[Nick Heath]

We are planning to do conservation work at Simson Prov Park on the Sunshine Coast. We received a small Park Enhancement Fund grant for this work. It will enable us to pay ferry fares as needed, buy some tools and leather protective gloves etc.
Last year, members identified a small but significant growth of invasive blackberry and ivy in the Park, which, if controlled early, will prevent a more massive infestation at this near-ideal location for paddlers.
The plan:
Pt 1 Camp 1-2 nights approx 24/25 Feb. Travel to S Thormanby I from Coopers Green, Halfmoon Bay by small power boat. Take brush cutter power tools. Cut down invasive blackberry canes. Gather up canes in heaps. Need 1-3 volunteers.

Pt 2  Camp 1-2 nights approx 22/24 Mar. Travel to S Thormanby I from Coopers Green Halfmoon Bay by kayak. Take rakes, tarps. Move cut blackberry canes and previously cut ivy pieces to beach to burn. Look for other invasive plants in area, document & mark if found. Conduct hiking trail check for continuity N-S in Park. Clear trail obstructions, brush out. Need 4-6 volunteers.

Why so early in the year? We must do the cutting before the birds start nesting.

Sunshine Coast members welcome, and could be especially helpful if any logistical support is needed e.g. tool storage.
The sign-up will be available shortly on the web site. Questions happily answered by Nick H or Cynthia K  –  conservation1(at)skabc.org

Topic

[Nick Heath]

A big thanks to all 7 brave participants – the ivy/blackberry assassins! All went well, although soggy. BC Parks will likely call us to let us know when we can next apply for a grant (to sort of do their work for them!)

[Nick Heath]

This trip starts in just 4 days and was full, but now we have one space remaining because of a cancellation.

Pl. Call Nick if you are interested.

[Nick Heath]

Thanks for the kind offer Susie!

4 of us camped there this past weekend and it was tolerable,  even comfortable!. It is true that one might get just as much achieved on separate day visits rather than staying overnight on the island, but the transport either costs more and/or takes more time and when we were planning, your offer of  accommodation had not been received. So I think we will stay with our plan to camp when we go back in March.  Depending on how BC Parks find our work (I’m visiting the island with the Park Ranger next week) we will likely be planning further visits in the off-season when the birds are no longer nesting.

[Susan Servos-Sept]

I live on the Sunshine Coast (Halfmoon Bay). I am willing to help any way I can but not willing to sleep out on the the Island this time of the year (March). Have you considered the water taxi and just going out for the day / 2 days? You are welcome to stay at our home (inside and warm) if you don’t mind couches and the floor.

Susie

 

[Nick Heath]

Registration is now open for the 22-24 Mar trip.

Pl sign up!

Any questions? – nheath (at) sfu.ca

[Colleen Cole]

Hi Nick – I can make the March 22-24 dates.

[Nick Heath]

Thks Jordan

I cut quite a lot of ivy there last summer. It probably needs more effort, though. I’m considering rappelling off the cliffs it grows up to get closer to it – but don’t tell anyone or they’ll shut us down!

Nick

 

[Jordan Rosenfeld]

I can make March 22-24.  There’s some patches of English Ivy that would be good to yard out too 🙂

Jordan Rosenfeld

[Nick Heath]

Super, Kelly. Thks!

[Kelly Robertson]

I can help on both dates and can bring loppers, pruners and a reciprocating saw.  I also have lots of dry firewood if needed.

[Nick Heath]

There used to be a post with a No Fires notice at the camping area, but a few years ago it was taken down and burned for firewood…Anyhow technically I think it is ‘no  camp fires’ here but I’ll get permission for a beach clippings burn. That is probably sufficient (unless the Park Ranger attends) to have a tent-warming fire and there is no shortage of wood to burn.

[Brian Pegg]

Hi Nick – I would be keen to go, provided I can lug a fairly heavy camping outfit.

If we can lug firewood in, I will set up a tent with a wood stove so we can dry off if needed.  Or – does this park allow driftwood harvest for fires?   If yes then even easier.

BP

[Nick Heath]

Excellent, Reed! Yes it will be under ‘Events” I guess. You are welcome to bring along a kayak – good plan if the weather is nice. It is a lovely area to paddle.

I want to dig out all the roots – that is the correct way to do this job – but BC Parks have agreed with sishalh Nation that there will be ‘no ground disturbance’ so our hands are tied unless we are willing to hire a professional archaeologist to stand over each volunteer who digs out a root! Somewhat crazy, I know, at this former cleared farm site which has also been extensively logged!

It also means that the cutting will need repeating, possibly annually, until the blackberry or we give up.

[Reed Clarke]

I can do that.

I notice you only mention cutting down the invasive plants. Not digging up the roots?

Will this be listed under Events?

Also, if the weather is decent, I might bring along my kayak and stay an extra day for some paddling.

Cheers, Reed

[Author]

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