This 48-hectare dry maritime forest by Powell River contains an exceptionally scenic, dramatic stretch of coastline. It is accessible to the public and offers hiking trails, rock climbing, and unspoiled wildlife habitat that is perfect for a nature park. It is heavily used by local people and could be a version of West Vancouver’s famous Lighthouse Park.

The parcel, on Island Timberlands’ corporate private lands, is known as DL 3040, and includes sensitive ecosystems of arbutus/rocky outcrops, second-growth Douglas-fir and cedar trees of high community recreation and scenic value, an eagle nesting tree, and scattered, huge old-growth “veteran” Douglas-fir and redcedar trees. Local citizens called Friends of Stillwater Bluffs, are pushing the Powell River Regional District and the provincial government to assist in funding the area’s purchase. Since 2007, Island Timberlands has had a proposal to subdivide the industrial land around Stillwater Bay, but the project has stalled for many reasons.

Photography by TJ Watt

For more info and to help the campaign, contact the Friends of Stillwater Bluffs at [email protected] or visit https://fosb.blogspot.ca/

Sign the online petition to protect BC’s old-growth forests and forestry jobs at www.AncientForestPetition.com