The Western Canada Wilderness Committee, Mid Island Chapter will once again be inviting the public to their annual BC Rivers Day tour to the third tallest Sitka Spruce tree in Canada this Sunday at 1 p.m.
Located along the salmon-rich Little Qualicum River, the 60-hectare Qualicum Beach salmon forest where the tree was discovered 12 years ago, still remains unprotected from logging and development by Island Timberlands.
During the Rivers Day celebration this year, five-year-old Portia Miller, who has been fundraising to help the Town of Qualicum Beach purchase the logging rights on a portion of the forest, will be announcing her plans to further fundraise by cutting her waist-length blond hair.
“It takes a long time to grow back healthy trees, but my hair will grow back quickly,” she said.
Information displays, salmon viewing are from at noon until 4:00 pm with the blessing of the salmon and hike starting at 1 p.m. Look for signs and pink salmon at corner of Kinkade Rd. and the Old Island Highway.
For more information, call 250-752-6585.
— News staff