Brooks Point Regional Park Management Plan

January 2008

Table of Contents

Executive Summary...... i

Introduction...... 1

Background...... 1 Map 1 – Brooks Point Regional Park ...... 2 Purpose of the Plan ...... 3 Park Classification ...... 3 Consultation...... 3 First Nations Consultation...... 4 Links to Other Plans...... 4 Land Acquisition...... 5

Vision Statement...... 5

Direction Statements...... 5 Environmental Conservation...... 5 Visitor Use...... 6 Cultural Heritage Management ...... 7 Park Operations and Facilities ...... 8

Regional Park Land Management Zones...... 9 Environmental Protection Zone...... 9 Natural Environment Zone ...... 9 Park Management Zone Facility Guidelines...... 10 Map 2 – Brooks Point Land Management Zones...... 11

Management Goals and Actions ...... 12 Environmental Conservation...... 12 Visitor Use...... 13 Cultural Heritage Management ...... 13 Park Operations and Facilities ...... 14

Plan Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation...... 15 Plan Implementation ...... 15 Plan Monitoring and Evaluation ...... 15 Map 3 – Management Plan...... 16

Executive Summary

The CRD Parks Master Plan adopted by the CRD Board in September 2000 sets out the broad strategic goals for regional parks. The plan establishes a framework for managing the regional parks and trails system, and assists the Board in making related decisions. The plan also sets the direction for park management plans, and outlines the goals and principles of managing regional parks. The process for completing the plan follows the park management planning process approved by the Regional Parks Committee in May 2006. The management plan for Brooks Point Regional Park focuses on the issues and actions needed to effectively manage the park. It also defines park management goals, and provides specific actions for achieving them.

Regional Context of Brooks Point Regional Park

Brooks Point is strategically located on the south-eastern tip of South Pender Island in the Gulf Islands. This 4.9 hectare park consists of two parcels of undeveloped oceanfront with a mix of grassy areas and forest lands. It has minimal facilities, and is treasured by locals and visitors alike for its sense of naturalness, and its expansive vistas facing into Boundary Pass.

Ecological Context

Brooks Point Regional Park is an ecological gem. It contains rare coastal bluff ecosystems and some rare and endangered plant communities. It has a spring wildflower display that is envied throughout the Islands, particularly its fields of chocolate lilies. Because of its high quality natural features, Brooks Point has been classified as a Regional Conservation Area. This is the highest level of protection for the natural environment provided for in the regional parks system. Quality of natural features, and healthy biodiversity are the ecological values of highest priority.

Proposed Park Management Actions

Park management actions are focused around the need to maintain and improve the quality of the natural environment. There are direction statements in four key areas:

¾ Environmental conservation ¾ Visitor use ¾ Cultural heritage management ¾ Park operations and facilities

Direction statements provide a framework around what will be considered in a park management plan under the four topic areas and how these issues will be addressed through the development of an action plan for implementing the goals and objectives outlined in the direction statement. The park is divided into zones, according to the objectives of the direction statements. Key management actions proposed in the implementation of Phase I of the plan are:

Brooks Point Regional Park Management Plan – January 2008 Page i Ecological Conservation

Conservation will guide all management actions in the park. The park will be managed not only to protect what is already there, but to enhance and restore areas that have been altered by previous land uses, and affected by invasive species.

Visitor Use

Facilities will be provided to support passive activities such as walking, nature study and wildlife viewing. The area will be managed so that visitors have minimal impact on the park.

Cultural Heritage Management

Management actions will be directed to return the land to what it was before it was modified for agriculture. No facilities will be built on any identified archaeological or historically significant sites within the park.

Park Operations and Facilities

The park will be operated in a manner that supports the conservation goals of the park, including limiting facilities to those needed to access the natural areas. Trails will be relocated away from sensitive ecosystems and rare plant communities.

Implementation

The plan will be in effect upon CRD Board adoption, and the goal is to begin implementation of the plan in 2008, with completion scheduled for 2009. Early tasks include preparation of an ecological restoration plan and commencing invasive species management. The existing trail impacting the coastal bluff ecosystem will be relocated back to the edge of the old pasture. A fire management strategy will also be prepared in advance of the 2008 fire season. A Communication Plan will be prepared to ensure that management messages and seasonal information about the park can be effectively communicated.

Brooks Point Regional Park Management Plan – January 2008 Page ii Introduction Brooks Point Regional Park, which includes the Gowlland Point property, is located on the south-eastern tip of South Pender Island in the southern Gulf Islands. The two park land parcels, totaling 4.9 hectares (~10 acres) are separated by a parcel of private land (Map 1).

The relatively undeveloped oceanfront park is a mix of rocky coastal bluffs and grassy meadows, with a number of Douglas-fir trees scattered throughout. There are expansive views of Boundary Pass and the San Juan Islands to the south, and views east across Georgia Strait to Mount Baker. The offshore waters have abundant marine life, including Orca whales which can often be seen from the Point. In the spring, the meadows are covered with wild flowers, including chocolate lilies. There are interesting geological formations on both points, which are connected by a fine gravel beach covered by driftwood.

Present facilities are limited to minor trails through the woodlands and grasslands, and a narrow boardwalk through the wetland portion of the park. The only other park facilities are small park information signs, and a navigational tower marking Gowlland Point. The park is frequented by local residents (the permanent population of the Pender Islands is ~2,000), and by visitors to the Island. Poets Cove Marina in Bedwell Harbour is within walking distance of the park. There are a number of properties on South Pender Island that are part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve and thus add to the protected biodiversity of the islands, and enhance these regional park reserves. Background In 1997 the CRD Board agreed to contribute funds towards purchasing land for a regional park on South Pender Island, provided a significant portion of the purchase price was raised by other partners. The Pender Island Conservancy Association, along with Friends of Brooks Point, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, The Land Conservancy of British Columbia, Habitat Acquisition Trust and the Islands Trust Fund, raised the remaining funds needed to complete the purchase. In January 2000, two parcels of land were purchased from the Brooks family, keen naturalists and conservationists, who generously donated a third parcel to complete this portion of the park. In September 2000, CRD Parks and The Land Conservancy of British Columbia jointly purchased an additional 0.87 hectares of land on South Pender Island that includes Gowlland Point. This management plan addresses planning needs of all the park parcels.

A covenant on the land, held by the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Islands Trust Fund, states: That “the Lands be used and maintained in a manner that will protect, preserve, conserve, restore and enhance the ecosystems and native biodiversity of the Lands in perpetuity”. The complete covenant is attached to this plan (Attachment 1).

Brooks Point Regional Park Management Plan – January 2008 Page 1

Brooks Point Regional Park Management Plan – January 2008 Page 2 Purpose of the Plan The purpose of the regional park management plan is to provide a framework for CRD Parks to achieve exceptional park land stewardship at Brooks Point Regional Park. To achieve this, the plan will:

1. Focus on the key issues and policies that relate to this regional park, and provide park management direction based upon the best information available. 2. Set out park management goals and objectives for protecting the natural environment and cultural features of Brooks Point, and define specific actions for achieving them. 3. Identify the types of outdoor recreation uses that will be allowed, and indicate where in the park they will be accommodated. 4. Identify the types and locations of any park facilities and outline what services will be provided.

The management plan will provide a set of policies and actions that will provide a logical, trackable science-based rationale for making decisions in the management of the park.

Park Classification Because of its conservation focus, Brooks Point Regional Park is classified as a Regional Conservation Area. The primary purpose of a Regional Conservation Area is the protection of the natural environment. Only outdoor recreation activities that have minimal impact on the natural environment will be permitted. The main activity will be hiking, informal picnicking and viewing nature. Conservation areas generally have only the basic facilities needed to safely and sensitively access the natural areas. This is the case now at Brooks Point where there are only trails and a few signs.

Consultation The management plan has been prepared with input from a Management Plan Advisory Group (MPAG) who has assisted with reviewing information, participating in the public open houses and reviewing the Direction Statements. The purpose of the MPAG is to bring together a diverse group of people with an interest in planning, management, use and operation of Brooks Point Regional Park and to provide advice regarding the park management plan. The MPAG is made up of six people: five representatives of groups identified in the covenant placed on the property at the time of acquisition, and one member- at-large who regularly uses the park but does not represent a specific group or interest. The MPAG is made up of representatives of the following specific groups or interests:

• The Nature Conservancy of Canada

Brooks Point Regional Park Management Plan – January 2008 Page 3 • The Islands Trust Fund • Friends of Brooks Point • The Pender Island Conservancy Association • A representative from the Brooks family • A Member-at-Large

While the MPAG provides advice and assistance in preparing the management plan, the CRD Board holds final decision-making and approval authority. The final version of the management plan will be submitted to the Regional Parks Committee for consideration and then forwarded to the CRD Board for adoption.

There is also a public component to the consultation process. A public open house was held on Pender Island on November 2006. A newsletter was mailed out to residents and comment forms were available at the meeting. Several members of the public came out to express their views about the park, and overall their comments indicated support for the conservation- focused approach Regional Parks was taking in the plan. A second public open house was held on November 24, 2007 to allow the public to review the plan. Suggestions from that meeting, plus additional input from the advisory group have been included in the final plan.

First Nations Consultation Regional Parks retained the services of Golder Associates Ltd. to assist in researching the cultural significance of the Brooks Point site, and to identify any significant archaeological or historic features that should be noted in preparing the park management plan. The work consisted of a literature review, archival research for sites of archaeological significance, site visits and discussion with local residents. In order to get the First Nations historical perspective, an Elder from Cowichan Tribes visited the park with Parks staff and Golder Associates staff to share the rich cultural history of the site, and to shed light on how the land would have been used historically.

Golder prepared a brief summary of the history of the site, and made a number of recommendations regarding protection of the cultural values within the park. They identified archaeologically significant areas within and near the park, and recommended that these be protected. They suggested that there may be a number of yet unidentified sites within the park that may be of cultural significance, and recommended that before any new facilities are placed within the park, that a detailed inspection take place. The report was not specifically designed to address issues of traditional First Nations use of the property, and did not constitute a traditional use study. The report was written without prejudice to issues of aboriginal rights and/or title.

Links to Other Plans The plans that are linked to this management plan include the Regional Parks Master Plan, as well as the individual site plans for the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, and to a lesser extent the proposed National Marine Conservation Area. Although there are a number of national park sites on South Pender Island, they are not adjacent to Brooks Point; but do, however, enhance the natural environment surrounding the park. If a National Marine Conservation Area is established in the Gulf Islands, Brooks Point, as a Regional Conservation Area will complement the conservation objectives of that strategic plan.

Brooks Point Regional Park Management Plan – January 2008 Page 4 Land Acquisition The privately-owned parcel of land located between Brooks and Gowlland points is an area of interest for CRD Parks. In addition, there are other private ecologically significant waterfront land parcels in the vicinity of Brooks Point that are of interest should they become available. Consolidating the protected area would enhance the park ecosystems, as well as provide a larger coastline for park visitors to enjoy. Vision Statement

Brooks Point Regional Park is a protected special place, and a focal point for community pride. The park is free, wild and open, where visitors can enjoy the natural surroundings, as untouched as possible. Its natural systems will be protected and restored, and its treasured ecosystems are thriving. The ancient fir trees continue to bend in the breezes, and wildflowers blanket the open areas in the spring. Park facilities are minimal, and have the least possible environmental footprint. Brooks Point is a refuge where body and soul can be replenished. Its beauty is cherished by all who visit this wild island sanctuary.

Direction Statements CRD Parks develops direction statements under four major topic areas in its park management plans. The four topic areas are:

¾ Environmental conservation ¾ Visitor use ¾ Cultural heritage management ¾ Park operations and facilities

Direction statements provide a framework around what will be considered in a park management plan, and how these issues will be addressed through the development of an action plan for implementing the goals and objectives of the direction statement and the Conservation Covenant.

Environmental Conservation The environmental conservation context is derived from a number of sources. First and foremost is from the covenant on the land, held by the Islands Trust Fund and the Nature Conservancy of Canada. The Islands Trust Fund has been monitoring the site annually to ensure that the terms of the covenant are being met. In its 2006 review, the Trust Fund monitoring concluded that the Brooks Point Regional Park covenant requirements were being met.

An ecological inventory was carried out over a period of four months in the spring and summer of 2006. This inventory will form the basis for measuring the success of future restoration initiatives and invasive species management.

The ecological inventory made a number of observations regarding the ecosystems of the park, and noted that Brooks Point has areas of coastal grasslands and coastal bluff

Brooks Point Regional Park Management Plan – January 2008 Page 5 communities, which are among the rarest ecosystems in British Columbia. Imperiled plant species are known to occur in typical coastal shoreline locations such as Brooks and Gowlland Points. Red listed species were not noted at Brooks Point, but three small patches of Western Pearlwort, a blue-listed (vulnerable) plant species were found in the park and their locations noted so they can be avoided when locating trails.

The park has an exceptional concentration of chocolate lilies that are a key natural feature of the park, and one cherished by park visitors. The study concluded that areas of Douglas-fir woodlands could recover their natural under-story now that the land is being managed as a Regional Conservation Area. The investigation concluded that invasive species are the greatest threat to the ecological integrity of the park, and that action must be taken to reverse the invasion of non-native species. The species of particular concern at Brooks Point are Scotch broom, Gorse, Laurel-leaved Daphne, English Holly, English Hawthorn and Canada thistle. The report concluded that the management of invasive species should form the basis of an ecological restoration plan for the park.

Environmental Conservation Direction Statement

Brooks Point will be managed to conserve and protect its natural systems and its rare or endangered plants, wildlife and ecosystems. Conservation of the native diversity will be the primary management direction for this park, and take precedence over all other activities. Restoration of disturbed natural features and management of invasive species will be an important part of the conservation strategy for the park.

Visitor Use The visitor use context was derived from a number of sources, including meetings with the Management Plan Advisory Group (MPAG), which consists of representatives from the covenant holders and frequent visitors to the site. This was augmented by public input at an open house held on the island in 2006, where the views of approximately 40 island residents were recorded. The key message from the visitor use research, the public process, and letters from Island residents is a desire to keep the park as natural and undeveloped as possible. Visitors want few, if any facilities. Those providing input into the plan suggested that kiosks, picnic areas, garbage cans, shelters or other structures were not wanted or needed. To protect the habitat, and keep visitors on the path, they suggested that the existing boardwalk should be maintained. A non-intrusive two-sided sign near the entrance to the park could be used to highlight seasonal phenomena, such as the spring wildflower display, and to pass on

Brooks Point Regional Park Management Plan – January 2008 Page 6 park management and safety messages to visitors. Very few additional signs were deemed necessary.

Park use should be limited to passive activities, such as walking, nature study and viewing the natural surroundings. The park vision is one where the park remains very much as it is today, with little development, in a wild natural state. If adjacent land is acquired and added to the park, consideration could then be given to placing a washroom on the already-developed portion of the newly acquired land.

With this context as a guide, it is clear that the Visitor Use Direction Statement should support and complement the Environmental Conservation Direction Statement, to effectively sustain the biodiversity and naturalness of the park with minimal facilities. The park should be managed to maintain its wild and scenic nature.

Visitor Use Direction Statement

Visitor use will be managed in accordance with the conservation and protection objectives outlined in the Environmental Conservation Direction Statement.

Cultural Heritage Management CRD Parks retained the services of Golder Associates Ltd. to assist in researching the cultural significance of the Brooks Point site, and to identify any significant archaeological or historic features that should be noted in managing the park. To get the First Nations historical perspective, an Elder from Cowichan Tribes visited the area with Parks and Golder Associates staff to share the rich cultural history of the site, and to shed light on how the land would have been used historically.

Pender Island, as part of the Gulf Islands, has been home to the Central Coast Salish Peoples, including those represented by the Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group, Tseycum Treaty Group and Sencot’en Alliance. As they are today, the Gulf Islands were used for hunting, fishing and gathering. In the past, people moved seasonally according to the availability of resources. For instance, in the spring, shellfish and herring fisheries were particularly important, while salmon runs were central to summer and fall activities. Bluffs, such as the one at Gowlland Point would have been a good vantage point for watching for fish and porpoises, which would have been cooked over a fire or dried.

Gathering of plants for ceremonial and medicinal purposes was on-going with the seasons. The forest was seen not only as a grocery store, but a pharmacy as well. Burning of the meadows would have been done regularly to ‘sweeten’ the soil, and make it better for Camas and other edible bulbs and plants. Harvesting regularly made the soil better for growing things. Thinning dense patches of food plants would encourage growth of larger bulbs and berries. Eliminating the invasive species that have taken over the land at this location would help restore the site back to what it was before it was modified for agriculture and grazing.

In the words of the Elder, Luschiim of the Cowichan Tribes:

Mukw’stem’o s-ihilhukw’tul “Everything is connected”

Brooks Point Regional Park Management Plan – January 2008 Page 7 During the course of the assessment of the site, archaeological sites within and near the park were identified. It was recommended that no park development occur on or near these known sites. In addition, it was suggested that upon more detailed investigation, other parts of the park might contain sites of cultural significance. Golder recommended that a detailed site-specific investigation take place before any new facilities are provided within the park.

The post-contact history of the site began in 1791, when Spanish explorers Juan Pantoja and Jose Maria Narvaez charted the Gulf Islands. Around this time, Pender Island was surveyed by Francisco-Eliza, commandant at Nootka. Pender Island was named for Daniel Pender, who charted the British Columbia coast between 1857 and 1870 aboard the H.M.S. Plumper. In Hul’q’umi’num, Pender Island is known as “Tl’e’ult-hw”, meaning ‘settled’. Gowlland Point was named for Staff Commander John Thomas Gowlland who was assisting with the survey of this coast during this time.

It was not until the 1870s that Euro-Canadian settlers arrived on Pender Island, primarily from Scotland and England. New immigrants cleared land for both subsistence farming and, later, commercial farming. Rough tracks through dense old growth forest connected widely scattered homesteads, such as those located at Brooks Point. Old fencing throughout the park indicates that the land was used for grazing livestock and ponies in the 20th century.

Cultural Heritage Direction Statement

Brooks Point Regional Park will be managed to respect and protect the land and its resources in such a way that reflects use of the land for feeding and nurturing body and spirit. Restoration activities proposed in the conservation strategy will assist with bringing the land back to the way it was before it was modified for agriculture and grazing.

Park Operations and Facilities CRD Parks has no permanent operational facilities on Pender Island, and maintains facilities at Brooks Point from its headquarters on Vancouver Island. Although there are scheduled visits to the park to maintain signs and trails, CRD Parks will continue to depend on our Volunteer Wardens and park visitors to advise of any new hazards in or misuse of the park. To date, operation of park facilities has been limited to brushing trails and replacing and repairing signs.

Once placed in the park, CRD Parks will maintain any facilities (however limited) to regional parks standards. Public safety will be a keystone of park operations. The park will be operated to the standards of a Regional Conservation Area - CRD Parks’ highest level of protection. The park should be managed and operated in a manner that complements the Environmental Conservation and Visitor Use goals of this plan.

Brooks Point Regional Park Management Plan – January 2008 Page 8 Park operations staff will tailor all operations to accommodate the environmental conservation, visitor use and cultural heritage management objectives of the management plan. Brooks Point Regional Park contains large areas of grasslands that get very dry in summer. CRD Parks will need to develop a protocol for fighting any fires within the park, and for assisting neighbors as much as possible in the event of a fire on an adjacent property.

Park Operations Direction Statement

Brooks Point Regional Park will be managed and operated as a Regional Conservation Area by CRD Parks within its current resources. Park operations and facility management will be minimal, and carried out in a manner that complements the goals set out in the Environmental Conservation Direction Statement.

Regional Park Land Management Zones Although the park classification as a regional conservation area sets out the general context for park management, different areas within regional parks must be managed according to specific environmental parameters and unique features. The landscapes that make up regional parks can be described according to a combination of similar ecological factors that can be classified as ‘zones’. Zone classifications are used to determine which activities the lands in each category can support. Pockets of rare species may appear in any zone, and must be managed individually as ecologically sensitive areas.

Using the ecological inventory as well as site visits to Brooks Point, a number of zoning categories were explored. Due to the presence of rare ecosystem types (coastal bluffs, blue- listed species), much of the land within Brooks Point Regional Park is in the Environmental Protection Zone, requiring the highest degree of protection. The remainder of the park is in the Natural Environment Zone (Map 2).

Environmental Protection Zone Lands that have exceptionally high ecological significance or high sensitivity to disturbance require special attention. Recreational activities and facilities that can negatively affect these areas will be restricted. Specific areas are so fragile and subject to damage, that they need to be managed to protect the species at risk. Access will be limited, with only trails, viewpoints or boardwalks being provided. In areas where damage has already occurred, restoration of the natural systems may be warranted

Natural Environment Zone In this zone, which occupies a large part of the Brooks Point properties, there are exceptional examples of natural beauty and diversity, but these areas can be made more accessible than in the Environmental Protection Zone. This large natural area has been subjected to human disturbance in the past, and contains a number of informally used areas that have not yet benefited from on-going natural area management. There is more flexibility in locating trails, structures and directing visitor activities in this zone. Although the limits of acceptable environmental change are higher here than in the Environmental Protection Zone, there is still a need to manage the land in a way that respects its natural features. Recreation

Brooks Point Regional Park Management Plan – January 2008 Page 9 activities and facilities are still trail-oriented, but the visitor numbers may be higher than in the Environmental Protection Zone. The marine foreshore is also an area of high conservation value, and every effort should be made to ensure that upland activities do not interfere with the natural systems on the forshore.

Park Management Zone Facility Guidelines

Management Objectives Environmental Visitor Experience and Typical Zones Values Activities Infrastructure

To protect Highest degree of Nature study Low impact nature ecologically ecological protection trails Environmental significant areas for rare or endangered Environmental Protection within regional species and interpretation Boardwalks Zone parks for long term ecosystems (e.g. land stewardship. Garry-oak meadows, Some areas possibly set Viewpoints areas with species at aside with no visitor overlooking natural risk, fish habitat) access features Visitor experience is centered around appreciation of natural features Natural To provide natural Areas where outdoor Trails, viewpoints, Trails, viewpoints, Environment areas within the activities take place in boardwalks information signs Zone parks that are conjunction with the more easily natural features Visitor experience is one Primarily used for accessed of taking part in outdoor walking Less remote than activities in a natural To provide areas wilderness setting within the parks that can be used Includes regenerating for more active forests creating a recreational buffer protecting the pursuits other zones

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Brooks Point Regional Park Management Plan – January 2008 Page 11 Management Goals and Actions In order to manage the park effectively, it is necessary to define the goals and specific actions needed to provide successful management of the park. As is the case when defining the direction statements, goals and actions center around the same four topic areas:

¾ Environmental conservation ¾ Visitor use ¾ Cultural heritage management ¾ Park operations and facilities

Environmental Conservation

Goal: To fulfill the intent of the Environmental Conservation Direction Statement and the Conservation Covenant, which is to: Manage Brooks Point to conserve and protect its natural systems and its rare or endangered plants, wildlife and ecosystems. Restore disturbed natural features and manage invasive species.

Actions: ¾ Guide all management actions in this park according to conservation objectives. ¾ Manage the park to conserve the rare coastal bluff ecosystems on the steep bluffs above the shorelines of both Brooks and Gowlland points. ¾ To protect the sensitive ecosystems, dogs must remain on the trails only, and be under control. Dogs that cannot be kept on the trail and under control must be put on a leash. Pet owners are required to pick up after their pets. ¾ Relocate trails away from the coastal bluffs onto the edge of the abandoned pasture. ¾ Develop a restoration plan and an invasive species management plan over the next 1 to 2 years, initially focusing on the abandoned pasture lands where the invasive grasses dominate the landscape ¾ Experiment with a number of alternative restorative actions, such as selective prescribed burns, mowing, and raking in the area of invasive grasses to determine the most practical method to restore the natural conditions. ¾ Remove invasive species from the park, particularly Gorse, Scotch broom, Canada thistle and Daphne. ¾ Direct visitors to remain on the paths to minimize trampling of native wildflowers, particularly the chocolate lily population. ¾ Do not permit formal or organized group activities in the park.

The invasive grasses in the abandoned pasture lands will be part of the initial focus of restoration plans

Brooks Point Regional Park Management Plan – January 2008 Page 12 Visitor Use

Goal: To fulfill the intent of the Visitor Use Direction Statement, which is to: Manage the park in accordance with the conservation and protection objectives outlined in the Environmental Conservation Direction Statement.

Actions: ¾ Manage visitor use in accordance with the conservation and protection directives outlined in the Conservation Direction Statement. ¾ Provide facilities that support only passive activities such as walking, nature study, and wildlife viewing. ¾ Limit structures to minimal interpretive and directional signage, with possible future consideration of one or two benches for enjoying the tranquility of the park, located along the forest edge so as not to disrupt the sweeping vistas of the park. ¾ No Special Park Use Permits established under CRD Bylaw 2721 will be granted in the park. Advertised, organised events that may impact the park such as formal weddings or large family re-unions will not be allowed. ¾ Manage the park so that visitors will be encouraged to leave no trace of their visit, by not providing garbage cans, and having the visitors pack out whatever they brought into the park. ¾ Provide washroom facilities only if adjacent lands, which are already developed, are acquired and added to the park. ¾ Replace the boardwalk through the wet area in the Natural Environment zone. The boardwalk should be extended over the muddy areas just beyond the present boardwalk, but kept to its current width. ¾ Prepare a Communication Plan that will review and determine the appropriate communication tools for getting out park messages, including park brochures, web pages, a kiosk and any interpretive or regulatory signing within the park.

Cultural Heritage Management

Goal: To fulfill the intent of the Cultural Heritage Direction Statement, which is to: Manage the land to respect and protect the land and resources in such a way that reflects use of the land for feeding and nurturing body and spirit. Restore the damaged areas to bring them back to their historical natural significance.

Actions: ¾ Restore the vegetation in the park back to what it was before it was modified for agriculture. ¾ Do not construct facilities on any identified archaeologically significant sites found at Brooks Point. ¾ Conduct a more detailed archaeological examination of any site where future facilities may be required. ¾ Include information about the First Nations’ use of the land in park interpretive signage and brochures. ¾ Do not remove historic artifacts, such as the fencing built by settlers for grazing livestock, except where they pose a public safety risk, such as loose barbed wire.

Brooks Point Regional Park Management Plan – January 2008 Page 13 Park Operations and Facilities

Goal: To fulfill the intent of the Operations Direction Statement, which is to: Manage and operate Brooks Point as a Regional Conservation Area within current resources. Manage facilities at a minimal level, and operate in a manner that complements the goals of the Environmental Conservation Direction Statement.

Facilities Actions: ¾ Limit facilities to directional signs, the existing boardwalk and trails (Map 3). Extend the boardwalk over the muddy trail sections west of the current structures. ¾ Place an information kiosk near the trailhead to Brooks Point to highlight seasonal natural phenomena and other park management messages. ¾ Keep parking on Gowlland Point Road. Do not create new parking spaces within the park lands. ¾ There is currently no demonstrated need for a toilet within the park. CRD will monitor the situation, particularly as it relates to human health and be prepared to provide a facility if needed. ¾ Mark and maintain the trail adjacent to the old pasture, away from the damaged coastal grassland area identified in the ecological inventory. ¾ Follow the directions of the restoration plan to direct visitors away from the coastal bluff area such as signing or cordoning off the area using pier blocks and line to allow the area to re-grow naturally.

Operations Actions: ¾ Maintain all park facilities to regional park standards. ¾ Operate and maintain the park with public safety as a primary consideration. ¾ Locate and maintain signs, trails and the information kiosk in such a way that they support the conservation direction of the park. ¾ Work with the fire chief, the local volunteer fire department and park neighbors to develop a Fire Management Strategy for the park prior to the 2008 fire season ¾ Establish CRD Parks’ Volunteer Warden program in the park so that Park Wardens can assist in managing the park.

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Plan Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation

Plan Implementation The management plan will be in effect when the CRD Board approves the final management plan which will establish Brooks Point as a regional park, taking it out of its ‘reserve’ status. Once approved, tasks outlined in the Management Goals and Actions section of this plan will be carried out within existing resources. Significant implementation actions that need to commence as early as 2008 include:

1. Preparing an ecological restoration plan for the park. 2. Preparing an invasive species management plan for the park. 3. Preparing a fire management strategy for the park. 4. Relocating the current trail away from the impacted coastal bluff ecosystem. 5. Preparing a Communication Plan for the park that can review a range of communication tools to be used to convey park management messages about the park. 6. Establishing the Park Volunteer Warden program in the park to assist with park management and visitor use and enjoyment.

A budget amount will be set for the restoration work and invasive species management once the preliminary restoration plan has been done. Future costs to restore the site will be determined at that time. The park may be a suitable candidate site for an on-going restoration project for the Restoration of Natural Systems program at the University of Victoria.

Plan Monitoring and Evaluation Because of the overriding conservation directions in this plan, restoration of the site and management of invasive species will be a major contributor to the success of the plan. Monitoring and evaluation will be an integral part of the restoration and invasive species management plans for the park, and as such will ensure that park management goals are met. As restoration occurs, invasive species removed, and the land managed as a regional park, the quality of the natural environment will gradually change towards that which is outlined in the Park Vision. Success of the plan will be measured by comparing the current conditions to the desired future condition, with the current ecological inventory providing a baseline for the on-going evaluation of the plan’s success. In this way the plan will be updated on an on-going basis until there is a demonstrated need for a complete review, or until additional lands (either adjacent lands or nearby lands) are added to the park requiring additional planning.

Mukw’stem’o s-ihilhukw’tul

“Everything is connected”

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