[Nick Heath]

In previous years we have held a work party to help control invasive ivy at Maple Beach in Belcarra Regional Park. This year, the Park Ranger has expressed a preference to do the work on a weekday rather than at a weekend. We unsure how this might affect our volunteer team – it would be good to have 4 or more.

This is a short walk in from the Belcarra parking lot – no paddling required. Likely a half day is sufficient. Fairly simple task.

Possible dates are:

Feb 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 28,29

The birds will be nesting after 1 Mar, so we can’t go any later.

If this is something you are willing to do, pl reply here so we can gauge whether to offer this a a formal conservation trip and guarantee Metro Vancouver a work team.

[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.

[Quirine Schuyff]

There will be another Gambier Island trip on the family day long weekend. I am seeking a co-lead.
You MUST sign up when the trip is posted on the calendar. I just wanted to get the word out for a co-leader and for those interested to save the date. This should be posted very soon.

Feel free to contact me for further details. Quirine

quisch@gmail.com

 

Details:

Family Day Weekend Camping/Cabin on Gambier – 2B (with rocky landing, possible wind) Come and enjoy some winter paddling with the benefit of a rustic cabin with a wood stove to warm up in. Then enjoy a delicious dinner in a cosy cabin with water views. You may choose to sleep in the rustic cabin or bring a tent to sleep in. There are a few flat spots on a sloped property. There is a stream for water which can be used for cooking and drinking if filtered.

One purpose of this trip is to give back to our gracious Gambier host by helping with some tasks on the property. This may be: blackberry bush clearing, firewood cutting, building a shed, or something else.

Important: 

Please ensure you area able to follow our itinerary.

Depending on whether we have use of an ATV or not, this trip may involve walking up a rugged and steep road/hill for about 150m with your gear (and back down.) Please ensure you bring adequate footwear for this.
Our host prefers that stove use is kept to outside use only, so ensure that you have a stove capable of handling varied types of weather.
This site involves using an outhouse for toilet needs
Trip Leader: Quirine

Quirine is looking for a co-lead to assist. This will determine how many paddlers will be able to join.

Ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale – 9:45am

We will launch from Langdale.

Option 1: walk your loaded boat on the ferry from Horseshoe Bay (need good wheels)
Option 2: drive car, boat and gear onto ferry and park at Langdale (may be cheaper and easier)
Distance/Route:

Langdale to Gambier landing area:

3.9 NM direct
5.4 NM hugging coastline – safer choice if v windy.

Passage time 2-3 hr.

Suggested Itinerary:

Sat morn.

Launch: Langdale

Arrive, set up camp, beds, unpack etc.

Tour of the property if needed

Sat eve:

Communal meal cooked by our host and enjoyed in her cabin – participants are asked to contribute to food costs for this if joining.

Conversation to follow.

Sun:

Breakfast on our own.

Paddle or hike if the weather is favourable. Also do some tasks on the property.

Sun eve:

Communal dinner – THIS TIME DONE BY ONE/SOME OF THE PARTICIPANTS

Wine and conversation if desired. Location TBA.

Monday morning:

Breakfast

Pack up for return trip – bring gear down to launch site.

Launch from Gambier at 12:00pm latest

3:15pm Ferry from Langdale to Horseshoe Bay

[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

[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

[Kevin Hall]

Yes, the presentation has been recorded. We will post it on the club YouTube channel in a few weeks.

[Doug Horswill]

Hi– I was away at the time of this meeting. Is there a recording available?

[Richard Merchant]

Nick’s suggestion about Lee’s Electronics is very good (not only because I love them – lots and lots of bits, and very reasonable prices…).  They have antennae:

https://leeselectronic.com/en/search?controller=search&s=antenna

They are not a radio store so whether they can provide knowledgeable advice I don’t know.

If a reasonable secondary product can be located, I’d still be concerned about water-proofing and would stick with my silicon suggestion…

 

[Nick Heath]

These antennae seem to be all detachable with a screw or bayonet fitting. They are a high loss/frequently damaged item. I suspect that any manufacturer antenna would work equally well. The signals sent and receive by any comparable hand-held marine certified unit will be to a consistent, specific standard.

In the past, for better gain (i.e. more range), I have used a larger boat antenna on a handheld radio to good effect, joined by co-axial cable.The impedance must match, that is all, really.

A radio or electronics store is where to inquire. Lee’s Electronics on Fraser St comes to mind. There used to be a good 2 way radio store at the foot of Main St in Marpole, too, if I recall correctly. Maybe it is still there?

[Author]

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