With hearty congratulations due to the Nanaimo and Heritage Day organizers, we’d like to invite one and all to similarly remember the ‘Heritage Lands’ linking the Cowichan and Nanaimo regions.
Our rural and resource beginnings fostered and fed Nanaimo and coast, and far-off lands, before Confederation. And with Canada’s 150th birthday on the horizon, our rural communities will again be celebrating in classic country style, with walks and hay rides, sporting challenges and farmer’s markets, all in the great outdoors.
Maybe even rafting and tubing along our heritage river, with picnics and barbecues fired-up by the swimming holes.
These are some of the ideas coming out of a series of meetings we have underway to kick-start a ‘Rural Heritage and Beautification’ project, that will also remember those who lived and travelled the glory roads and heritage trails of Cedar, Yellowpoint, North Oyster, Cassidy and South Wellington.
Starting this summer with planters donated by the City of Nanaimo, we’ll be putting in benches and artworks. Come the fall we’re rolling up our sleeves to plant heritage seeds and beautiful pocket gardens, and maybe a small forest or two with Garry Oaks given by a local farmer.
Early settlers, First Nations and all the families who called these lands home toiled long and hard way back when, and we want to show the Island and the world the hidden treasures we have buried here in our rural past.
We’ll be partnering with local groups and businesses, celebrating with our neighbours, and honouring the history and community all Islanders share. And we’d love to have you join us, or send us your memories of times past, or present. Call us at the Vancouver Island and Coast Conservation Society, 250-722-3444.
Laurie Gourlay, president, Vancouver Island and Coast Conservation SocietyCedar