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Newsletters - 2006

Newsletter

February, 2006

Morrison Marsh Property Preserved

A 125-acre block of forested land, adjacent to Boyle Point Park has been donated to Islands Trust Fund, to be preserved in perpetuity for its conservation values.

Part of the original land holdings of 4064 Investments Ltd., this parcel was the first large block sold by the company. The new owner, at the time of purchase, intended to dedicate much of the land to conservation. DCA was then in the throes of its Legacy Project and fundraising to try to purchase the Chickadee Lake property. Nevertheless the owner’s good intentions and the natural values of the land were compelling.

DCA obtained a grant to help with the cost of preparation of a conservation covenant, baseline studies, mapping and surveys. Ultimately the owner decided that a transfer of the bulk of the property to the Islands Trust Fund was a simpler solution. DCA will hold a conservation covenant on the land.

We are sure we speak for the whole Island when we express our great appreciation of the owner’s generosity that has preserved this valuable block of natural landscape.

See the bottom page for the Press Release from Islands Trust Fund.

Memberships Due

Reminder to Denman Conservancy Members. It is time to renew your membership for 2006. There will be a table at Recycle on March 4, 10:00am – 12:00. See you then or at the AGM on March 27^th.

A New Acquisition Target

It has been a while, precisely since November 30, 2000, since the Denman Conservancy Association has made a land acquisition. At that time the property known as Winter Wren Wood was purchased and protected, now a lovely spot enjoyed by the public.

The Acquisitions Committee has been considering several properties, which were ranked in an order of desirability, for many months. We are now giving strong consideration to the 147-acre (approx. 50 Hectare) property across from the Old School Centre. Denise MacKean purchased this property for conservation purposes last year. Denise has made a very generous offer to sell this property to the DCA at no financial gain to her and including an offer to take back a mortgage for part of the price at no interest. As she is a member of the DCA board, Denise has stepped back from these considerations so as not to create a conflict of interest.

Denise has proposed the name ‘Central Park Nature Reserve’ for the property.

Attractive features of this land include:

• proximity to the Inner Island Nature Reserve through Crown Land

• significant wetlands and riparian areas

• large size

• proximity to the Old School Centre

The Acquisitions Committee will recommend purchase of the land to the membership to add this link to the protected conservation land. Approval of the membership of DCA is required for the expenditure of funds of this magnitude. Members will be gathered for the AGM on Monday March 27 at 7.30 pm at the Old School Centre.

A Call to All Denman Artists!

The Denman Conservancy is holding a juried competition for a new Tee Shirt design. The design is for the front of small and large sized shirts – printed with two colour screens, on shirts of varied colours. It must include the wording “ Denman Conservancy Association”.

Artists please submit your design by March 15^th to Box 60, Denman Island, B.C. or deliver to 1200 Pickles Road. (Phone Carol Freeman 335-2535 for more information)

The winner will be announced at the Denman Conservancy Association AGM, March 27^th at the Old School.

The reward for the winner, you ask? It will be massive publicity in island newspapers, photo opportunities, seeing your design everywhere on and off island being worn by the young and old and, of course, knowing that you have made a valuable contribution to fundraising for Conservancy.

That Other Central Park

You may know that Manhattan Island is about the same size and shape as Denman Island. So comparisons with their Central Park come rather easily when we propose that name for a block of Denman land. (See the front page). Well, we have some distance to go to equal their example.

Central Park, New York is 843 acres, about 6% of Manhattan’s total area. They have 150 acres in seven water bodies and 250 acres of lawns, though surely we won’t go that way!

Surprisingly they report 136 acres of woodlands.

A final comparison: Central Park, NY being 6% of Manhattan Island is equivalent to all our Parks and conservation lands, which total 6% of Denman Island.

Announcing the

Denman Conservancy Association

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

March 27, 2006 at 7.30pm

At the Old School Centre

If you would consider serving on the Board of Directors please contact Roxanna Mandryk or Laura Pope.

Walks & Talks – 2006

Watch for notices of dates and places in the Grapevine.

Progress on the Settlement

of DCA’s Legal Case against 4064 Invests. Ltd

Preparation of the covenants for the Railway Marsh and Komas Bluff areas is nearing completion. The work included legal surveys, baseline ecological studies and reaching agreement on the legal text of conservation covenants for each of the two areas.

Once completed the covenants must be submitted to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) as some small parts of the covenant areas are within the ALR. When the approval of the ALC is obtained the covenants can be registered and the settlement concluded.

The agreed settlement involves registration of the conservation covenants as well as the donation to DCA of two parcels of land, which total 156 acres, to the north of the Inner Island Nature Reserve on Central Road. The settlement is conditional on the completion of the sale of the lands to Mr Nielsen’s group. Should that sale not go through, DCA’s suit against 4064 would continue.

During negotiations, the DCA neither discussed nor took a position on any development plans the purchaser may have for the 4064 lands and confined itself to obtaining a fair settlement of its claim against 4064 Investments Ltd.DCA's legal case against 4064 Investment Ltd. Is based on the Hancock sales contract (to 4064 Investments Ltd.), which required that these lands have covenants placed on them. The rights of Hancock to enforce that contract were assigned to DCA.

How Railway Marsh got its Name

In the 1970s and ‘80s one of the places inviting exploration by new arrivals on Denman Island was an intriguing trail heading Southeast off Northwest Road, just south of the entrance to Komas Ranch. Under a canopy of tall firs a wide mossy trail, easy walking despite the regular humps across it, led one to peak-a boo views of a hidden wetland area with large open water stretches. It was apparent that the ‘regular humps’ were indeed the remains of railway ties. The name Railway Grade Marsh was coined.

The railway grade itself starts at Henry Bay, adjacent to Pat McLaughlin’s house, and continues alongside the marshes and then down Island past the gravel pits to within half a mile of Swan Road. It dates from the era of the 1920s and ‘30s when railway logging was prevalent on Denman Island.

According to Winnifred Isbister’s My Ain Folk the Henry Bay Railroad Company logged between 40,000 and 50,000 acres of Canadian Colleries lands at the northern end of the island. (Actually there are not that many acres on Denman Island. Perhaps they logged 4000 to 5000 acres.) The operation began in 1925. Some 50 men were employed and most of them lived in the camp at Henry Bay, except for a few islanders who lived at home. A diminutive and ancient steam loco, a Climax engine that came to Vancouver Island in 1902 was the workhorse of this railroad.

Ecological Significance of the Komas Bluffs

(extracted from the Baseline Study prepared by Ryan Durand of Taara Environmental for the conservation covenant.)

The property lies within one of BC’s rarest forest types; the Coastal Douglas-fir moist maritime (CDFmm) biogeoclimatic ecosystem, which is restricted to low elevations along southeast Vancouver Island from Bowser to Victoria, the Gulf Islands south of Cortes Island, and a narrow strip along the Sunshine Coast near Halfmoon Bay.

The CDFmm lies in the rainshadow of the Vancouver Island and Olympic mountains resulting in warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Growing seasons are very long and feature pronounced water deficits on drier sites. The CDFmm represents the mildest climate in Canada.

Three Biogeoclimatic Site Series were classified on the property. They included: Fd – Salal, FdBg – Oregon grape and CwBg – Foamflower.

The ecological significance of the Covenant Area cannot be overstated. Its steep slopes, high groundwater table, and old forest and mature second growth forests make the area important and highly sensitive.

In a landscape dominated by second growth forests, all old growth areas and trees are ecologically significant. Many species which can exist in second growth forests require large standing trees, snags, or fallen trees for seasonal or periodic habitat. As long as these features are available, they can exist in younger forest habitat.

Jenny Balke of the Denman Conservancy Association described how the Covenant Area has been identified and protected by various government agencies, the community, and scientific assessments:

“The Bluff has been identified by government agencies and the Denman community as a significant area for conservation for many years. In 1984, community intervention resulted in the cessation of logging on the Bluff. The following year, the Bluff was designated a Development Permit Area in the Denman Island Zoning Bylaw. In 1991, the Bluff was included in the Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Development Permit Areas designations in the Official Community Plan by the Islands Trust. The Bluff was one of the important areas identified in the submission to the Vancouver Island, Regional Protected Area Strategy, Goal 2 Initiative in 1993; it was also included in the Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory in 1994. The Bluff was included in the Denman Protected Area Network by the Denman Conservancy Association in 1996.”

Of particular importance are the old forest and older second growth stands that occur on the southeastern slopes of the Covenant Area. These forest stands are increasingly rare due to pressure from logging and development.

Therefore, the conservation of the old forest and older second growth forest on the Komas Bluff is of great ecological significance to the island and constitutes a sizeable portion of a constantly diminishing forest type. In addition, the relatively large contiguous forest stand that will be protected within the Covenant Area is rare on the Gulf Islands and one of the largest on Denman Island. The bluff also contains at least one blue-listed species, the red-legged frog ("Rana aurora"), and several red and blue listed ecosystems.

January 26, 2006

Denman Island Marsh Donated to Islands Trust Fund

VICTORIA -- After years of cooperation between the Denman Conservancy Association and an anonymous donor, Islands Trust Fund has received a donation of a significant section of Morrison Marsh on Denman Island.

The 50.5 hectare (125 acre) property contains the southern portion of Denman Island's largest marsh, second-growth forest and rock bluffs. Home to more than 80 bird species, the site is a key waterfowl over-wintering and breeding area. Several species of special concern live on the property, including Great Blue Herons, Hutton’s Vireo, Band-tailed Pigeons, and Red-legged Frogs. The property is also home to many other species including beavers, minks, river otters, raccoons, rough-skinned newts, pacific tree frogs, and several endangered/threatened plant communities.

The donor gave the land to the Islands Trust Fund to make sure it would remain in its natural state forever. Under Section 99 of the Land Title Act there is a provision for ecological protection that allowed the donor to keep some of the land and donate the remainder as a newly surveyed lot without the usual subdivision approval process.

This donation is regionally significant as freshwater ecosystems make up only 1% of the Gulf Islands. Marshes are essential for migrating birds, contain some of the richest biological areas of the islands, and act as important groundwater recharge areas,” said Lisa Dunn, Islands Trust Fund Manager. “We are so impressed by the generousity of the donor and the perseverance of the Denman Conservancy Association.”

"It has been a privilege to work with a landowner who has the foresight of 1000 years. The Morrison Marsh is close to the hearts of Denman Islanders and the Denman Conservancy Association looks forward to holding a conservation covenant on the land to further ensure its protection," commented Patti Willis for the Denman Conservancy Association Board of Directors."

The Islands Trust Fund and the Denman Conservancy will be working with the Denman Island community to develop a management plan for the property. This plan will define short- and long-term management goals for this new nature reserve, including the prospects for public access.

The Islands Trust Fund acts as a regional land trust for the Islands Trust Area. With the generous support of island communities and landowners, it has protected important natural and cultural values on 60 properties with a combined value of over $20 million.

Morrison Marsh Nature Reserve Location

Newsletter

March, 2006

NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE DENMAN CONSERVANCY ASSOCIATION WILL TAKE PLACE ON

March 27, 2006.

The Annual General Meeting will be held in the Denman Conservancy Room of the Marcus Isbister Old School at 7:30 pm on Monday, March 27, 2006

The AGM business will include:

• The Coordinators’ Report, Treasurer’s Report, Committee Reports, and announcement of Awards.

• A Report on the progress of the settlement of our legal case against 4064 to secure conservation covenants on the Railway Marsh and the Komas Bluffs

• A Special Resolution to purchase the 147 acre Central Park property on Denman Road, across from the Old School.

• Election of Directors

We hope to see you at the AGM!

Proposed Acquisition

Central Park Nature Reserve

For some years the Acquisitions Committee of Conservancy has been seeking suitable properties on Denman for purchase. Our aim has been to secure large blocks of land that can contribute to conservation of the natural ecosystems on Denman by their current natural values and their potential for linkage with other areas to form a protected area network.

DCA made several unsuccessful offers to purchase the Chickadee Lake parcel. However with the passage of time, some large conditional grants that would have supported that purchase, expired. The last attempt was made at the end of 2003. Since then the Committee has made a sustained effort to reach agreement with current owners of some other desirable blocks and has now secured an agreement to purchase the Central Park property, subject to the approval of the membership.

Central Park is strategically located both for public access, across from the Old School on Denman Road, and as a linchpin in a Protected Area Network for the Island. It is indeed central, as part of a chain of natural areas along the spine of the Island. Immediately to the northwest are major Crown Land blocks, Inner Island Nature Reserve and the approximately 160 acres of former 4064 lands that is part of the agreed legal settlement. Central Park also has the potential to link across the Island towards Beadnell Creek and Fillongly Park. Its major ecological assets are the long wetland areas, one of which is visible from Denman Road, at the Graveyard Marsh.

The Central Park block was logged around the year 2000, with leave trees in the riparian areas. Owing to the favourable soil conditions forest growth is regenerating remarkably well. Young firs are thriving and most of the skid roads and landing areas scraped bare by logging are already clothed with head-high alders.

Denman Conservancy proposes that Central Park uses will include conservation and public walking trails. We have also told the cemetery search group that we would consider favourably a request to dedicate a small area across from the existing Cemetery for expansion. The whole property is in the Agricultural Land Reserve.

Plans that the DCA Board has made, and that are reflected in the Agreement to Purchase, are for DCA to provide about half the purchase price from its existing cash reserves, to raise another $56,000 prior to closing the sale at the end of September and to grant a mortgage back to the vendor for $200,000. The vendor has generously agreed to take the mortgage on terms most favourable to DCA. An appraisal by Wm. S. Jackson & Associates Ltd. on February 9, 2006 set the value of the property at $500,000.

The Board of the Denman Conservancy Association recommends the membership support the purchase of the Central Park property, and pass the enabling resolution at the AGM on March 27.

Denman Conservancy Association Annual General Meeting will be held Monday, March 27

at the Marcus Isbister Old School Centre. The Board will propose a special resolution to purchase the 147 acres Central Park property.

The doors open at 7 pm. Those who want to join or need to renew their memberships can do that before the meeting will be called to order at 7:30.

Newsletter

Central Park Bought by DCA

The transfer of title took place at the end of September. Central Park is the 147 acres strategically located for public access across from the Old School on Denman Road. It is also a linchpin in a Protected Area Network for the Island, part of a chain of natural areas along its spine. Immediately to the northwest are major Crown Land blocks, Inner Island Nature Reserve and the 160 acres of former 4064 lands that is part of the legal settlement. Central Park also has the potential to link across the Island towards Beadnell Creek and Fillongly Park. Its major ecological assets are the long wetland areas, one of which is visible from Denman Road, at the Graveyard Marsh.

Funds for Central Park Purchase

The fundraising Committee’s efforts and the Community’s excellent response has produced so far, $40,000 of which $5000 was from a Foundation. We also have, in hand, pledges for additional amounts, some towards payment of our first Mortgage payment of $40,000 due April 2007. Your support at the Gala and Silent Auction will help us reach our goals.

Silent Auction at the Gala

The Lark for the Park Gala starts at the Community Hall when the doors open at5 pm on Friday 20^th October. The first hour is for viewing the Silent Auction items and you can get registered if you want tobid. We will be getting the food ready and the bar stocked. Everything gets underway at 6pm.

Todd Butler, our closing entertainer will be wrapping up around 10 pm and the auction goods will be available to take away then, too. Visitors will be able to catch the 10.40 pm ferries off the Island without missing the fun. (Except of course for the cleanup crew who will have even more fun.)

Donation List for the Gala Auction
Up to Press time - Oct 9

Shawl, Framed print, Massage, Jewel, more Jewels, 2 hour garden consult, Gift certificate, 6 apple trees, Leaf lamp, Cushion, Ceramic pot, Yoga classes, more Yoga classes, $100 off stonemasonry, 4 hour sculpture instruction, Dinner for four, Pottery, Gift basket, Gift certificate, Organic cotton T-shirt, Framed print, Framed photo, Miso + maybe tamari,

B + B night, Painting or print, B + B night, Aroma therapy basket, Chocolate, 25 Havana cigars, Chair, Shawl, B + B & healing session, 2 hour group gardening, Large plush reindeer, Horse ride (2), Computer desk, 2 hour internal (interior?) design, Chimney cleaning, Computer desk, Framed photo, 4 hour gardening/landscaping, 4 hour Tai Chi.

Settlement of the Legal Case against 4064 Investments Ltd.

As we go to press we are very close to completion of the settlement. If it were possible to compare a ten-year legal saga to a board game, in Snakes and Ladders we would be past the head of the last snake and only have to throw the exact number on the dice to reach Home.

The realignment of boundaries by the Komas Bluff, technically a subdivision, but without a change in density, has been completed. This leaves only the final step of completion of the sale of 4064 properties, transfer of the settlement land, filing covenants and ending the legal case, all this to be completed simultaneously!

The Legal Committee: Patti Willis, John Millen, Roxanna Mandryk, Juan Barker.

Morrison Marsh Nature Reserve

Since 125 acres at the south end of Morrison Marsh were donated anonymously to the Islands Trust Fund (ITF) in late 2005, the DCA has been working closely with the ITF to see that the land's conservation values are preserved in perpetuity. In March, Jenny Balke completed an updated environmental Baseline Report about the property. In early August, the Agricultural Land Commission approved the placement of a conservation covenant over the land (some of it being in the ALR). The ITF and DCA, who will be the Covenant Holder, have finalized the covenant in preparation for its registration on title in October. DCA has responded to a tender call from the ITF to develop the Management Plan for the Reserve and is awaiting a final decision as to whether it will receive the contract for this work. Regardless of who develops the plan, there will be a public process to solicit the input of Islanders as to the future management of the Morrison Marsh Nature Reserve.

This project began in 2000 under the coordination of Patti Willis and Juan Barker. They would like to thank the many people who contributed to ensure its success: Jenny Balke, Louise Bell, Don Chamberlain, Daryl Collier, Leslie Dunsmore, Judy Jamison, Marilyn Jensen, Bentley LeBaron, Guy Marion, Peter Marshall, Peter Mason, Jim Matthew, Kevin Mitchell, Mike Morrell, Doug Olstead, Chris Pielou, Ardice Todosichuk, Ted Trueman, the Board of Directors of the Denman Conservancy Association, and especially the generous owner; and, to EcoACTION 2000 of Environment Canada for its financial contribution in support of this project.

Summer Gallery Nature Photos and Silent Auction

Denman Conservancy would like to thank the supporters, submitters, gallery sitters and bidders of the silent auction of Denman photography, and especially Andrew Fyson for conceiving and almost single-handedly seeing the show to its very successful conclusion on Tuesday September 19.

Andrew matted and framed 40 photographs from a collection of several hundred submissions and also provided an extraordinary photographic display of Denman flora and fauna.

The framed photos were all sold, raising a total of just over $1500 to go toward the purchase of the Central Park property.

DCA’s fundraising campaign is staged, firstly to raise $56,000 to add to the DCA acquisition fund for the down payment of $296,000 and secondly to fund the balance of the purchase ($200,000), to be paid interest-free over 5 years starting in April, 2007.

With the “Lark for the Park” gala evening to be held October 20, the second phase of the campaign will commence. DCA is actively soliciting donations and pledges to cover the long-term effort to complete the purchase. Charitable tax receipts can be issued for monies received.

DCA took possession of Central Park on September 29, 2006.

Walks on Saturday mornings in October

Saturday October 14, Central Park
Join J Thornton and Andrew Fyson for an exploration of DCA’s new acquisition.
Meet 10 am at the Old School Centre

Saturday October 21, Settlement Lands

With Patrick Fawkes and Andrew Fyson visit the lands on Central Road donated to DCA as part of the legal settlement with 4064 Ltd.
Meet 10 am at the Old School Centre

Saturday October 28, Railway Marsh
John Millen and Mike Morrel will lead a walk on the Railway Marsh covenant area granted to DCA as part of the legal settlement with 4064 Ltd.
Meet 10 am at the Denman Community Hall

Coming in November: Winter Water Birds. Watch for a notice in the Grapevine.

Protected Area Networks

Do they have a place in official planning?

At the Islands Trust Council Meeting held on Denman Island on September 14 a staff presentation discussed Protected Area Networks as a conservation tool for use in Official Community Plans. The present ecosystem mapping of the Islands Trust Fund is being updated with an order of magnitude more detail. This work, based on new air photography has started in the southern islands and will progress north to cover Denman in 2007. It is expected to enable the determination of Protected Area Networks based on objective criteria.

The presentation further discussed the application of Development Permit Areas as a means of implementing a Protected Area Network in an Official Community Plan.

The PAN maps prepared for Denman Island were noted in the presentation. DCA prepared the first such map in the mid 1990’s and SILVA Ecosystem Consultants produced another in 1998.

The concept is not new to Islands Trust. In its REGIONAL CONSERVATION PLAN 2005 – 2010 the Islands Trust Fund offered planners and Local Trust Committees its expertise to assist them in establishing a network of protected areas. The information provided by the Islands Trust Ecosystem Mapping (ITEM), created by Islands Trust Fund was identified in their Conservation Plan as essential for designing such networks.

Winter Wren Wood

Nearly six years ago, in November of 2000, Winter Wren Wood became the first property held by DCA for conservation purposes. It has since become a community-use parcel providing a great venue for school field trips and a self-guided nature walk. The community has also been very considerate in its use as an access point to Chickadee Lake. Although the property does not actually extend to the lakeshore there has been a path there to the lake for years.

This fall we have extended Peter Karsten’s nature trail over a small marshy area with a short boardwalk, which creates a path around the perimeter of the park on both sides of Lake Road.

The area is meant to be enjoyed so please come and explore this little gem.

A Reminder To Teen VOLUNTEERS 

DCA has created the Doug Olstead Award of $200, which was first awarded at this year’s AGM and will be given annually for the next four years to a Denman Island Teen volunteer.  Please apply in writing to Box 60 Denman Island, outlining your volunteer community service.  

For further information contact: Carol Freeman phone 335 2535

This Newsletter was put together with contributions from: J and Ginny Thornton, Denise MacKean, Patti Willis, Patrick Fawkes, Lee Andra Jacobs, Andrew Fyson, John Millen, Carol Freeman, Peter Karsten.

Newsletter

DCA Legal Case against 4064

After six extremely challenging years, DCA has dropped its marathon legal case against 4064 Investments Ltd, having achieved an out-of-court settlement.  The settlement includes Conservation Covenants registered in favour of DCA on the Komas Bluff and the Railway Grade Marsh and the title to two parcels of land on Central Road that were transferred to DCA.

We will be posting a full story about the legal case along with descriptions of the new covenant areas and lands in the near future at this site.

Central Park Fundraising

When the dust had settled after the DCA Gala and the books brought up to date, we found that we had reached our target of raising the funds for completing the down payment of $298,000 for Central Park, purchased at the end of September. Our first mortgage payment of $40,000 is due April 1^st next year, so we continue to work at it.

DCA has let a small contract to launch our Institutional Fundraising campaign. We will be seeking capital funds to complete the purchase of Central Park and also funds for the management and restoration projects for Central Park and our other newly acquired land.

Christmas Craft Fair December 2 & 3

Look for us in the Seniors Hall

Sketch by Peter Karsten

Morrison Marsh Covenant Registered

A Conservation Covenant in favour of DCA has now been registered on the title of the 52-hectare Morrison Marsh Nature Reserve owned by the Islands Trust Fund.

Taara Environmental has been contracted as environmental and technical consultants to prepare the Management Plan for the Reserve, expected to be completed by the end of March 2007. 

Taara held a public open house on November 18 to brief islanders about the Reserve and seek their input about their use of the Reserve and any activities that they might deem to be incompatible with conservation of its natural features. If you weren't able to attend the open house, you can visit Taara's website on this project at:

Tax Exemptions Supported

DCA’s request for tax exemptions for its newly acquired land has been supported by the Regional District and Islands Trust. This covers Central Park and the two Settlement Land parcels. The exemption is granted because the land is being held for public benefits of conservation and recreation.

The Settlement Lands

As part of the settlement of our legal case against 4064, DCA has received title to two parcels of land located immediately north of the Inner Island Nature Reserve on Central Road. These parcels total 156 acres and yes, they have been logged. (We have not formally adopted the name: 'Settlement Lands' but that is the name most commonly used at present.)

The ecological values of these parcels include the northern extension of the Beaver pond - crossed by the Pickles Road bridge, and the wet lowlands in the northeast where the land extends on to the Swale, just south of the Lake Farm.

In addition the land provides a significant connection between Inner Island and its adjacent Crown Lands, with the Crown land to the west and with Winter Wren Wood and Chickadee Lake. This is a major contribution to DCA's 'Central Park Vision' of conservation land stretching from Denman Road to Chickadee Lake.

Jenny Balke is currently preparing an ecological overview of the land. We expect to have more to relate about its natural values in the future.

Please Stop Dumping Along Central Road

In recent months there have been truckload dumps of land clearing debris left on the Settlement Land beside Central Road. This debris is unsightly and a fire hazard in summer. DCA is also concerned that contaminated material may be introduced. We hope that all Denman residents will respect the conservation status of this land, and that this illegal dumping will stop.

Land Management Tasks

A committee of DCA has been working since summer to prepare for the additional work that will come from our newly acquired land and covenant responsibilities.
We also have some big planning tasks ahead of us to deal with such questions as:

• Location and construction of Walking Trails
• Restoration – is it needed? What, where?
• Control of introduced species – Broom

DCA expects that meeting these responsibilities will require the hiring of a land and covenant manager in the New Year.

Logging Railways on Denman

Around about World War I the first logging railroad was built on Denman Island. It ran a total length of 3 miles, from near the cemetery on Denman Road, northwest towards Chickadee Lake and then it followed down the line of Lake Road to reach Denman Point where the logs could be put into Baynes Sound. On the sandy spit of Denman Point traces of the pattern of ties can still be seen.

This railway crossed diagonally through DCA’s Central Park, and through the Crown Block to Inner Island Nature Reserve from where it next traversed the Settlement Lands and another Crown Block to emerge on Lake Road.

Next a longer line, starting in Henry Bay was built. George Piercy, born in 1924 remembers:

"The Henry Bay Logging Co. built a railroad that ran from Henry Bay on the northwest side down through most of the northern section of the Island. One of my earliest memories was when my father took me for my first train ride on this old steam engine to the end of the line where he wanted to show me what logging was all about.
They logged most of the northern and central portion of Denman."

From This Doctor’s Journey Ptarmigan Press 2000

This was the railroad that paralleled the Railway Grade Marsh. The line extended southeast to the vicinity of Swan Road. A railway spike picked up in 1997 only a few hundred meters west from Swan Road suggests that it reached that area. Railway logging was made obsolete when trucks became powerful enough to haul logs.

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