Paradise Lost? The Malaspina Peninsula Needs Your Help to Preserve Some of its Best-Loved Recreational Features

THE MALASPINA Peninsula industry. Some cutblocks have been economic activity without for our community than a forest north of Powell River is a natural temporarily removed from the plans degrading the natural systems that managed to produce pulp and cheap treasure house. The region’s as a result. Much Crown land on the keep us all healthy. The clearcut lumber. Rotation cycles and incredible forested landscapes peninsula is protected until January, logging with reserves that is planned methods of harvesting must be provide many benefits for residents. 2003, as part of an Agreement in for the area is not compatible with changed so that woods of various Some are eco- this goal. Res- ages are available to different users. nomic and in- idents want to The annual allowable cut must be clude jobs in work with the reduced. tourism and forest industry to The people of BC, including the forestry. Others ensure that ad- Sliammon First Nation, are the are biological equate buffer stewards of this land. Not the forest and ecological: zones will be company executives. Not the senior water and air provided for civil servants and the politicians. If filtration, for recreation sites we don’t act to preserve our natural instance, and and that har- resources, we can lose them forever. wildlife habitat. vesting methods By working together and sending a Another group will protect ve- clear message to industry and of benefits, teran trees, rare government, we can create a including ecological practical, ecosystem-based vision recreation and features, for the Malaspina Peninsula. We can First Nations viewscapes and ensure a fair, just resolution of land history, are habitat for wildlife claims and a healthy, intact primarily species at risk. peninsula for our children. cultural and A legal, bin- spiritual. All are Shootingstars (Dodecatheon pulchellum), one of our most spectacular ding stewardship important. wildflowers, enrich open woods in spring Paul Clements photo plan is needed for Forestry the Malaspina companies have chart areas Principle between the provincial Peninsula—and for the entire covering most of the peninsula’s government and the Sliammon First Sunshine Coast. Resource man- public lands. Recent forest Nation. For the long term, however, agement must benefit local development plans unveiled by the peninsula’s natural resources communities, create local jobs and Canadian Forest Products Ltd and and features are at significant risk. be sustainable. It must allow for and Northwest Hardwoods (a No high-level plan exists to guide consider public comment. It must Weyerhaeuser subsidiary) reveal future use. Our forests can still be respect endangered ecosystems. that many prime Malaspina And it must recreational sites will be seriously preserve the affected by proposed and approved extraordinary logging cutblocks. recreation Dinner Rock Park, for instance, potential we have a forest service recreation site where here, which re- visitors can camp and picnic looking presents our eco- out over the Strait of Georgia, nomic future. Desolation Sound draws visitors Savary Island and historic Dinner With suitable de- from near and far. A Scott photo Rock, is one such place. The velopment, the wheelchair-accessible Greenways peninsula can Corridor, a network of heritage trails become an im- What’s Inside? that winds through a rare coastal portant desti- Dinner Rock Park ...... 2 Douglas fir forest, is another. A third nation for nature Greenways and public trail systems are an important Youth Perspectives ...... 2 affected site is the Atrevida Loop and adventure shared community resource. Eagle Walz photo Jobs from Ecotourism ..... 3 Trail, a destination that supports tourism, as well as Greenways Corridors ...... 4 local low-impact ecotourism clearcut. Our recreation sites can being a gateway to Desolation What Can You Do? ...... 4 businesses. still be eliminated. A fair solution Sound and the Discovery Islands. Sunshine Coast Trail ...... 5 When the residents of the to land-use conflicts in the area A stable forest with old-growth Savary Island ...... 6 Malaspina Peninsula realized the remains to be found. and near-old-growth zones, stands Value-added Products ...... 6 of maturing second-growth and a scale of timber harvesting planned The challenge of sustainable Natural History ...... 7 highly developed outdoor recreation for the region, they joined together development on the peninsula is the Peninsula Map ...... 8 to offer feedback to government and same as it is everywhere: to plan system will be a more valuable asset 2 cutting the area at some future date. Save Dinner Rock Park The forest around Dinner Viewpoints Rock is part of the increasingly rare Coastal Douglas Fir biogeoclimatic from Youth THE DINNER ROCK Forest helicoptered into place and a plaque zone, an ecosystem that is Last summer I worked as part of a Recreation Site, commonly known unveiled at the Forest Service disappearing in BC because it group called Youth Encouraging as Dinner Rock Park, is the campsite. The original cross is in the mainly occurs in sunny, southwest- Sustainability (YES) to try to bring Malaspina Peninsula’s favourite Powell River Museum. facing waterfront locations that are a Land and Resource Management public space. This is where local The Dinner Rock area is greatly valued by members of our Plan to Powell River. The LRMP is residents come to picnic and to included in the lands covered by an species for their development a public participation model that potential. The CDF classification is gives many more people a say in seriously under-represented in BC’s what is done with our resources and parks and protected areas. our environment. The Powell River- The scenic, wheelchair- Sunshine Coast region is one of the accessible Browne Creek Trail, built last areas in BC not to have such a with public funds, winds through plan. However, we direly need it or the forest and offers an excellent something like it. opportunity to explore this type of Currently we have little say in ecosystem. The trail area, though, what is done. Logging is still the use is also scheduled to be clearcut (see given precedence by decision mak- pages 4 and 5 for more on trails). ers. As a result, the region stands to We are in desperate need of a lose a lot. Trails, recreational areas plan to preserve the Dinner Rock and natural beauty are being de- forest recreation site and its stroyed. Even worse, people are los- surroundings (including the Browne ing their power to influence these Creek Trail). The Ministry of changes. Without a framework of Dinner Rock Park is a favourite camping and picnicking spot for local Forests did ask the Powell River public participation, the provincial residents. The rock itself is in the background. Andrew Scott photo Regional District if it would assume government is now making deci- responsibility for Dinner Rock and sions almost unilaterally. camp. Of course, visitors from off Agreement in Principle between the other recreation sites, but district Last summer, when I con- the peninsula come here, too, and Sliammon First Nation and the BC directors voted unanimously against tacted Stan Hagen, the Minister of are soothed and inspired by the government and is protected by a the proposal, claiming that no funds Sustainable Resource Management, west-facing waterfront location provincial order-in-council until were available for maintenance and and the MLA for Powell River, with its great sunsets and January, 2003. After that, who that the province was responsible. Harold Long, I received vague spectacular views over promises that people would be Savary Island. Of all the given more say in upcoming re- 15 or so forest recreation source decisions. Nothing has hap- sites that remain in the pened, however. Why? Because Powell River area, Dinner people are not making themselves Rock Park is the jewel in heard. The government needs to the crown. hear regularly from disconcerted Dinner Rock itself voters rather than just one young is a tiny islet immediately YES member. They need to hear south of the campsite. You people demanding change and sug- can just make out a white gesting alternate solutions. If large cross on top, which numbers of people don’t make a commemorates the fuss, the politicians will not make marine tragedy that an effort to implement change. So occurred at the rock on the let’s make some noise! dark, rainy night of —Tejas Ewing October 11, 1947. The small coastal steamer MV As Saltery Bay disappears from Gulf Stream was heading view I sit alone at the back of the to Lund that night with 41 ferry. Powell River was my home passengers and crew for over 20 years. I was born here; I members when it Five lives were lost in the tragic wreck of the MV Gulf Stream on Dinner Rock on grew up climbing trees and ploughed into Dinner October 11, 1947. Photo courtesy Powell River Museum swimming in the ocean. Rock at 15 knots and Unfortunately for me and other turned on its side. Five people died, knows what will happen? Although Dinner Rock Park is an young people like me, these days I including three children. some of the forest adjacent to essential recreational resource for can only afford to visit. The following year Henry Dinner Rock in Canfor’s and the community and also has much Powell River is decreasing in Pavid, whose 18-month-old Weyerhaeuser’s current forest cultural value, as it keeps us in touch population; jobs are scarce, jobs for daughter Jean lost her life in the development plans no longer has with a sad but vital fragment of our youth even scarcer. This visit I accident, erected a cross on Dinner Category A status, and thus cannot past. Let the government know that learned that Dinner Rock Park and Rock. Fifty years later, in 1998, a immediately be cut, there is nothing you want this historic site and other parts of the Malaspina memorial service was held for the to prevent the companies—or the surrounding area protected for Peninsula are slated for logging and victims, the current cross was Sliammon First Nation—from future generations. more businesses are shutting down. 2 3 Maybe people are losing heart. But youth and the broader community. expanding its economy. Hotel, Powell River still has a wealth of Go to public advisory meetings with Jobs from restaurant and bed and breakfast resources worth protecting. It’s Weyerhaeuser and help them plan Ecotourism operators, for instance, are as reliant going to take creativity, though, to sustainable forestry. on parks, forested trails, intact diversify our use of natural Anyone who has been to the This year, despite a global tourism viewscapes, clean waters, old- resources and revive the town. Powell River area knows that it is a downturn, over 22 million overnight growth trees and wildlife-viewing If Powell River can create wilderness paradise. This is our visitors are expected to explore BC, areas as ecotourist outfitters, jobs for youth and the broader backyard. How are we going to looking for a “Super, Natural” because these are the values that community by utilizing the natural protect it? —Caila Holbrook experience fast disappearing from bring the visitors in the first place. resource base this will ensure a much of the planet. They will make healthy community for generations Growing up in a rural community, a $9 billion contribution to BC’s to come. I know this is easier said my teenage years seemed economy (compared to about $7 billion from forestry) and account for well over 100,000 direct jobs. One-tenth of these visitors are ecotourists: people wanting a non- motorized, educational outdoors experience in a pristine natural environment with plenty of chances to see wildlife. When it comes to offering this kind of adventure, BC is rated one of the best destinations Ready to provide sherpa service. in the world. As long as we don’t Photo courtesy Hiker’s Haven degrade our amazing wilderness, we have a huge competitive advantage Travellers from around the world over other areas in tapping the $750 come to the Malaspina Peninsula. billion annual global ecotourism “My business is global,” explains market—a market that is likely to Lori Kemp, proprietor of Hiker’s grow in the future. Haven, a charming peninsula BC residents also value guesthouse. “I’ve had visitors from Better recreational facilities in the Powell River region can also result in outdoor recreation highly. Over 2.5 Maine, Ireland, England, the more job opportunities for young people. Andrew Scott photo million (about 65 percent) of us Netherlands, Germany, the USA and engage in nature-related activities from the rest of Canada.” than done, but here are some places burdensome and stifling to me, but such as hiking, camping, wildlife Lori has established a creative to start: there are several UREP I now see that it is those growing to viewing, fishing and kayaking. And niche market (the first in the region) areas around the Powell River adulthood in urban centres that carry we spend $2 billion a year in pursuit by offering “goatpacking” services region. UREP stands for the use, the true burden. They are of these pastimes. as well as accommodation. recreation and enjoyment of the disconnected from the control Many Malaspina Peninsula Goatpacking is enjoyable for public. That’s us. These areas may centers of our planet: our forests. residents have invested time, energy anyone, but it makes hiking be reabsorbed and made available But how can I expect those who especially easy for people with for timber harvesting if they are feel they have never benefited from limited mobility: They only need underutilized. the forests to want to conserve carry a camera with them into the We need to show that these them? The vividness of seeing a forest; the goats do all the rest of sites are important or they may be wild animal up close is an the work. Lori has invested in experience that must continue to be property and business assets—and available to all those who do not yet also in training (interpretive understand what it is they will lose guiding, business plan in the destruction of our forests. Will development, sign language there be animals for my children to studies). Her livelihood is staked to discover? Will television and access to trails, old-growth forest photographs be my children’s only and wildlife-viewing habitats. connection to our forests? Decisions All this is now in jeopardy. facing our forests should be made The proposed logging of Atrevida by those affected in the long term, Loop Trail not only threatens her not by those who will profit from livelihood, but also her water their immediate destruction. The supply. The logging will destroy the A tasty treat: trailing blackberry loss of forests is not just the loss of trail infrastructure and the area’s (Rubus ursinus). A Scott photo trees and plants and animal species. visual appeal. “Visitors do not come It is the loss of possibility. to hike into clearcuts,” declares logged. You can look up UREPs at I once read a Native American Paddling perfection on the North Lori, who is alarmed at the recent the Forestry Office or get an proverb that now seems relevant: Sunshine Coast. A Scott photo evaporation of all public processes inventory of public places from the Only after the last river has surrounding land-use planning in Eco-Care Conservancy. Give Stan been drained, only after the last tree and money into developing local the region. “Long-term sus- Hagen and Harold Long a call and has fallen, only after the last fish has tourism businesses—the kinds of tainability can only happen,” she let them know that you want Powell been caught, only then, will you businesses that the Powell River says, “when rural people have a River to diversify the economic realize that money cannot be eaten. region desperately needs if it is to variety of economic opportunities opportunities of the land base for —Maylene Jacob continue diversifying and open to them.” 3 4 Get informed about land-use and Ask them to either drop cutblocks Greenways Corridors forestry issues. Advocate for an eco- adjacent to community trails and system-based forest management recreation sites or provide at least a system on the Malaspina Peninsula. 50-metre buffer zone for the trails. GREENWAYS corridors—usually of the peninsula. Go to open houses and public meet- Remind them that international rec- trails or paths with a surrounding Despite assisting with some ings. Write letters to the newspaper. ognition and certification for their buffer of mature vegetation—have of the construction, the Ministry of Exercise your democratic right to products requires community in- been described as “long, skinny Forests has steadfastly resisted volvement. Ask the Ministry of For- parks.” They have many benefits. showing these greenways on its ests to improve visual-quality ob- Besides providing human recreation timber inventory maps. Ministry You Can Help jectives for the region and help es- opportunities, they also act as officials refuse to acknowledge tablish community forestry. pathways for wild creatures, linking them as a community resource or participate in public decision-mak- Work for and contribute to lo- isolated but essential areas of ensure that they are protected in ing processes. cal conservation groups. Support habitat. Greenways are alternative forest development plans. The Write, fax or email Premier our First Nations. transportation systems. They can be Wilde Creek Heritage Trail has Gordon Campbell, the ministers of VOTE! There are municipal Forests, Sustainable Resource Man- elections coming up in November, agement, and Water, Land and Air 2002. Support regional and munici- Protection, and our MLA, Harold pal district candidates who are en- Long. Ask them to protect the vironmentally aware and who will Greenways Corridor and Atriveda work for responsible, sustainable Loop and designate Dinner Rock as development. a provincial park. Ask them to initi- ate a fair land and resource manage- ment plan for the region that is le- Contact gally binding, takes into considera- tion all users and resource values, Information and incorporates public comment. Ask them why Northwest Hardwoods, a wholly-owned sub- Gordon Campbell, Premier sidiary of US forestry giant PO Box 9041, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC V8W 9E1 Weyerhaeuser, is allowed to harvest Ph: 250-387-1715 BC wood under a government pro- Fax: 250-387-0087 gram designed to assist small busi- Email: [email protected] nesses. Greenways serve as alternative transportation and wildlife corridors, Write, fax or email your re- Harold Long, MLA and can be designed for wheelchair access Andrew Scott photo gional and municipal government Room 201, Parliament Buildings, Victoria, BC V8V 1X4 designed for pedestrians, already been logged, poorly, and left representatives. Press them to har- Ph: 250-356-3066 wheelchairs, bicycles and horseback without an adequate buffer of trees. monize the interests of different re- Fax: 250-387-9104 riders. They can link parks, heritage Now the wonderful Browne Creek source-user groups and give re- Constituency Office: 4595 Marine Avenue, sites, ancient trees and other unique Trail, part of which skirts Dinner ecological features. They are an Rock Park, is slated for clearcutting. effective way to help attract tourists This trail forms a major loop west to a region. of Highway 101 through the A series of demonstration endangered CDF ecozone, with a greenways was built on the side route to Hurtado Point. At its Malaspina Peninsula. These routes, north end it reaches almost to Lund. constructed by local volunteers with At its south end it connects with public funds and Jay’s Trail, which, forest industry in turn, links up to support, run along the Sunshine Coast the west side of the Trail. peninsula, through If you believe a rare and beautiful that our greenways Coastal Douglas are an important Fir (CDF) eco- local resource, you system. They are can help to preserve wheelchair- them by letting The delicate, mottled flowers of the chocolate lily (Fritillaria lanceolata) accessible, built to government are another spring delight on the peninsula. Andrew Scott photo a seven-percent officials—elected grade or less. Some representatives, gional planning a stronger role. Ask Powell River V8A 2K7 them to acquire the forestry recrea- Ph: 604-485-0651 follow old logging The Browne Creek Trail near regional district tion sites that government wishes to Fax: 604-485-0655 skid roads and Dinner Rock. A Scott photo directors, forest Email: [email protected] highlight important bureaucrats—know abandon and to be more supportive aspects of our forestry heritage. that you want them saved and of sustainable development and Joyce Murray, Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection Other trails, like the Atrevida Loop, adequately buffered. Otherwise ecotourism. PO Box 9047, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, connect the greenways system to the there’s a good chance that we could Write, fax or email representa- BC V8W 9E2 Sunshine Coast Trail on the east side lose these amenities. tives from Canfor and Weyerheuser. Ph: 250-387-1187 4 5 Fax: 250-387-1356 Email: [email protected] The Sunshine Coast Trail Story Stan Hagen, Minister of Sustainable By R. E. Walz, Director, Powell River Parks and Wilderness Society Resource Management PO Box 9054, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, THE SUNSHINE Coast Trail 180-kilometre-long trail hugs the Many small camp sites have BC V8W 9E2 Ph: 250-356-9076 (SCT) was conceived in 1992 when Mediterranean-like shoreline and been built along the trail, but a Fax: 250-356-8273 a handful of outdoor enthusiasts traverses old-growth forests in the handful remain rudimentary and Email: [email protected] realized that there was a vanishing Gwendoline Hills. From there it will be upgraded in the next few amount of accessible old growth left frequently follows the riparian years. The BOMB Squad, a group Michael de Jong, Minister of Forests PO Box 9049, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, on the Upper Sunshine Coast. They zones of creeks, lakes and the ocean. of retired gents, did much trail work BC V8W 9E2 formed the Powell River Parks and The next substantial stand of old and built some marvellous wooden Ph: 250-387-6240 bridges. PRPAWS also coordinated Fax: 250-387-1040 with Greenways, which has Email: [email protected] constructed hiking and biking paths Greg Hemphill, District Manager that provide access into Lund. Sunshine Coast Forest District Additional support for the trail has 7077 Duncan Street, Powell River, BC V8A 1W1 come from federal, provincial, Ph: 604-485-0708 regional, First Nations and Fax: 604-485-0799 municipal agencies, as well as from Email: [email protected] many organizations and a multitude Warren Hansen, Area Forester of hard-working volunteers. Canadian Forest Products Ltd Visitors interested in hiking the Box 110, Port Mellon, BC V0N 2S0 Sunshine Coast Trail, or a portion Ph: 604-884-5264 of it, can explore the trail online at Fax: 604-884-5257 Email: [email protected] www.sunshinecoast-trail.com or contact the Powell River Visitors Brian Kyle, Area Engineer InfoCentre at 604-485-4701. Weyerhaeuser Co 201-7373 Duncan Street, Powell River, BC V8A 1W6 Ph: 604-485-3100 Hikers pause to enjoy magical Appleton Creek. Eagle Walz photo Forest Rec- Fax: 604-485-9829 reation Facts Email: [email protected] Wilderness Society (PRPAWS), a growth is encountered near Stewart Alsgard, Mayor registered charitable non-profit Confederation Lake where a log • BC’s forest recreation sites attract District of Powell River society, to set aside some protected cabin has been constructed for about 5 million visits a year, a total 6910 Duncan Street, Powell River, areas that would be linked where public use. The trail meanders that has been growing steadily. BC V8A 1V 4 possible by corridors. through ancient forests along the The cost of maintaining the forest Ph: 604-485-6291 • Fax: 604-485-2913 PRPAWS felt that the best way crest of the Smith Range. recreation program is about $1.5 Email: [email protected] to have this concept gain acceptance million, less than one percent of the would be to involve the public as Ministry of Forests’ budget. Colin Palmer, Chair Len Emmonds, Director (Electoral Area A) well as government and industry. • South of the border, the US Forest Regional District of Powell River The society began to build trails and Service administers a geographic 5776 Marine Avenue, Powell River, hold grand openings. These trails area smaller than BC that receives BC V8A 2M4 often extended or connected 900 million visits per year, employs Ph: 604-483-3231 Fax: 604-483-2229 existing shorter trails. Quickly, 22,500 people in tourism and Email: [email protected] through usage and publicity, the recreation management and new trails became popular with the contributes an estimated $130 Sliammon First Nation public, as they allowed entry to billion to the federal economy. C-69, RR #2, Sliammon Road Powell River, BC V8A 4Z3 areas that until then were accessed Tourism revenues in the western US Ph: 604-483-4427 or 1-877-483-4427 only by bushwhackers or loggers. states on national forest lands are 10 Fax: 604-483-4422 PRPAWS has successfully times higher than timber revenues. Eco-Care Conservancy of the lobbied for the creation of three • The BC Forest Service employs Powell River Region provincial parks (Malaspina, Inland 5,000 people, less than one percent 6848 Courtenay St, Powell River, and Duck Lake), which protect of whom are employed in tourism BC V8A 1X2 some 30 kilometres of the Sunshine and recreation. The 45 people Ph: 604-485-0490 Coast Trail, as well as a number of currently working in recreation On Kayach Bluffs overlooking other hiking trails. Interpretive management in BC are scheduled Friends of Dinner Rock Sliammon Lake. Eagle Walz photo C-4, RR #2, Powell River, BC V8A 4Z3 signage is being planned for the to dwindle to less than ten in 2003. many points of interest all along the Frequently the forest opens up and Maintenance contracts and site Powell River Parks & Wilderness Society • Box 345, Powell River, BC V8A 5C2 trail. Currently nearly 200 wooden affords breathtaking views. Past the management for forest recreation Ph: 604-483-9565 directional signs help hikers find shores of Lois Lake the path climbs sites can be an important source of their way, as do the ubiquitous through magnificent stands of local employment. Sunshine Coast Conservation Association PO Box 1969, Sechelt, BC V0N 3A0 orange metal markers. Douglas-fir and yellow cedar on • Many recreation sites in rural BC Website: www.thescca.ca The Sunshine Coast Trail Mount Troubridge and down to the were developed in partnership with connects four significant areas of Saltery Bay ferry terminal. The trail community groups and volunteers Savary Island Land Trust Society old growth. From the start at Sarah has over 20 access points and who invested time and money—and Box 141, Lund, BC V0N 2G0 Email: [email protected] Point, the gateway to Desolation provides hiking opportunities from thus do not deserve to be discarded Website: www.silt.ca Sound Provincial Marine Park, the novice to expert. without substantial public input. 5 6 (PRRD) directors ignored the the province and Environment Saving Savary Island available research—and over- Canada announced the acquisition By Liz Webster whelming public support for of a 50-percent interest in DL 1375 preserving DL 1375—and did and adjoining lots 35 and 36. The UNLIKE OTHER islands in the Trust (SILT) was founded to whatever they could to facilitate the acquisition also includes five Strait of Georgia, crescent-shaped preserve the island’s natural areas Trillium plan. Because of Savary’s hectares of waterfront property Savary is oriented east-west. It is a for the future. Biologist Kathy urban-style subdivision, the number donated by two individuals who narrow remnant of glacial Dunster documented DL 1375 in of taxable parcels is high. (Savary wish to remain anonymous. As sediments “anchored” by bedrock March, 2000, and found that it pays for 65 percent of the services well, a 6.5-hectare parcel was at the eastern tip, a 450-hectare represented the best example of a in Area A.) Savary’s population is acquired for a total of 150 hectares. forested sandbar largely seasonal. As a One-third of the island was saved. stretching eight result, the majority of Our dreams had come true. kilometres across property owners do not An Official Community Plan the strait and vote in PRRD elections. has been underway since 1997. migrating in a For most islanders, Although we now know a great deal northwesterly taxation without about Savary’s environmental direction. representation is the fragility, the regional district has A get-rich- unfortunate norm. done very little to protect the island, quick subdivision With no zoning in choosing to remove all regulatory scheme back in place, the developers language from the OCP and 1910 saw the island applied for subdivision of dismissing the need for protected subdivided into the land under the Local Environmentally Sensitive Areas. city-sized lots; Services Act, which Despite many people’s efforts today Savary has would allow for 33 10- and mountains of information, our over 1700 legal acre parcels. In June, local government did just about 2001, the Ministry of everything in its power to prevent parcels and the B eacon Point, where some of Savary’s most sensitive dune Transportation approved the protection of this nationally highest density of ecosystems are located. Liz Webster photo any island in the the application subject to unique ecosystem. In a democracy Strait of Georgia. In 1995, when dune ecosystem in Canada, home 20 stringent conditions designed to it should not have to be so hard to US-based Trillium Corporation to a previously undocumented plant address environmental, archae- do the right thing. We deserve applied to subdivide the last intact community and many uncommon ological, geotechnical and health better leadership. We need local portion of Savary (District Lot species. Her research confirmed the issues. Perhaps the conditions were elected officials who are educated, 1375), less than two percent of the best use for the land: preservation too arduous for the developers. open and able to see beyond their island was protected. as an ecological reserve. On April 3, 2002, after much brief tenures. It’s time for a change. In 1997 the Savary Island Land Powell River Region District lobbying, the Nature Trust of BC, Please vote in November.

Forest District go to multinational Adding Value to Our company shareholders, with Wild Crafts stumpage payments to the Forest Products provincial government. I feel so lucky to live in one of the Yes, we’ve heard all this before. world’s last remaining great forests, But how can we foster intelligent where I’m able to wildcraft herbs TO DEVELOP a sustainable Except for red alder, most young forest management and economic for medicines. There is an escalat- economy in the Powell River area, wood, harvested on a 40-year diversification on the Malaspina ing market for these medicines and we should harvest our forests rotation, is good only for pulp. Peninsula? the herb supply is limited. I’ve wit- selectively. We could call it “living Serviceable lumber can be produced • We need a stewardship plan for nessed patch after patch disappear off our interest.” Economists call it from 70 to 80-year-old trees. But peninsula’s forests, one that would over the last two decades. maintaining our natural capital. We furniture makers need straight help us develop a community forest. Clean air and water are our first also need to depend more on our grains, which come from larger trees • We should encourage Forest medicines, and timber overharves- value-added industries. Instead of a that are anywhere from 120 to 240 Stewardship Council (FSC) ting diminishes the quality of both. few jobs from clearcutting, then years old. A mature forest with many certification for forest companies. Locally, forest companies lease 65 shipping raw logs out of our region, different ages of trees produces This system guarantees ecosystem- percent of the land base, while com- we can get hundreds of local jobs larger volumes of higher-quality, based harvesting, as well as munity members are denied access from less wood by making furniture, more valuable wood, improves community and First Nations to the forest resources of the remain- musical instruments, specialty wildlife habitat, creates a wider involvement and approval for forest ing “commons.” Weyerhaeuser’s flooring and other wood products. variety of jobs and is more development plans. shareholders profit and we can’t As it stands now, less than one biologically diverse. • A percentage of all harvesting even cut firewood. worker is employed in BC per The clearcutting and overcutting should be automatically allocated The massive efforts of the thousand cubic metres of wood of our forests is as much a social and for local value-added use. This is world’s concerned citizens have cre- harvested (compared to two in economic issue as it is an partly dependent on provincial ated some changes in forest prac- Sweden and 2.6 in the US). We add environmental one. The people of government policy, but forestry tices, but we are still losing our for- only $119 in value per cubic metre the region are not allowed access to companies can also voluntarily est cutblock by inevitable cutblock. compared to $318 in the US. BC’s use the forests and wood sustainably agree to do this. I am supported by a profound faith share of Canadian value-added for their current benefit—and for the • The people who live in the region in a sentient nature, however, and I wood exports is sinking. future benefit of their children. By need to tell government and hope that the next generation will The value of our wood is far the greatest economic benefits industry clearly what they want, or find ways to restore the balance that roughly proportional to its age. from cutting in the Sunshine Coast nothing will ever change. has been lost. —Sally Keays 6 7 The plant kingdom feeds us all. are home to sea stars, shellfish, and Nature in the Rain- Many creatures thrive on scuttling crabs. Tidepools house Malaspina’s rich plant life, and anemones and sculpins. Kelps wash forest: Flora & Fauna some are in turn food for others. up on beaches. Boaters find seals Bear and deer are common on the and sea lions on rocky islets, and By AnnClements peninsula. Racoon, beaver, ground whales and dolphins travel the squirrels and mice live throughout. straits. Beneath the waves are THE NATURAL history of the of ferns, from tiny spleenworts to Brown bats feed on insects at dusk. salmon, rockfish, ling cod. In win- Malaspina Peninsula has been tall swords. Several species of Eagles cruise the sea and salmon ter, rafts of sea fowl delight formed by water. Ocean surrounds horsetail send up eye-catching, fer- streams. Barred owls ask “who Malaspina’s birders. us. Winter winds bring rains to nur- tile spears. The orchids—delicate cooks for you?” from the dark for- To find out more about the natu- ture the temperate rainforest ecosys- ral history of the Malaspina tem. These same rain clouds blan- Peninsula, visit the ket the peninsula in winter, holding Malaspina Naturalist in the earth’s warmth. Malaspina Club’s website at sees little snow. www.armourtech.com/ Two biogeoclimatic zones are ~malanat or consult the found here. The Coastal Douglas Fir publications Powell River (CDF) zone covers a narrow coastal and District Nature Sites or strip and the Coastal Western Hem- Powell River and District lock (CWH) zone, the balance of the Bird List, available at the peninsula. The CDF zone is very Visitors Bureau. limited in range and is one of BC’s most endangered ecosystems. Both zones have high winter rainfall and Helpful mild summers. They differ in alti- tude, and in the plant communities Sources they contain, though species over- Here are some useful lap. The rainforests are second websites. Sierra Club BC growth Douglas-fir, western hem- (www.bc.sierraclub.ca) lock and associated deciduous trees publishes a fine series of and shrubs. At the driest end, a sig- Browsing Columbian black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionies columbianus) are pamphlets on sustainable nature community of arbutus, shore a common sight in the forest understorey . Paul Clements photo forestry in BC. For more pine and juniper is found. Cedar is information on certifica- the signature of the wettest areas. calipso and coralstick—grow in the ests. Woodpeckers, chickadees, nut- tion, try the Forest Stewardship Within these communities, forest understory. Lilies—Colum- hatches, thrushes, hummers and Council website (www.fscoax.org). different families dominate each bia, meadow death camas and many others fill the trees. Admirals The websites of the Sunshine Coast season. In winter, Malaspina is es- chocolate—are found in sunny and swallowtails hover over flow- Conservation Association meadows and ers. Dragonflies and damselflies (www.thescca.ca), the Western on rock bluffs. swoop over ponds. Garter snakes, Canada Wilderness Committee Deciduous banana slugs and frogs lounge on (www.wildernesscommittee.org) trees and shrubs shady forest trails. The warm rain- and the David Suzuki Foundation set their first (www.davidsuzuki.org) also contain leaves and the much excellent material. Pacific dogwoods be- come a blaze of Credits and white bracts. Thank Yous By sum- Kudos to all the contributors: Caila mer the wild- Holbrook, Tejas Ewing, Maylene flowers are in Jacob, Eagle Walz, Liz Webster, full bloom and Ann Clements, Paul Clements, Sally Keays and Rianne Matz. Trish shrubs domi- Keays, Lori Kemp, Nell Dragovan, nate the land- Lyn Jacob, Martin Rossander and Delicate pixie cup lichens (genus Cladonia) grow on scape with a se- many others kept things rolling. rotting logs . Paul Clements photo Teedie Gentile and the Powell River ries of delicious Museum kindly provided the Gulf pecially rich in species often hidden berries. Salmonberry is followed by Stream photo. Paul Holbrook and or overlooked in other seasons. thimbleberry, huckleberry, Sas- John Dafoe contributed valuable information. Maria Hunter and the katoon, Oregon grape, salal and fi- Mosses thrive on the winter rains, Sea stars at Okeover Inlet. Sunshine Coast Conservation As- and form red, gold and green car- nally a riot of blackberry. Paul Clements photo sociation offered advice. Thanks pets. Non-photosynthetic lichens Mushrooms of every colour and also to the Foundation Project and shape dominate the fall rainforest. forest is a hospitable habitat attract- the Ministry of Community, Abo- add their paler hues. Even rocky riginal and Women's Services. bluffs have vibrant communities of Golden chanterelles push through ing abundant wildlife. Andrew Scott wrote, edited, de- bryophytes. moss, and elusive pines attract The ocean not only nurtures the signed and produced this publica- With spring, larger plants reap- mushroom hunters. As mosses de- rainforest, it is itself a rich ecosys- tion for the Eco-Care Conservancy of the Powell River Region. pear in the understory. The rainfor- fine the winter forest, so the rich tem. Invertebrate marine life can September, 2002 est is home to a diverse community kingdom of fungi owns the fall. easily be seen at low tides. Rocks 7 8

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