The City of Parksville and The Nature Trust of BC have announced plans to conserve an ecologically important property along the Kw’a’luxw (Englishman) River in perpetuity at 130 Shelly Rd.
They will also co-operate on the completion of a community pathway designed to protect ecologically and culturally significant areas while providing links to the existing trails that provide access to one of Vancouver Island’s most ecologically important estuaries with an active salmon river, according to a news release by the Nature Trust of BC.
The city has agreed to donate $1.8 million of the property’s appraised value of $2.6 million to this project. Once built, the pathway will extend from the eastern terminus of Nerbus Lane to the northern terminus of Shelly Road.
“We are thrilled to partner with The Nature Trust of BC to protect this vital area and create a pathway to showcase this breathtaking estuary,”said Parksville mayor Doug O’Brien. “The City of Parksville is committed to create a safe and accessible pathway which will allow the community to enjoy this natural haven while ensuring its protection for generations to come.”
The 13 acre property contains important floodplain, riparian and forested habitat immediately adjacent to the Kw’a’luxw (Englishman) River and supports numerous species of fish and wildlife throughout the year.
The partnership between the City of Parksville and The Nature Trust of BC is a milestone towards increasing connectivity within the Parksville region while ensuring this critical area is protected in perpetuity.
The Kw’a’luxw (Englishman) River estuary is one of B.C.’s most endangered rivers due to declining fish stocks. It is also one of the most important salmon spawning rivers on the mid coast of Vancouver, providing habitat for all five species of salmon as well as trout species such as rainbow, cutthroat, and steelhead. The area is in a Moist Maritime Coastal Douglas-fir biogeoclimatic zone — currently only 11.5 per cent of these rare ecosystems are conserved.
READ MORE: PQB Broombusters invasive plant battlers applaud UBCM resolution
The Kw’a’luxw (Englishman) River estuary and the nearshore coastal area is also an internationally significant habitat for migratory and breeding birds, and many other species, like black bear, cougar, deer, river otter and Roosevelt Elk.
The acquisition of this property expands The Nature Trust of BC’s existing conservation properties near the Kw’a’luxw (Englishman) River and in the Regional District of Nanaimo.
“Kw’a’luxw (Englishman) River is one of the most ecologically important estuaries in B.C. , providing essential riparian habitat for fish, birds, mammals, and amphibians. The benefits of conservation ripple out far and wide, with a direct impact on wildlife, people, and our planet,” said Dr. Jasper Lament, CEO of The Nature Trust of BC. “That’s why we’re proud to work with the City of Parksville and Snaw-naw-as First Nation to safeguard our future by protecting these vibrant ecosystems.”
The Nature Trust of BC and the City of Parksville will work closely with the Snaw-Naw-As (Nanoose) First Nation to support the long-term stewardship and management of this area and in the design of the community pathway including interpretive signage.
This builds on the stewardship and restoration work that The Nature Trust of BC and the Snaw-naw-as Nation have implemented at the estuary spit, the ongoing inventory and monitoring of the estuary as well as the fish habitat restoration work completed on the lower river. In September 2022, The Nature Trust of BC entered into a Stewardship and Management Agreement with the Snaw-Naw-As Nation which recognizes the Nation as a rights holder to manage their lands and resources, improve stewardship with ecosystem-based land use planning, and protect the cultural and ecological values of traditional lands. The land at 130 Shelly Rd will be a part of this agreement.
“Everything is connected. From the mountains to the shoreline and everything in-between, it is all one thing. It is our responsibility to protect and care for all things connected to Kwa’a’luxw,” said Chris Bob, Snaw-Naw-As community member. “Snaw-naw-as has a meaningful partnership with The Nature Trust and other stewardship groups with the watershed in mind for future generations. Working together and moving forward is the goal.”
Once constructed, the pathway will improve accessibility and walkability in the community with linking trails, parks, and green spaces and will include interpretive signage that not only highlights the ecological richness of the area but will also share the important cultural history of the river and estuary.
The City of Parksville will assume all costs for the design, development, and maintenance of the pathway, while The Nature Trust of BC is responsible for conservation and management of the land in perpetuity.
— NEWS Staff, submitted