will stay for longer than you can Most of our nature experiences today are traditional Pentlach territory on wilderness based, as city dwellers escape on manage. Give yourself plenty of time to Denman Island, British Columbia. an adventure in the great outdoors, be it a communicate back and forth with potential walk on the beach, a hike in the mountains hosts, and be aware that not all hosts He holds a Bachelor of Arts in or a Sunday drive to the lake. Wwoofing will be a good match for you, so pick them Philosophy and Environmental carefully and understand what you are offers a different sort of nature experience, Studies from the University of one in which the human is very much a part committing to. WWOOF hosts usually Victoria and has wwoofed in of the natural processes and is actively expect 4-6 hours of labour a day in exchange involved in manipulating nature in order to for room and board and this is considered Canada, Sweden, Denmark, produce a livelihood. Could this different the standard. Unfortunately, there is almost Norway, Portugal, and Nepal. sort of experience change the way a always more that could be done on a farm Dylan spends his time farming, landscape architect, or any professional for and unless a wwoofer is feeling inspired to that matter, does their job? work extra, they should make their limits working on the ferry and making known. If you want a specific educational Nettle Pesto with with his partner, Perhaps the only way to find out is to try component make that clear ahead of time, it, and maybe it isn’t necessary to travel Emily Guinane. His passion for and ask if that is something they can too far either. There is plenty of WWOOF food and agriculture has been provide. Most importantly, try to be excited hosts here in Canada, and some may be and optimistic, remember if you really don’t greatly enriched through his close enough to you to become your regular like it your can always leave. SL wwoofing adventures. Check weekend getaway. Part of the fun and challenge of wwoofing is the sheer diversity out their business' website at of WWOOF hosts and wwoofers out To get started on your own WWOOF wildnettlefoods.com. there. Finding a farm to wwoof at can be a adventure check out wwoof.net bit like buying stuff in the classifieds: or wwoof.ca

April 2016 SITELINES 13 Agri-tourism in BC by Kristina Salin, — A ‘Growing’ Industry MBCSLA, MCIP, RPP

Saddle up your taste buds! education components as well as Agri-tourism is on the rise a variety of sustainable tourism across British Columbia. experiences specifically rooted in Touted as the latest prodigious farming. By encouraging visitors trend in tourism, agri-tourism to enrich the local economy, they is commonly described as contribute to the preservation a temporary or seasonal tourist and prosperity of the agricultural activity, service or facility community they experience as a associated with agricultural tourist. For a certain percentage of land that complements a BC residents, a visit to a farm is a farming activity. As eco- near daily occurrence or one that tourism continues to enjoy is inherent in rural Canadian its primary consideration in the culture but for many urbanites or sustainable future of tourism visitors to Canada; it is a singular around the world, agri-tourism and special event. Agri-tourists is emerging as a correspon- may gain an entirely new under- dingly popular trend. standing of the challenges facing Examples of agri-tourism agricultural operations in this abound in BC and include current socio-economic climate, farm retail sales, farm stands simply by visiting a farm. and markets; farm and In the absence of a regulatory pumpkin patch tours, product framework for this type of processing, horse riding tourism, the British Columbia and cattle driving, livestock Ministry of Agriculture is working shows; hay, tractor and sleigh An Okanagan view. on a provincial Bylaw Standard rides; farm picnicking; corn for agri-tourism. As of January 15, mazes; stocked pond fishing; 2016 the comment period on the proposed wine tasting and vineyard dining; farm Although it is entirely possible to create Bylaw is closed, however local governments education, cooking classes, harvest fairs, your own agri-tourism tour by connecting are concurrently striving to represent charity fundraisers using farm products, visits to ranches, orchards and wineries as both the economic development needs of bird and wildlife refuges; bed and breakfast in the examples above; select BC tourism their farming communities with the or agri-camping and large or small scale organizations are already marketing agri- necessity to preserve farmland for food open air concert events. tourism tours in their regions. The Thompson production. The challenge to strike the right Okanagan Tourism Authority has put Since the days of the famed Woodstock balance is significant as agri-tourism has together multi-day agri-tourism tours that Music Festival, farm land has been utilized the potential to add considerable value to include visits to working cattle ranches, for large open air concerts and British farming operations by diversifying and wildlife preserves, lavender farms, orchards, Columbia is no exception to this supplementing income that leads to greater honey farms, wineries, an artisan cheese Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) land is community stability. At the same time, farm and more. currently temporarily utilized by the excessive or inappropriately conceived agri- Pemberton Music Festival, Squamish Music Borrowing from the principles of ecotourism, tourism activities may undermine the very Festival and many others. agri-tourism tours also include heritage and nature of agriculture in its community. If

14 SITELINES BC Society of Landscape Architects the balance tips toward too much alteration are taking this and other issues into Ranch, Canada’s largest working cattle of farmland for agri-tourism activities it consideration and bridging the gap between ranch established in 1884; which offers a may be difficult to bring the land back rural zoning, tourism planning and agri- range of experiences from fishing adventures for food production. cultural planning in many jurisdictions to horseback riding and engagement in through-out the province. cattle operations. The Flying ‘U’ Ranch at In essence, both ecotourism and agri- Green Lake in the Cariboo offers the only tourism were around long before there Estate wineries and working cattle ranches ‘free-ride’ horseback riding (no dusty were catchy phrases to describe them. are two very unique examples of a guided trail rides) on 40,000 acres (16,100 Although images conjured for ecotourism perfect marriage between agriculture and hectares) of hills, meadows, lakes and usually equal parrots of the Costa Rican tourism and particularly fitting for British forests. Guests stay in log cabins dating back rainforests and agri-tourism the dude Columbia tourism. Some model agri-tourism to 1922, go on hayrides, participate in ranch vacations of the Billy Crystal variety; offerings can be found in the Township of square dancing and hang out at the saloon they are very much alike in terms of Langley, Tourism Chilliwack and Thompson for a ‘truly western experience.’ mandate as well as product. The United Okanagan. Local jurisdictions are working Tantalus Vineyards out of Kelowna is the Nations World Tourism Organization to create appropriate policy around agri- first LEED® Certified Winery in BC. It is a defines sustainable tourism as "Tourism tourism in order to support farmers by naturally farmed vineyard that is hand that takes full account of its current and allowing a diversified source of income tended with no use of herbicides. For a self- future economic, social and environmental on ALR lands. The Agricultural Land propelled adventure visit the Pemberton impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, Commission (ALC) is there to protect Slow Food Cycle and pedal your way along the industry, the environment and host food production for all BC residents and the Pemberton Meadows Road, visiting communities” Regulation around both types although agri-tourism can present regulatory and political challenges, the Province of BC farms along the way. Delicacies include of tourism are slow to evolve and in my is committed to tourism and coupled with organic beef farming, organic vodka dis- recent experience working with Agricultural eco-tourism tenets; agri-tourism is another tilling, organic produce and baking as well Area Plans, I have come to better understand rural adventure just waiting to bloom. For as gelato and fun events for kids and the some differing perspectives on what the more information on regulatory frameworks whole family. sustainability mandate means to different associated with agri-tourism, the ALC has a While this list is not exhaustive of what stakeholders. number of available publications relating agri-tourism offerings are available across What some farmers view as agri-tourism to agri-tourism definition and regulation. the province, hopefully it provides a snap- and why this is a big part of the viable The BC Agri-tourism Alliance has a shot of the potential value agri-tourism future for those on ALR lands is significant. mandate to promote agri-tourism in the brings to the BC Tourism economy. Recent The ALR lands designation allows for province of BC however this organization trends and current events in agri-tourism bona-fide farming use and land owners still under development. Langley Township, can provide inspiration for further discussion enjoy certain relaxations because of this Central Okanagan Regional District and as to its value and its likeness to ecotourism bona-fide use. Some of the zoning and Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen in terms of an authentic value added product. permitting issues around use of ALR lands have good working examples of current It may be that ecotourism and agri-tourism and agri-tourism stem from the different zoning regulations for agri-tourism in BC. are already outdated paradigms and we are requirements for structures designed as Of particular interest is The Circle Farm ripe for considering a blended sustainable a riding ring, machine shed or an Tour which promotes agritourism in the ‘rural tourism experience’ tailored specifically animal barn and those intended for the Fraser Valley. for British Columbia. assembly of people. Agricultural plans Visit a Cattle Ranch such as Douglas Lake Food for thought! SL

Family photo at the Flying U Ranch, Green Lake in the Cariboo, Nicola Sharp Pemberton Slow Food Cycle, by David Niddrie, photographer

April 2016 SITELINES 15 by Cameron Murray, MBCSLA

Yellow Pointon Vancouver Lodge Island

Sedum flowers (Sedum oreganum) tint the forest. And swimming in the salt-water Yellow Point Lodge provides a gracious the shoreline with gold blossoms pool is inviting after a good game or day of and welcoming atmosphere, thanks to and provide the namesake colour activities. Then, on Saturday night, a dance the Hill family and staff. Visitors travel for Yellow Point. The Point projects band encourages dancers to glide across backwards in time to a place of tranquility. eastward from Vancouver Island toward the old sprung hardwood floor. Lodge design elements are vernacular post an archipelago of Gulf Islands. Saltspring, and beam, with a marvelous sandstone A gong sounds three times a day to beckon Thetis, Galiano, Valdes, De Courcy, Mudge fireplace. Cabins have a rustic simplicity, guests to the dining room, overlooking and Gabriola Islands are all within view, with modern wood stoves. Walkers, the blue yonder of Stuart Channel. An across Stuart Channel. following natural desire lines, have worn assortment of delicious meals is served as a meandering walkways that interconnect the Yellow Point Lodge provides and enchanting fixed menu at round tables encouraging diversity of landscapes. And these mature introduction for visitors to encounter fellow guests to mingle. It is a bit like forest pathways have an ancient quality, the natural environment of Southeast summer camp for adults, and many stories beckoning a walk into prehistory. SL Vancouver Island. The lodge and rustic are shared. Dining is also considered one of cabins were first created in the 1930's and the key events of a Yellow Point triathlon, comprise only ten percent of the point, along with napping and reading. which retains 180 acres of old growth forest. Landscape architects balance built form Site ecosystems include: Douglas-fir forest, with natural form. It is refreshing to cedar groves, wetlands, arbutus and Garry encounter such an imbalance toward Oak wildflower meadows, with eelgrass nature. In lieu of nine parts architecture communities in the intertidal zones. and one part landscape, as often in urban A spring walking loop at Yellow Point may areas; the Yellow Point recipe is reversed include shell beaches, sandstone cliffs, and to place one part architecture within nine Garry Oak forests, with coastal meadows of parts nature. This is a generosity of space sea blush and camas. Trillium, fawn lilies that invites trillium; According to ecologist and shooting stars also appear in the forest Robert Dorney, trillium only requires one floor, beneath arbutus, cedar and ancient acre of forest per plant. douglas fir. Deer, eagle, heron and quail are among species inhabiting the forest, with waterfowl, otters, sea lions, seals and Yellow Point Lodge and ocean ‘pool’ occasionally orcas tracing the shorelines. by Cameron Murray, MBCSLA Tranquility pervades the site, once you Yellow Point meadow with sea blush, Plectritis congesta by Cameron Murray, MBCSLA have travelled the long gravel roadway through the forest. Wind, waves and birdcalls soon replace city sounds. And visitors may empty their ears of car horns and roaring engines. Yellow Point is a place to unplug from modernity. Televisions and telephones are not part of the Lodge experience. Instead, visitors return to a pre-modern experience of literature and conversation.

Kayaks are available to navigate the Point and to take in the view from the water. Bicycles are on hand for visitors to pedal to the Crow and Gate for crab cakes and Kilkenny. Tennis is available on a court in

16 SITELINES BC Society of Landscape Architects Randy Sharp, FCSLA, ASLA, LEED® A.P., G.R.P. Mr. Menzies’ the new Garden Legacy colour edition The new edition of Mr. Menzies’ Garden the undulating green roof design and plant Legacy, by Clive L. Justice, FCSLA, LMBCSLA selection for the coastal landscapes around #003-L, will feature over 70 new colour the new Visitor’s Centre at VanDusen renditions of the Flora of the West Botanical Gardens. Clive has included hand Coast of Canada, Washington State and drawn maps also indicating unique places Alaska. West Coast botanical art, featuring such as Discovery Point, Washington, the diversity of plant species collected by where Arbutus menziesii (so named) was Archibald Menzies, was displayed at the observed growing in association with University of British Columbia. Rhododendron macrophyllum.

Scottish surgeon and naturalist Archibald Menzies joined Captain George Vancouver on his voyages to the West Coast of the Americas to complete the charting of started by Captain James Cook. The H.M.S. Discovery reached Vancouver Island in October 1792. Menzies recorded maples, alder and rhododendrons, as well as naming the genus Menziesia (False azalea), the spectacular Arbutus menziesii and the mighty Douglas fir, Psuedotsuga menziesii. On his return voyage to England, he stopped in Chile and picked up several unknown seeds that germinated onboard. The unusual tree was named the Monkey Puzzle Tree and this first specimen lived for over 100 years at Kew Botanical Gardens. Coastal bluff wildflower meadow at East Point, Saturna Island. Photos: Randy Sharp Clive offers an educational chronicle of Menzies’ plant exploration and discoveries through short, informative accounts. Each thematic chapter can be read on its own; however, the stories do jump around in In summary, Mr. Menzies’ Garden Legacy place and time. The casual writing style is a wealth of knowledge for history and contains many references to the life and gardening enthusiasts containing many time of Archibald Menzies, his colleagues Arbutus menziesii at Francis Point, near anecdotes about common West Coast at Kew Gardens and the great plant Pender Harbour plants. The book documents the coastal hunters that followed (see the article in this wildflowers of the Garry Oak ecosystem issue of Sitelines describing the adventures such as Woolly sunflower, Alliums, Camas of J.D. Hooker). lily, wild strawberry Kinnikinnick, Fescues Cornelia Hahn Oberlander, LMBCSLA, 029-L, and Sedums that are very adaptable to FCSLA, FASLA, OC, recently delivered the thin soils on the extreme microclimates Margolese Prize Lecture and gave a shout of building rooftops. The descriptions of out to Clive as the author of Mr. Menzies’ plant communities and illustrations are Garden Legacy. Both Ms. Oberlander and very helpful for landscape architects and Sharp & Diamond Landscape Architecture green roof professionals designing living consulted Mr. Menzies’ Garden Legacy for breathing buildings. SL

April 2016 SITELINES 17 Urban Form Series

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April 2016 SITELINES19 Eco-Priora® in Harvest Blend and Gray. Turfstone

2015_Sitelines-FALL-outlined.indd 1 9/14/15 8:19 AM Clive L. Justice and his Canadian Executive Service Organization, (CESO/SACO) Adventures

Part of the Sikkim Road Network and report recommendation for every visitor to plant a Rhododendron (a tree)

Bob Boyes, a Vancouver city traffic Engineer and fellow Unitarian church mem- ber suggested I should join the Toronto-based Canadian Executive Service Or- ganization. CESO was recruiting retired and semi retired professional and business people as expenses paid Volunteers to help out businesses and governments in underdeveloped countries. From your CV, on file with CESO in Toronto, you would be selected for suitable fit with requests for your expertise from overseas clients recruited by posted field personnel. The city of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia wanted a tropical botanist to advise the capitol’s parks development. I figured it was not only tropical botany but park design and construction they wanted. It turned out I was right. The KL parks department was staffed with Bamiputra landscape architects who had got their recent degrees from US 2001: Shantung Province, China. Advice to cities in this Chinese province in the development of their Schools through foreign student programs. No one had any construction or now forested parks that have been under their care and development protection since 1949. Using park-site construction experiences in building parks. I had 30 years of expertise Shantung’s Confucius Complex of temples, visitor facilities & Juniper forest. & using North Ameri- can National Parks, US & Canadian as development models of these 8 city Forest parks for Chinese in every part and aspect of landscape and parks development. I would need it. People’s tourism. PROJECTS: undertaken by Clive L. Justice, as a Canadian Executive Service Organization Volunteer Advisor. 1985 to 2001

Amherstia

1985: National Orchid Display Garden and Centre, Kuala Lumpur, for Parks & Recreation Depart- ment, Lake Gardens and other city parks improvements. KL Airport roadside & median Landscape planting. (not shown) 1986 &1991: Waterfall Botanical Gardens, Palau Penang, Malaysia. Redevelopment and Restoration Plans by State of Penang - in association with state Town Planning Dept, Wisma Komtar, Georgetown, Malaysia. Advisors University of Northern Malaysia Pilau Penang Botanical gardens Committee with CESO Volunteer landscape and Botanical gardens Technical advise.

1999: Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines. Several clients: 1. Mentoring a Small Landscaper-nurseryman to expand his business to being able to take on municipal and other larger gov’t projects — how to read 1988: The Queen’s Garden, Taman Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, Parks and Recreation. Works and build- landscape plans & construction details & plant material specifications Area & material take offs, pitfalls ings Dept’s project of an ornamental public display garden of water plants, native Malaysian herbs, & etc. 2. Provide lot & street layouts for small urban subdivision with street tree selection & place- spices, fragrances and medicines with ﬂowering vines, orchids and bougainvillea. Design based on ment. 3. A Rainwater storage and recovery vegetable & fruit farm on a seaside plot with high water Malaysian women’s wedding headdress. Design & construction supervision to completion by CESO table of saltwater. 4. Master site plan for rural hillside turf, plant, & large tree nursery with roadside Advisor. A Turnkey Project opened by the Queen on departure for her home state, Jahore. garden shop with plant sales and garden equipment on the North American model. 5. Not shown, a tourist & cruiseship passenger venue in the Cebu mountains of an indigenous people’s forest orchard of the 50 native subtropical & tropical fruits trees. 1990: Naturalizing & Greening of Kuala Lumpur’s Channelized River System in association with Parks & Recreation Department/Sewers & Storm Water Division of the Engineering Department, City of Kuala Lumpur, for Prime Ministers Dept & Mayor’s Office Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

1991: West Malaysia Kuching old town and new town: North Kuching. Plans for upgrading of Kuch- ing Parks and Arboretum & Landscape concept for New North Kuching mountain top town hall within a National Park combined with a Hornbill bird sanctuary.

I991: An Assessment of Visitor Facilities in Sikkim, India. Report and recommended improvements to Parks, Viewpoints, Hotels, Rest Houses, Conservation 86 Protected Areas, Historic Sites, Roadside 1998: Berdyansk, Ukraine. A concept for a large delta lands national park on heavy metal polluted agri- Rests and PicnicGrounds for Small Group Ecotourism. For the State Government of Sikkim, K.C. cultural land adjoining an orchard, vineyard, grain farming & agribusiness commune. (Keshup) Pradhan, Chief Secretary in association with Sikkim Forestry Dept, P.K. Basnett, Chief Con- servator of Forests, Gangtok. Roadside forest of Flowering Trees for Indira Ghandi International Airport Roadway

Grevillea robusta, 2+ rows @ 12ft bw Cassia fistula, C. nodosa, C. multi- Lagerstromea flos-regina, L. tomentosa, Jacaranda mimoseafolia

Bauhinia purpurea, B. variegata 20 of ea var @ 10ft bw

Callistemon brachyandrus, Cassia marginata 10-20 of ea var @ 10ft Thevetia nerifolia, 8ft apart, 12ft from kerb Nerium oleander, 2 rows 6ft bw 7 7 6 6 5 Bougainvillea spectabilis 5 4 orange flowers continuous 3 trim to 4 1996: Otepää , Estonia: Master Redevelopment plan for a lake-side Park and Resort for training stu- flame 3 dents in forest conservation, visitor and local camping and year-round recreation & eco-tourism. 2 shp 2 1 1

1993: Indira Ghandi International Airport 6 km Access Highway, New Delhi, - India. Enhancement & Beautification of both sides of the R of W and adjoining lands with a stepped height forest of 7 species of native ﬂowering trees. Not shown: amenity and street tree assessment and improvement recommendations for a Garden-city modelled town in Orissa State. India.

1997: Western Poland. Golf Complex of 8 elements (features)- i)9 & 18 hole championship courses 1995: Bacalod City, Negros Occidentale, Philippines, Master Redevelopment & Improvement with complete ii)club house facilities. Golf training in a iii)residential campus setting with iv)train- plan for Galleon Resort. A family owned seaside and eco- tourist resort south of the city where ing in the game along with v)employee training in course & vi)grounds maintenance and vii)facilities the client family live. operations & viii)upkeep. BOOK REVIEW: JOHN DIXON HUNT’S THE WORLD OF GARDENS, REAKTION BOOKS The Medium is the Message Is the Internet Googling the Book’s Demise?

128 William Kent, Drawing made in Rousham gardens showing the Temple of the Mill and the Eyecatcher to the north beyond the River Cherwell. c. 1739 by Clive Justice As a devoted reader and writer of books, I am also a passionate collector of old and new editions on the classics, visual arts, crafts, Landscape Architecture, community and park planning, et cetera. We are publishers having established BC Bigleaf Maple Books, ltd. in 2014. Currently, I am deeply concerned that the computer is replacing the book as a quick and easy way to gain superficial bits and pieces of information about a subject, that lacks the deeper meaning and wider perspective that a book provides for the reader. This is of concern to us at BC Bigleaf as we are publishers of fine and illustrated hard copy books, exclusively of scholarly nature on Landscape Archi- tecture, landscape art, Gardens and Landscape History, professional memoirs, botanical explorations with topics including western Canada’s indigenous trees and wildflowers, Canada’s arctic tundra and flora with Rhododen- drons: Arctic, Temperate and Tropical; Permaculture & Horticulture.

Reviewing A World of Gardens, London 2012, by University of Pennsylvania’s LA Department Chair and Emeritus Professor, John Dixon Hunt, who served in both positions; this reader finds the book well written in a serifed font that makes for easy and pleasant reading. Within the text there are references to the many illustrations—pictures, gardens and plans—which are after all visual, and are a necessary part of any book on the subject. In Dixon Hunt’s book, the pictures are numbered and usually nearby, on the same page.

The numbered drawing, 128, on the second page of Chapter 11, Leaping the Ha-ha, Or, How the Larger Landscape Invaded the Garden, is shown here as part of this review, as an example of careful placement of the super abundance of pictures and visual elements included in Dixon Hunt’s World of Gardens. Here, we see Rousham Garden’s squire who jumped the fence of his estate to find all outside was a natural garden & landscape. Hence the well used cliché occurring in subsequent books..all nature was a garden, English of course. This Landscape Historian, an educated Pacific Northwestern Canadian, is surprised and a little disappointed that Dixon Hunt makes no mention of my heros or worthies of Landscape Architecture—San Francisco’s Thomas Church (1902-1978)(Gardens are for People); or Roberto Burle Marx, the Brazilian plantsman & Landscape Architect who worked with Oscar Neimyer, Architect, and together designed Brazil’s new highland capital, Brazilia. Dixon Hunt does cite Ian McHarg, a wild Scotsman who preceded him as head of Land- scape Architecture at University of Pennsylvania, whose Press published titles that are classics in environmental awareness of degradation occurring across the world, destruction of Tropical Temperate and Boreal grasslands and forests. McHarg’s book, Design with Nature, 1969, is a Penn Press publication, while the most famous and well known—Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring!—changed my life’s mission to make sure all graduating UBC Landscape Architecture students gifting a copy of it. The BCSLA Book Awards was the result.

In my early book collecting, I chanced upon a small book The Origin and Cultivation of Shade and Ornamental Trees, by Hui-Lin Li, 1963 by the curator of the Arnold Arboretum, published by Penn Press. I ordered 2 copies from this new source, gifting one to the Campbell River nature writer and well known fly fisherman Roderick Haig-Brown.

To conclude Hunt’s Chapter 9: Garden as Theatre shows a garden with a lake displaying a myth called Galatea, whose actuality is an ancient Roman Naval sea battle acted out in the garden, where the one-eyed giant Poly- phemus who killed his lover Acis in jealousy, who wont respond to his courting, what an opportunity for sculp- ture’s with water works, spouts & fountains.

The garden display in the Medieval period during the 16th century take on a new myth scenario, keeping the same name, Galatea. Aphodite is brought to life by the prayers of her sculptor creator who has fallen in love with his own work—what scope! An opportunity to create all sorts of sexy garden and lake water works.

Dixon Hunt’s history says about all there is to say about European & English garden history. It will become close if not the classic work on garden history. All Landscape Architects should read it.

Internet researchers will not gain the deeper view into the worlds of the garden by browsing by for a few min- utes on the screen. This book is an experience!

The building facade of the part of the Kansas City Public Library exhibiting the shelved backs of books such as Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring that changed the world’s perception to our physical environment and it’s protection.