WA L K I N G I N T H E I R F O O T S T E P S
MOUNT ARROWSMITH BIOSPHERE RESERVE The Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Foundation was
200, and is a federally-protected species at risk. In 2018,
established in 1996 by research scientist, Dr. Glen Ja-
Kuth-KahChulth/Mount Arrowsmith was home to the
mieson, to raise awareness of the biodiversity of wa-
largest colony of these Marmots in the Nanaimo Lakes
tersheds on Vancouver Island’s Mount Arrowsmith and
area, although new colonies were found in Strathcona
adjacent marine areas. The Mount Arrowsmith Bio-
Provincial Park in 2021.
sphere Region (MABR) was officially designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 2000. Bordered by the
The massif is an area of alpine, not very well connect-
Cameron / Little Qualicum and Englishman River, the
ed with other Island alpine areas, and has many species
area surrounds the Arrowsmith Massif. Nuu-chah-nulth
of plant life that are rare. In 1915, the only Lewisia Pyg-
from the Alberni area originally named this moun-
maea ever found on Vancouver Island was found on Ar-
tain "Kuth-KahChulth" which translates to "that which
rowsmith's slopes—which was then rediscovered in 2008.
has sharp pointed faces." In the mid-1800s, English settlers called it Arrowsmith after two cartographers, Aaron Arrowsmith and his nephew John Arrowsmith. Early settlers on the east side of the mountain referred to it as "The Sleeping Maiden", for its profile at sunset that resembles a reclining woman. The mountain and its surroundings are home to cougar, deer, wolves, bear and elk. On the high ridges white tailed ptarmigan can be found blending in perfectly with their surroundings. Many of these animals are rare, endan-
There is archaeological evidence that Indigenous peoples went up into the Island mountains to hunt marmots. Several First Nations count the height of land of Arrowsmith as the border of their traditional land areas. The Arrowsmith massif has been attracting visitors since the late 1800s. One of the first written accounts was in 1887, when John Macoun, Naturalist to Geological Survey, Assistant Director and Dominion Botanist, and a small team made a trip up the massif. Professor Macoun men-
gered, and known only to Vancouver Island.
tions in his account the views to the Pacific Ocean, but
The Vancouver Island marmot is one of the rarest mam-
from Cokely or Barkley Sound that can be seen from the
mals on the planet with an estimated population of
main summit of Arrowsmith. Another well documented
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it's not clear if he is referring to the Alberni Canal as seen
W W W. C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E . C A
