Saving Linley Valley West

Have you visited Nanaimo’s Linley Valley? It is located in the northern section of the city. Only part of Linley Valley has been saved, known as PRC1.

Linley Valley West (approximate area circled)

A group of local residents, known as ‘Linley Valley Team’ headed by Joanne Jonas, is trying to push for an environmental corridor in the area known as AR2 (circled in purple) and some sections of R10. The brown areas, AR1 and AR2, are scheduled for development. The Linley Valley Team is seeking to have the link of wetland areas and beaver ponds preserved as an ecological reserve.

A Channel News coverage by Jonathan Bartlett

Here is Joanne’s description of the West Side of Linley Valley area:

This area is a gem, it is wilderness right in the city of Nanaimo

“There are deer, cougar, bear, heron, eagles, ducks, red legged frogs, kingfishers, all sorts of birds, endangered stickleback fish, owls, and many more species living right in this park. The wetland areas are all connected and are so important as are the forests. This area is a very large wildlife area and a corridor that is so vital for Nanaimo. So much wild space is being cut down to make room for more and more subdivisions and housing. Vancouver Island is a paradise and Nanaimo is a beautiful city, but unfortunately due to poor planning and clearcut development methods, all of our wild spaces are disappearing. There is no more room for wildlife and this is sad as many people relocate to Nanaimo to have a bit of the wild in the city.

yellowrump 300x200 Saving Linley Valley West

Myrtle Warbler in Linley Valley - photo by Ralph Hocken

“Ocean in front, mountains in the back, and the Linley Valley right in the centre. Linley Valley West deserves to remain as an undisturbed, natural area for all of the creatures that inhabit it, as well as for everyone to take pleasure in walking in a real wilderness park in the city.”