While it might not have the same profile as the Royal Roads property in Colwood, Mary Hill in Metchosin is another piece of Department of National Defence land with a long and rich history.
A piece of the property has also been declared surplus, meaning the land could become a part of a First Nations treaty process in the not-too-distant future, similar to what is happening with the Royal Roads lands now.
Perhaps with that in mind, the Association for the Protection of Rural Metchosin is hosting a presentation next Wednesday, April 19 on the history and ecology of the 400-acre coastal property.
Metchosinite Chris Pratt, one of two presenters on the evening along with Todd Manning, will focus on the history of the land, which has been mostly off-limits to the public for decades.
In the propertyB次元官网网址檚 early history, First Nations groups would roast the bulbs of flowers and store them for the winter.
B次元官网网址淚t was also a First Nations practice to set fire to the whole of the land in the fall B次元官网网址� that kept the invasive weeds down and kept it as a sort of open meadow land,B次元官网网址� Pratt explained.
The Weir family, led by patriarch Robert, immigrated to the area in 1852 and eventually used the land around Mary Hill for sheep grazing because of its meadow-like properties. B次元官网网址淚t was just a beautiful spot,B次元官网网址� Pratt said.
That beauty is what makes it an important piece of land for the region, he added.
B次元官网网址淭he sea is on both sides B次元官网网址� youB次元官网网址檝e got everything from octopus in the ocean and eagles on top of the hill. ThereB次元官网网址檚 not many places where you have that sort of (connectivity),B次元官网网址� he said, noting that rare plants and snakes have also been found in the area.
Given that itB次元官网网址檚 DND land, itB次元官网网址檚 no surprise that Mary Hill also has an extensive military history, starting during the Second World War.
According to Pratt, three six-inch diameter guns placed there served as part of the militaryB次元官网网址檚 coastal defense and nearby lookouts kept watch for incoming ships. The site hasnB次元官网网址檛 been actively used for military purposes since at least the 1990s.
Metchosin Mayor John Ranns isnB次元官网网址檛 sure whether Mary Hill is within the confines of any treaty negotiations, but said the District has expressed to Beecher Bay First Nation that it would like to see it become a regional park should DND dispose of it.
B次元官网网址淚t is some of the most beautiful environmental property. ItB次元官网网址檚 very unusual and itB次元官网网址檚 got very high environmental value,B次元官网网址� Ranns said.
The presentation starts at 7 p.m. April 19 at Metchosin Community House at 4430 Happy Valley Rd. and refreshments will be served following the discussions.
