A new, Vancouver Island-shot documentary aims to inform people about a sensitive ecosystem in Parksville.
It highlights the Englishman River areaB次元官网网址檚 different ecosystems, along with resident plant and animal species.
The film also includes local experts and members of the Greig Greenway Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of the land.
Taryn Pickard said she has enjoyed the area for approximately 12 years, using it for dog walking, photography and simply experiencing nature.
She filmed Saving Englishman River Lands: A Jewel in the City during a week last spring.
B次元官网网址淲hen I heard they were trying to rezone,B次元官网网址� Pickard said. B次元官网网址淢y heart sank because itB次元官网网址檚 an important piece of land for us as individuals, but this is such an important piece of the ecosystem and the river system.B次元官网网址�
She and other members of the society are concerned about issues such as flooding, drought and spawning fish such as salmon and trout.
The property at 1465 Greig Rd. was slated for an 800-unit residential development before Parksville city council voted down a third reading of bylaws that would have permitted the development. More than 300 people turned out, mainly opposed to the development, for a public hearing in February 2023.
Pickard was introduced to the society while its members were doing regular public outreach and education. She decided to use her skills as a professional photographer and videographer to help the cause.
B次元官网网址淚t was my gift to this piece of land that had given so much to me,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淎nd also to the people that were working hard to stop it from being developed, to create a documentary that was going to be able to be presented to people with as much information as we could get.B次元官网网址�
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She finished filming in May and was fortunate to complete the project shortly before the privately-owned property was fenced off from the public.
The society hopes to some day work with an organization such as BC Parks or The Nature Trust of BC to acquire and preserve the land, which connects Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park with Top Bridge Regional Park, according to Linda Harbo, president.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been able to try to partner up with our Indigenous Nations, with our government officials and our city councillors to have some really meaningful conversations,B次元官网网址� Harbo said.
The society has spoken with both George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, and Fin Donnelly, Parliamentary Secretary for Watershed Restoration.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e had some really good conversations at a higher level about our concerns,B次元官网网址� Harbo said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e getting higher density in Parksville and people are utilizing parks more than theyB次元官网网址檝e ever been, so it would be nice to extend that piece of property into parkland because itB次元官网网址檚 sandwiched between the two parks already.B次元官网网址�
The documentary debuted at a well-attended screening in Parksville on Jan. 26, along with two short films by the Hamilton Wetlands and Forest Preservation Society and Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute.
A second viewing is scheduled for Feb. 20 at the Parksville Community Centre (223 Mills St.) from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and there will be an opportunity to ask questions. The film is also available on Youtube at .
