“Our lives begin to end the moment we become silent about the things that matter to us.” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Hamilton Marsh has mattered to this area for more than 30 years ... and still we want it protected.
Parksville Qualicum Beach News Trust giving $200,000 to help save marsh
By Fred Davies - Parksville Qualicum Beach News
Published: September 11, 2008 7:00 PM
Advocates, who for years have been seeking to protect Hamilton Marsh as park, are cautiously optimistic on news of a $200,000 contribution towards the cause from the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation. (See News Article)
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Marsh owner in no hurry
Published: September 25, 2008 7:00 PM
OCEANSIDE — There’s a bevy of conservationists waiting eagerly in the wings but the president of the timber company that owns Hamilton Marsh and surrounding area said a coalition seeking to purchase the 90 acre wetlands for protection will have to wait a little longer.
Negotiations between Island Timberlands and prospective buyers that include the Regional District of Nanaimo and Ducks Unlimited Canada broke down one year ago in November after the timber company said it needed more time to conduct a land analysis review.
(See news article)
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Parksville Qualicum Beach News Hamilton Marsh subject of conservation filmBy Fred Davies - Parksville Qualicum Beach News
Published: September 25, 2008 7:00 PM
Already receiving attention for its ecological values under threat of logging, Hamilton Marsh and its surrounding forest is liable to gain even wider recognition.
That’s because three local filmmakers have entered a film about the wetlands into a Discovery Channel competition.
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February 2008: “The status at this time is we turned down an offer from Ducks Unlimited, but the door is not closed with them or with other conservation organizations,” she said. “It was a matter of timing for us.” (See News Article)
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January 2008: Carole James calls for Hamilton Marsh protection. "I don't think there's any question," James said when asked if the wetland should be saved from future development. "If you take a look at the ecosystem and take a look at its importance, I don't think there's any question. If you look at the area around, the pressure is huge. Most of it has been eaten away already...” (See News Article)
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October 2007: Island Timberlands breaks off negotiations with Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Regional District of Nanaimo, on the purchase of Hamilton Marsh and surrounding forest lands. (See News Article)
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The Friends of French Creek Conservation Society (FFCCS) Sends Open Letter to Island Timberlands:
Location: Hamilton Marsh is located just minutes from the Town of Qualicum Beach. Instructions: Driving from Qualicum Beach - travel straight out Memorial Drive towards the new highway. (Memorial Drive becomes Hwy 4 to Port Alberni.) Drive under Hwy 19 and keep going straight. Turn right at the bottom of the first hill onto Hilliers Rd. S. Drive 1.1 km into the parking lot on the left side of the road. This is the quickest trail in. Otherwise, the first more challenging trail is located at the junction of Hwy. 4 and Hilliers Rd. S. (See Map).
Features: Children, seniors, naturalists and birdwatchers have long enjoyed the area. Hamilton Marsh is the largest water bird brood marsh on this part of the island and it’s the largest body of water in the French Creek Watershed. The woods surrounding it are also home to many red and blue listed species. Area residents and various NGO’s have waged many battles to have it converted to park land within the last thirty years and the most recent efforts of Ducks Unlimited and the Regional District of Nanaimo have been rejected for now.
This beautiful wetland is 3 kilometers long and 1/2 kilometer wide. It is the largest wetland between Nanaimo, Cumberland, and Port Alberni and is surrounded by second growth forest.
Size: The area of interest (360.5 hectares) is defined as the area contained between the connector road, Hilliers Rd. S., and the Railway Tracks. The wetland itself is 36.7 hectares.
Ownership: Hamilton Marsh is Privately owned:
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1958
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- MacMillan Bloedel
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1999
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- Weyerhaeuser
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2005
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- Brascan* took ownership and created Island Timberlands
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*Brascan is now known as Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. Island Timberlands is a subsidiary of Brookfield and is listed as the owner of this land. We are pleased that Hamilton Marsh remains accessible to the public on a “use at your own risk” basis.
