The Heritage Forest - Qualicum Beach

An Ancient Oceanside Gem

by Dawn Hunter Clark

Step back in time, meander along paths of shaded beauty and history, in present time.

In Qualicum Beach, close to the town centre, is a hidden oasis where you feel far from the rest of the world. That magical place is the Heritage Forest.

Located along Crescent Road East, behind the historic Crown Mansion Boutique Hotel, the Heritage Forest is fifty acres of woodland, with Western Red Cedar, Grand Fir, Sitka Spruce, Hemlock and 400-year old Coastal Douglas Fir. The forest is home to a variety of endangered and rare plant species, such as the Indian Pipe Monotropa, which is used as a western herbal medicine for ailments like ulcers, epilepsy and helps calm nerves. It also has many animals and birds like deer, the Barred Owl, rabbits, the Pileated Woodpecker and on occasion, otters and cougars! Beach Creek that runs through the forest bears Coho Salmon as well.

It is a place that has existed for thousands of years. A place of beauty and history. It is also the sacred land of the Coastal Salish people. A place that has been important to so many, it is now protected to keep this treasure alive and beautiful.

The Heritage Forest was known previously, and for a long while, as the Brown Property. R.A. Brown, an oil tycoon from Alberta, and his wife Genevieve bought the property in 1952 from Major Lowry, who lived next door.

The forest was their back yard and in the centre of the forest they cleared some trees to construct a barn for their horses and a paddock for them to graze.

A lovely thought it is, of the Brown family strolling from their mansion, through the thick woods, to a clearing where their horses stayed.

The Brown family enjoyed their forested backyard for over forty years. Mr. Brown passed away in the early seventies. Mrs. Brown stayed on the property for over twenty more years.

In the mid 1990s, the property was put up for sale. The forest was at risk of being developed and disappearing forever.

Residents in the area discovered plans to cut the forest down to build homes. Passionate about the forest and the neighbourhood, the town residents came together to save the forest. Together, in 1996, they formed the Brown Property Preservation Society. The society was formed to raise funds to purchase the property and to protect it from development.

Hundreds of volunteers dedicated their time and hearts to saving the forest. They held several events for donations and were able to convince the Town of Qualicum to put in the remaining balance. The town used 10% of their park reserves to help save the forest, which was substantial. After the effort of so many residents of Qualicum Beach the forest of the Brown Property was saved from extinction.

In 2001, what was known as the ‘Brown Property’ became known as the ‘Heritage Forest’. At that time, the Heritage Forest Commission was formed to maintain and protect the forest. Protection of the forest has been secured by a Conservation Covenant that is designed to maintain the forest as an ecological reserve for everyone, forever. It was successfully executed in 2008.

The Heritage Forest Commission wants everyone to enjoy the forest forever. To ensure its health, the commission created guidelines when strolling along the paths under the canopy. The guidelines for the Heritage Forest are:

• Stay on the trails.

• Do not damage or destroy any plant or animal life.

• Keep pets on a leash and under control. Pick up all droppings.

• Motorized vehicles and horses are prohibited.

• No alcohol, smoking, campfires or overnight camping.

For any information on the Heritage Forest contact the Heritage Forest Commission by telephone - (250)752-6921 or by email – qbtown@ qualicumbeach.com

Tom Whitfield, the President of the Brown Property Preservation Society started a program involving the Heritage Forest to help save bats on the island. Bats all along the west coast of North America are declining in numbers due to a fungus called White-Nose Syndrome. Tom wanted to help protect the bats as they are crucial in helping keep insect numbers where they should be. He commissioned Chris Treadwell to build two bat houses. They were completed and installed on the clearing where the Brown horses once pranced around. It is another example of how the Heritage Forest continues to be used for a positive purpose and an exciting element now part of the forest’s story.

The Heritage Forest is a place that holds so much history, both natural and cultural. It has a beauty that is unsurpassed. It is a magical place to collect your thoughts, walk with your dog, experience trees and plant life from hundreds of years ago, yet still feel miles away from everything, all five minutes from the centre of town.

And there are other treasures to be found in the Heritage Forest. In the clearing where the Brown’s horses grazed, you will come across a rhododendron bush that Mrs. Brown planted over sixty years ago. And as some tales have been told, if you look closely and listen well, you may experience the fairies that have called the Heritage Forest home since the beginning of time.

All the wonders of the Heritage Forest are yours to discover in a place that is – Historically Oceanside.