Category Archives: Outdoors

Outdoors on Vancouver Island

Moorecroft Regional Park Survey and Open House

Posted on by

Come and share your ideas about the future of Moorecroft Regional Park at the first public open house on Saturday October 22, 2011 from 12 pm – 4 pm at Kennedy Lodge in the park.

You can also fill out an online survey.

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) has retained O2 Planning and Design to help with a 10 year management plan, which is scheduled to be complete in November 2012.

At this stage, the goal is to identify issues and opportunities that the plan needs to address and to inform the development of a draft:

  • Vision
  • Management Goals, and
  • Management scenarios for the park

The 34 hectare Moorecroft site includes close to 1 km of beach and spectacular views across the Georgia Strait. There are approximately 32 hectares of natural forest featuring tree species such as Western Red Cedar, Douglas-fir, Arbutus, Bigleaf Maple, Red Alder and Garry Oak. Two intermittent creeks run through the property, and two eagle nesting sites have been identified. The property also contains a wetland area known as Skipsey Lake, a play field and a network of trails.

The Nature Trust of BC is still accepting donations to purchase this park.

Curbside Wood Chipping Program in Parksville

Posted on by

Parksville has a free curbside wood chipping program.  The City’s wood chipping program will take place this fall from October 12 – 28, 2011 weekdays, between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm.

Please note the follow instructions:

  1. Branches with a maximum diameter of 6 inches (15 cm), stacked with the larger end of the branch or trunk facing the roadway
  2. Woody shrub material, piled for ease of access by the chipping crew
  3. Pampas grass and clematis and wisteria vines cannot be chipped. These, along with other vegetation, garden debris, leaves, and grass clippings must be taken to the Church Road Transfer Station. Piles containing the aforementioned items will not be removed by the chipping crew.
  4. Piles must be limited to a size of 5 feet wide by 3 feet high, and only one pile per residence will be removed by the chipping crew.

 

To find out the pick up days, go to the City of Parksville website on the blogroll.

dp seal trans 16x16 Curbside Wood Chipping Program in ParksvilleCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2011

Ron of Nanaimo needs your help

Posted on by

Ron Coupal of Nanaimo has found the solution to local pollution and guess what? He needs your to help.  Ron has started a website called www.nanaimogreenpatrol.com and needs people to take action in their own local neighbourhoods to start picking up litter.

If you need ideas on how to get the right tools, like a “grabber,” to make picking up litter around your area easier, drop Ron a note at his site.  Also, if you need some inspiration on what you can do with the garage you pick up on the beach check out artist A.H. Pozzi and her “Washed Ashore” garbage project from the Oregon Coast and her massive sculptures using plastic and other debris that were collected from the beaches.

Photo Monday: Golden Gem in Parksville

Posted on by
wilson Photo Monday: Golden Gem in Parksville

I always wear my black cap! Wilson's Warbler in Parksville

Ralph was fast enough to catch up to this Wilson’s Warbler you can just see his black cap.   This vibrant yellow bird is amazing. It is as if you were in a tropical jungle!  Also, the warblers eat lots of bugs, a good friend for your garden.  

Photography Courtesy of Ralph Hocken.

Help the “Moorecrofters”

Posted on by

A neighbourhoood group call the ‘Moorecrofters’ are helping The Nature Trust of BC, a non-profit organization, raise $500,000 towards the purchase of the former United Church Moorecroft Camp which was recently purchased by the Regional District of Nanaimo. This valuable 85acre oceanfront property is now knows as MOORECROFT REGIONAL PARK!!

HOW MUCH DID IT COST TO ACQUIRE MOORECROFT REGIONAL PARK?
$4.8million – Purchase Price
$7.95million – List price for property in Sept2010
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE NATURE TRUST OF BC?
As outlined in the purchase agreement with the RDN, the Nature Trust of BC is now fundraising to contribute up to $500,000 of the purchase price.

GIVE A GIFT TO MOORECROFT
Help the Nature Trust of BC raise $500,000 towards the purchase of Moorecroft and restoration of facilities and nature trails.

You can donate HERE or phone 1-866-288-7878
Send cheque to
The Nature Trust of BC
260-1000 Roosevelt Crescent
North Vancouver, BC V7P 3R4

Tax receipts will be issued for all donations!  Join the “Moorecrofters” in the opening of
Moorecroft Regional Park,  June 18, 1 to 3pm, Hosted by the Regional District of Nanaimo.