COMMUNITY

Community FEATURE RESIDENT

Terry Nelson

by KRISTA TURCASSO

Many years ago, Terry Nelson came into our office and asked if we could help him publish a book. We had recently published the Fernie Mountain Bike Guide… written by me and designed and laid out by my partner in crime, Vanessa. Terry wanted something similar but hike-specific using the information he had been compiling for years. It was an enthusiastic ‘yes,’ we gave him some direction, and didn’t hear back from him until 2018. The Fernie Trails and Natural Plant Compendium was published early the following year.

This spring, the book was updated and reprinted as it had sold out! And now Terry is working on his newest book which shares his love and passion for big trees.

I’ve known Terry for some time, as his wife Laura was instrumental in my discovery of mountain biking and Terry would often join us on our rides. These adventures are etched in my memory, as Terry would provide historical and environmental context as well as comment on the flora and fauna along the way. I also had the opportunity to volunteer alongside him on the Fernie Trails Alliance board, and his vision and passion for the mountains and trails is inspiring.

So, just how did Terry grow into this mountain biking, trail loving, tree-hugging author?

While Terry was born in Victoria, he has lived all over Canada as his dad worked in industrial supplies and would create businesses where big projects were underway. In 1978, they moved from Calgary to Fernie where he finished his last two years of high school. Terry’s extended family lived in the Kootenay region and Kaiser Coal was expanding, so it was a good fit. One of Terry’s good friends was Cam Kennedy, and he met his future wife Laura Kennedy one summer when she was home from University. “Laura has a different story, but I was in pursuit,” he tells me. “Laura says she picked me out of the crowd at the grand march and everything else is history!” Laura had plans to travel with a friend throughout Australia and New Zealand, and when that friend backed out Terry stepped in. “We travelled for a year together, it was true test of a relationship,” he says with a laugh. They moved in together when they returned, renting Terry’s stepfather’s house on 6th Ave. “Ryland was born in 1985, we got married in 1986 and then we moved to Vancouver where I went to school for Surveying.”

Their second son, Luke was born in 1988 during Terry’s second year and he remembers it being difficult for the family. “Two young kids, me in school as a mature

Laura Nelson Photo

student. It was tough times and we were both struggling,” he shares.

After graduating, Terry was offered a job with Shell Tech developing GPS receivers. He moved to Calgary for work, and Laura moved home to have the family support. Fortunately, Terry got a great position with the City of Fernie as an Engineer Tech where he worked until he recently retired.

Growing up, Terry remembers camping as a family every weekend “somewhere in the bush.” Living in Fernie as an adult, Terry says everyone goes out into the forest to bike, hike or walk. “It has always been a normal thing for me!” When out hiking or exploring, Terry says they have an appreciation and take the time to immerse themselves in their environment. “We take a bit extra, absorbing the moment and letting it penetrate. If you move through too quickly, and carry onto the next thing, it doesn’t have time to percolate into your system,” he adds.

While out adventuring, he noticed the trails had evolved and that there weren’t resources for the hiking community. “Fernie was on the cusp of breaking into the tourist world, and I had the knowledge,” he says. “I saw the mountain bike book and I was inspired by that.” Terry’s goal wasn’t to make money, but to share his knowledge. “It came down to me having a collection of photos and taking it from there. The plant compendium on the other hand was a whole bunch of research,” he tells me. “When people comment on the book, and how their son loves looking up the plants while they’re hiking, it’s a great compliment.”

Over the last year or so, Terry and Laura have been doing a lot of hikes and Terry began posting images of the big trees they’ve discovered with a little story about the significance of its location, its size and age, and even information on the flora on and around it. The response was enthusiastic and immediate.

“There’s been lots of Old Growth Forest stuff in the media the last four to five years. The Ministry of Forests established criteria that would save trees by creating a buffer around them, but it pertained to coastal sized trees. My imagination started going… how big are the trees in the interior?” Terry says. “I would go find big trees and measure to compare. I measured the third largest Interior Douglas Fir in BC beside the Elk River… and the size of it wouldn’t qualify – it would get cut down. It has no standing on this list. It started me off on this larger journey of discovery… go find other species of trees in the interior and it just blossomed from there.”

Terry uses the UBC Big Tree Registry, which is online and a public domain. “People have nominated these trees, and I was looking at those tables and measuring trees that fit right in. There are a lot of big trees in the Fernie area!”

Going on these big tree hunts is strenuous. Terry hears about a big tree, and often it’s not along a trail and takes navigating up mountains and into the woods on uneven ground to get there. “It may not be easy, but it’s an adventure,” he says. And I can tell he’s up for the challenge.

While Terry says he’s always been a biker first, he has thoroughly enjoyed working on the content for his big tree book (set to publish in 2022) and feels that a publication like this could, “create a broader awareness of the importance of these old growth forests to the general public and provide an opportunity for people to expand and have these experiences. That’s what makes the world a better place.”

But where Terry feels he has gained the most is how this experience has expanded his network of friends and acceptance of like-minded people. “I am invited into the homes of the people who are the protectors of the environment.”

Thank you, Terry. For continuing to inspire us to discover and take in the beauty of the natural world around us.

1. When did you first arrive in the Valley and what brought you here?

I came in 1977 on a ski holiday with my parents to check out Fernie.

2. Who did you first meet?

Dave O’Haire.

3. Do you remember your first general impression of Fernie?

It was a bit of a greaser town. I was a big tall blonde surf kid, and I was a bit scared. I had to fight a lot.

4. What keeps you here?

Friends, family and forests. The three F’s.

5. Do you have a favourite Fernie pastime?

I would have to say gardening.

6. What time of the year do you love most in Fernie, and why?

I like the fall the most, I like crisp mornings and golden larches. And I also like the deciduous component of the forests in Fernie that make up the mosaic.

7. Where do you see or hope to see Fernie in five years?

I don’t anticipate very much change in five years. I would say in ten years things will be a lot different. I hope that all of the baby boomers who are retiring and moving here all participate in the community and help to make it a better place.

8. How do you start your day or what is one of your daily rituals?

I get up at 5am in the summer and have two cups of coffee and currently, work on my book then have breakfast.

9. Tell us something people might be surprised to learn about you.

I used to have blonde hair!

10. Quote to live by: If you listen close enough, everything has a story to share!

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ELK VALLEY FURNITURE

SHOP SELECTION SHOP PRICE SHOP LOCAL STUDIO

JOIN US THIS SUMMER AT THE BRICKHOUSE

A GREAT PLACE TO CHILL AFTER A DAY ON THE TRAILS

• Featuring a 100% BC only wine list and beer on tap • Open 7 days a week, 11:30am to close • We follow COVID protocols, your safety is important to us • Check out our menu here:

thebrickhousefernie.com 401 2nd Ave, Historic Downtown Fernie • 250.423.0009

Summer Days Are Here!

Quality, outdoor patio furniture now available

441C 2nd Avenue. Fernie BC | 250-423-0560 | info@evfurniturestudio.com

The purpose of the Communities of Interest Advisory Initiative is to foster dialogue and communication between the four coal operations and community representatives within their area of influence.

Ancient Discovery

Ancient civilizations learned of the benefits of using copper in medicinal preparations and transporting water in copper vessels. In today’s COVID-19 world, the fact that copper has antimicrobial properties that kill 99.9% of germs within two hours of contact is vastly important. Check out: www.vch.ca/about-us/news/the-resultsare-in-copper-kills-up-to-99-9-of-bacteria-on-transit-surfaces

www.evcnpvoice.com

Community CITY CORNER

Animal Responsibility Bylaw

by ANGE QUALIZZA

Last night I couldn’t have been more thrilled that we adopted a new Animal Responsibility Bylaw. It might not sound exciting, but I can assure you our bylaw officers have been looking forward to June 14 (yesterday) for quite some time!

The previous bylaw was challenging to use because it included breed-specific legislation and had no distinction between a dog at large and an aggressive dog. Which meant that our bylaw officers were lacking a tool that could really assist them.

Unlike the previous bylaw, Animal Responsibility Bylaw 2436 is modelled after the BC SPCA’s bylaws that promotes a tiered approach for aggressive, vicious and dangerous dogs. This means -that through reporting- a problem dog might move up the ladder with repeat offences to be known as a dangerous dog that has a financial penalty associated with this consequence. With the old bylaw, there was no distinction for aggressive dogs.

City of Fernie Bylaw Enforcement Officer Camille Neal says, “This modernized Animal Responsibility Bylaw includes regulations that help to better protect the welfare of our community’s animals and hold dog owners more accountable for preventing aggressive incidents. It also helps promote a more thoughtful and considerate approach to sharing the community’s trails, parks, and open spaces so that all members of the community can enjoy everything Fernie has to offer.”

The community can expect a robust threemonth education campaign to support this new bylaw, so the community is well educated about the changes. After the educational campaign, we will move into enforcement of the new bylaw. Having a modernized Animal Responsibility Bylaw with associated fees, charges and MTI penalties will allow for an opportunity to protect the wellbeing of the animals in our community, and to implement regulations that will hold dog owner’s more accountable for their animals, and improve the safety of our community and its citizens.

Reporting incidents is critical to the success of this new program and will help keep our community better protected. Please don’t hesitate to report, it’s important that we work together to make our trails and parks safe for everyone.

To Report a Bylaw Violation, you can email bylawservices@fernie.ca or by phone at 250-423 2244.

Photo by Cass from Barkside, Model: Nash

“[This modernized Animal Responsibility] ...helps promote a more thoughtful and considerate approach to sharing the community’s trails, parks, and open spaces so that all members of the community can enjoy everything Fernie has to offer.”

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Recreation and Outdoor Life BACKYARD ADVENTURES

Vehicle Accessible Local Campsites

by DANYAL TAYLOR

Danyal Taylor Photo

Originally from New Zealand, camping has been a family favourite since I was a toddler. We would leave with great stories; one of the most memorable is watching a pod of dolphins surf the waves at the beach.

In this month of “Backyard Adventures,” we are going to cover some beautiful camping spots close to Fernie. Camping is a great way to get out into the wild and explore the outdoors. Tick off these excellent areas this summer with friends or family, each accessible by a car with reasonable clearance i.e. Subaru or bigger.

Now before heading out, I would highly recommend downloading an offline map app as a backup. Gaia or MapOut will do the trick and All Trails for hikes. Google Maps is not updated with all of the forest roads and you can get easily lost!

“Camping is a great way to get out into the wild and explore the outdoors. Tick off these excellent areas this summer...each accessible by a car with reasonable clearance...”

Visit sitesandtrailsbc.ca to view more information for directions and site amenities.

Bull River (free) Est. 1-1.5hrs from Fernie.

This place has it all for the angler looking to experience the best of what a worldclass river fishery can offer, or the family looking for an easy getaway into the mountains. Bull River is mostly untouched due to limited access sealing in the natural beauty. Forest roads follow the river upstream, however, there are no dedicated recreation sites along the river. Instead, you’ll have to pick one of the many pulloffs and find a site to set up camp. If you are lucky someone may have built a toilet and tables. It is an easy drive, and you will not be disappointed.

Summer Lake (free) Est. 2hrs from Fernie. Tables, Toilets.

Summer Lake is my favourite place to camp and is one of the ultimate getaway camping destinations. The road in follows the Bull River, then branches off into the heart of the mountains until you reach the lake. There are three lake-front camping areas but beware, it can fill up quickly! Take your paddleboard, canoe, or float and spend the day on the lake exploring the shoreline and relaxing. There are several hiking opportunities accessible from the area (Ruault Lake or Fish Lake).

Lower Harvey Creek / Flathead (free) Est. 1.5hrs from Fernie. Tables, Toilets.

This one takes you Southeast of Fernie through Morrissey and over Harvey Pass. The Flathead River Valley is abundant with an incredible diversity of species including Bighorn Sheep, Moose, Elk, and all kinds of fish. It is bear country so be bear aware! The Flathead is known for being one of the greatest ecological areas in North America with its watersheds protected from exploitative industry. There are hundreds of kilometers of forest roads, lakes, mountains, and rec sites to explore. I’d recommend visiting Lower Harvey Creek for a weekend then come back to explore, once you are familiar with the area.

Loon Lake Rec Site ($14/night) Est. 50 minutes. Boat Launch (electric), Tables, Toilets, Wharf.

A beautiful, child-friendly lake located close to Fernie. It has all the amenities for an easy weekend getaway.

Others close to Fernie (free)

Burton Lake, Coal Creek, Hartley Lake Road, Sulphur Creek Rec Site. Alternative:

Top of the World / Fish Lake ($5 night/person) – Hiking

Est. 2.5 hrs drive + 1.5 hr hike. Tables, Toilets, Firewood.

If you are looking for a simple trip to get into backcountry hiking, I would highly recommend Fish Lake. BC Parks does an incredible job at keeping this spot well maintained. The tent pads, firewood, and bathrooms are top-notch. I loved visiting Fish Lake because it was an amazing hike in and the journey made you feel like you were in the wilderness. There are several beautiful hikes from Fish Lake. Set up camp, drop the backpack, and take a smaller day-pack to explore these trails. You can also bike to the lake if you are feeling extra adventurous.

When backcountry hiking, ensure you take out what you bring in, and if camping you have appropriate food storage and know-how to properly dispose of human waste.

NEW! Open Thursday-Saturday evenings until 9pm for happy hour cocktails and snacks!

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Recreation and Outdoor Life HITTING THE TRAILS

Trail News and Trail Dogs

by JULIE KELLY, FTA

We want to help you discover what’s new with the Fernie Trails Alliance (FTA). The big news is that we have a paid Trail Crew and Supervisor for the summer! This was made possible thanks to the Columbia Basin Trust Job Experience Trail Crew Program. Please welcome Haydan Mobbs as Trail Crew Supervisor and our Trail Crew members including Nicole Foster, Luke Macdonald, Jane Johnson and Scott Gerecke.

Our team will be working closely with our Trail Manager and volunteers to assist with day-to-day operations, using mobile data collection technology, trail maintenance, trail building, maintaining FTA tools and equipment, and assisting with FTA events.

Trail Dogs

Time: Approx. 1.5 hrs Distance: Approx. 10km Difficulty: Black/Blue

If you are looking to discover a new trail, the recently completed Trail Dogs is a must!

This new 650m extension to Contra was built in an easier, more family friendly fashion. It is already the talk of the town by locals and visitors.

You can access the route by taking Coal Creek Heritage Trail off Coal Creek Road. Head up Rifle Range Road for a bit of a grunt of a climb but well worth it! Continue to stay right on the road until you see the entrance to Contra. Enjoy this flow trail hitting the various tables and berms. Once you drop into Trail Dogs it’s an easier version of Contra with the same fun factor and style. Or, for a shorter ride and for the young ones, stop at the top of Trail Dogs off Rifle Range Road! Have fun out there and ride smart – remember to always Pre-Ride, Re-ride and then Free-ride. Submitted Photo

“If you are looking to discover a new trail, the recently completed Trail Dogs is a must!”

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