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TRANSCRIPT
M
BACKGROUND REPORT
for Francis Point
Provincial Park and
Ecological Reserve
ANAGEMENT
P
LAN
Ministry of Environment,
Environmental Stewardship
Division
3
Francis Point Provincial Park and
Ecological Reserve
Prepared by
Lower Mainland Region
Environmental Stewardship Division
Background
Report
Table of Contents
Page
Introduction 1
Park Location and Setting 1
Park Establishment and Legislation 1
Management Direction from Land Agreements 5
Natural Values 7
Climate 7
Geology & Soils 7
Water 8
Biogeoclimatic Zone and Ecoregion Representation 8
Vegetation and Forest Cover 11
Rare and Sensitive Plant Communities 13
Wildlife 14
Adjacent Marine Values 16
Cultural Values 18
First Nations 18
Non-aboriginal 20
Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Values 22
Outdoor Recreation Features 22
Visual Values 23
Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Opportunities 23
Existing Facilities and Services 23
Visitor Activity Areas 24
Park Visitor Profiles 24
Visitor Use Trends: Past; Present; Future 24
Land Tenures, Occupancy Rights and Resource Uses 26
Tenures, Rights and Resource Uses in the Protected Area 26
First Nations Interests 26
Patterns of Land Use Next to the Protected Area 26
BC Parks Operations 28
Operations Infrastructure and Facilities 28
Key Management Issues 29
Bibliography 33
Appendices
Appendix 1 - Plant Lists Compiled by Terry Taylor and Hans Roemer
Appendix 2 – Map of Traditional Use Sites in the Pender Harbour Area
6
List of Figures Page
Figure 1: Regional Context Map 2
Figure 2: Park Map 3
Figure 3: Legal Map 4
Figure 4: Surficial Geology Map 9
Figure 5: Slope and Soils Map 10
Figure 6: Forest Cover Map 12
Figure 7: Archaeological Sites Map 19
Glossary of Acronyms
CDC British Columbia Conservation Data Centre
CWH xm Very Dry Maritime Subzone of the Coastal Western Hemlock
Biogeoclimatic Zone
FPMPS Francis Point Marine Park Society
GEL Georgia Lowland Ecosection
NCC The Nature Conservancy of Canada
OCP Official Community Plan
SCRD Sunshine Coast Regional District
SIB Sechelt Indian Band
SOG Strait of Georgia Ecosection
TNT The Nature Trust of British Columbia
INTRODUCTION
This report provides natural, cultural and recreation information to support the development of a
management plan for the Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve. The report relies
on existing information sources, including discussions with knowledgeable people and a brief
site reconnaissance conducted on August 21, 2001.
Park Location and Setting
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve are located approximately 35 km north-
west of Sechelt in Pender Harbour on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast (Figure 1). The 72.80
ha Park is situated on the south-west portion of Beaver Island, known as Francis Peninsula, and
is bounded on the north-west by a 10.30 ha parcel retained by the McQuarrie family, on the north
by residential properties, on the east by residential properties and forested land and on the west
and south by Malaspina Strait. The 9.22 ha Ecological Reserve located on Moore Peninsula
adjoins the Park on the Park’s western boundary north of Francis Bay (Figure 2).
Park Establishment and Legislation
The McQuarrie family owned the Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve property from1911
to 2001. Other than a single residence and small portions of the property that were selectively
logged over 50 years ago, the property was never developed. In the late 1990’s, the McQuarrie
family expressed their desire to sell the property for conservation purposes, with the exception of
the north-west corner upon which the small residence is located. BC Parks was interested in the
property, but the original offer by the McQuarries to the Ministry of Environment, Lands and
Parks in 1998 was not completed due to lack of funds. Subsequently the McQuarries placed the
property on the open market. The Francis Point Marine Park Society (FPMPS) was incorporated
in 1998 to promote acquisition of the McQuarrie property for park use. The property was
evaluated by Conservation Data Centre (CDC) staff in the summer of 1999 and a Site Record
developed for the property which identified the occurrence of rare-listed plant associations (BC
Conservation Data Centre, 2000). An offer on the property by a private developer was accepted
in 1999 to log the land and develop it. In the spring of 2000, the deal collapsed. The Nature
Conservancy of Canada (NCC) working with the local Francis Point Marine Park Society started
raising funds to purchase the property and were able to secure a significant donation from the
U.S. based Paul G. Allen Forest Protection Foundation. With additional funds acquired through
the Private Forest Biodiversity Program, a partnership between Forest Renewal BC and The
Nature Trust of British Columbia (TNT), NCC, in conjunction with TNT, were able to negotiate
the purchase of the property for conservation.
The property was subdivided into three lots. Lot 1, a 72.80 ha parcel owned by TNT, will be a
Provincial Park under a 99 year lease between BC Parks and TNT. Lot 3, a 9.22 ha parcel owned
by NCC, will be designated as an Ecological Reserve under a 99 year lease between BC Parks
and NCC. Lot 2, a 10.30 ha parcel was retained by the McQuarrie family and is currently subject
to a further subdivision into seven lots with an additional parcel designated as a Regional Park
adjoining the Ecological Reserve (Figure 3).
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
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Figure 1. Regional Context Map
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
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Figure 2. Park Map
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
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Figure 3. Legal Map
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
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The Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve is scheduled for designation by Order-
In-Council in 2002 (Diane Moen, Manager Land Assembly Program, BC Parks pers. com.).
Management Direction from Land Agreements
Management direction for the Park and Ecological Reserve are derived from several legal
documents that were conditional to the purchase and subdivision of the Francis Point property
originally owned by the McQuarrie family. The intent of the covenants and lease agreements is
to ensure that the property owned by TNT and NCC is managed by BC Parks to conserve the
biodiversity values of the site and representation of the Very Dry Maritime Subzone of the
Coastal Western Hemlock (CWH xm1) biogeoclimatic zone.
Park
Section 219 Covenant charging Lot 1 for Park Use
The covenant states that the use of Lot 1 (i.e. the Park) will be for wildlife habitat and
environmental enhancement purposes and for recreational, educational and scientific uses
appropriate to such purposes. The land is not to be developed, improved or altered except in
conformity with such purposes. It is noted that on-site parking will be provided in accordance
with a park use plan.
Lease with Right of Renewal charging Lot 1
A 99 year lease with a right of renewal for an additional 99 year term between TNT (lessor) and
BC Parks (lessee) instructs that BC Parks agrees to use, manage and develop the land only as a
day use public park under the provisions of the Park Act. BC Parks will not construct a road,
access point or any other access or egress into Lot 1 (i.e. the Park) from the new extension to
Francis Peninsula Road. The Park is to be managed and developed in accordance with a
management plan being developed by BC Parks. TNT has agreed with the owner (i.e. McQuarrie
family) of Lot 2 to consent to the renewal of the water lot lease in the Lagoon adjacent to the
existing residence while the McQuarries are still owners of the associated upland property. BC
Parks as lessee of both Lot 1 (Park) and Lot 3 (Ecological Reserve) also agrees to consent to the
renewal of the water lot lease in the Lagoon adjacent to the existing residence while the
McQuarries are still owners of the associated upland property.
Statutory Right of Way for a water line through the Park in favour of the South Pender Water
District.
The construction of a water line through Lot 1 (i.e. the Park) from the extension of Francis
Peninsula Road to Rondeview Place road at the eastern boundary of the Park was a condition of
the subdivision process (refer to Figure 3). The construction and any future servicing or
maintenance of the line must be conducted in such a manner as to minimize disturbance to the
vegetation and to comply with any recommendations provided by a habitat biologist, consultant
or from the BC Parks District Office.
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
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Ecological Reserve
Section 219 Covenant charging Lot 3 for Ecological Reserve
The covenant states that Lot 3 shall be used as an ecological reserve under the provisions of the
Ecological Reserve Act
Lease with Right of Renewal charging Lot 3
A 99 year lease with a right of renewal for an additional 99 year term between NCC (lessor) and
BC Parks (lessee) instructs that BC Parks agree to use, manage and develop the land only in a
manner that an ecological reserve under the provisions of the Ecological Reserve Act could be
used and developed. The manner in which the land is to be managed and developed will be in
accordance with a management plan being prepared by BC Parks.
Management Endowment Fund
Under the Private Forest Biodiversity Program a management endowment fund is established for
each property acquired under the Program and administered by TNT. Up to 10% of the
acquisition cost comprise the capital amount from which the income earned is used to ensure the
ongoing monitoring and management provisions are in place to protect the biodiversity values of
the property.
It is noted that a partial management endowment fund has been established for the Francis Point
Park and Ecological Reserve. There is an opportunity to top up this fund through fund raising
efforts to ensure effective ongoing management of the biodiversity values of the Park and
Ecological Reserve.
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
7
NATURAL VALUES
Climate
The climate in the area of the Park and Ecological Reserve is classified as “Coastal Temperate”
which typically has warm, dry summers and rainy winters with temperatures that rarely dip
below freezing. With over 1,900 hours of sunshine annually and only eleven days a year that the
temperatures are below 0º C, the Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve is drier and warmer
than average for the biogeoclimatic unit represented on the property (BC Conservation Data
Centre, 2000).
The nearest weather station is located at Merry Island situated south of the site in Welcome
Passage between Sargeant Bay and South Thormanby Island. The records from the Merry Island
Weather Station since 1954 indicates that the average annual rainfall is 995.1 mm, with over half
of it falling in the October to January period. The average annual snowfall is 32.8 mm.
Temperatures are generally mild, with the warmest months being July (daily high 21º C, and
daily low 14.3º C) and August (daily high 21º C and daily low 14.6º C), and the coldest months
being December (daily high 6.5º C and daily low 3.2º C) and January (daily high 6º C and daily
low 2.6º C).
Geology & Soils
The Sunshine Coast falls within the eastern section of the physiographic unit known as the
Georgia Depression, a coastal trough extending from Alaska to the Gulf of California, and
consisting of numerous straits, the Georgia Lowland, and the adjacent Coast Mountains. This
unit is characterized by deep inlets and fjords broken by reaches of long sandy beach.
The Park and Ecological Reserve are situated on a variably foliated portion of the Western
Canada Plutonic Complex, comprised of hornblende quartz to nalite, and hornblendediorite
intrusive to Gravina-Nutzotin rocks (Geological Survey of Canada’s Tectonic Assemblage Map
open file 2948A).
The entire site is bedrock controlled with generally shallow soils and drier than average sites in
this biogeoclimatic zone (BC Conservation Data Centre, 2000).
Park
The topography of the Park is varied, ranging from sea level to approximately 100 meters in
elevation at two hills on the north and south sections of the site. The hills are separated by a low
area in the middle of the property adjacent to Middle Bay. The terrain varies from level, to
gently/moderately undulating, to steep slopes and abrupt drop-offs. The surficial geology of the
Park varies from none (bedrock outcrops) to colluvium, fluvioglacial sediments, to morainal
materials. Over the northern and southern portions of the Park, the associated soils are bedrock
outcrops, Kenworthy (generally 1 metre depth over bedrock), Cannell (shallow to bedrock),
Porpoise (commonly greater than 1 metre depth over bedrock) and lesser occurrences of Eunice
(greater than 10 cm organic material). These areas have limited development capability due to
steep slopes, unstable terrain and shallowness to bedrock. The mid section of the Park from
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
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Middle Bay to the eastern boundary, the soils are primarily Sunshine (variable, but commonly
greater than 1.5 metres thick and overlying fluvioglacial sediments or bedrock). The soils in this
mid section of the Park provide the least constraints to the development of Park facilities. Refer
to Figures 4 and 5 which illustrate the surficial geology and the soils and slopes in the Park
(Sunshine Coast Regional District, 1998 + 2001).
Ecological Reserve
The Ecological Reserve includes Moore Peninsula, and the isthmus joining the north-western
boundary of the Park. The topography ranges from sea level to approximately 20 metres. The
surficial geology of the Ecological Reserve is colluvium which is loosely packed, non-cohesive
and well drained material. Associated soils are Kenworthy (generally 1 metre depth over
bedrock) and Cannell (shallow to bedrock). This area would have limited development capability
due to steep slopes, unstable terrain and shallowness to bedrock. Refer to Figures 4 and 5 which
illustrate the surficial geology and the soils and slopes in the Ecological Reserve (Sunshine Coast
Regional District, 1998 + 2001).
Water
Surface water infiltrates into the ground, as well as following natural drainage patterns, most of
which drain into Malaspina Strait. The outlet of a wetland that straddles the eastern boundary of
the Park just south of Merrill Road is a small creek that drains to Middle Bay (refer to Figure 2).
There is also evidence of a second drainage that discharges into Middle Bay. Groundwater in the
vicinity of the Park is inferred to flow towards Malaspina Strait, adjacent to the west and south.
There is no available potable water in the Park or Ecological Reserve.
Biogeoclimatic Zone and Ecoregion Representation
The Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve are identified in the ecosections Georgia
Lowland (GEL) and Strait of Georgia (SOG) (BC Conservation Data Centre, 2000). Field notes
from the Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory mapping for this area indicates that this site is in the
GEL. As of January 2001, representation of both these ecosections was only between 1 and 4%
protected within provincial parks or ecological reserves.
The Park and Ecological Reserve are mapped as being in the Very Dry Maritime Subzone of the
Coastal Westerm Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone (CWH xm1). This low elevation forest type is
exclusive to the eastern side of Vancouver Island, and to small areas on the Sunshine Coast. Prior
to the establishment of the Francis Point Park and Ecological reserve, the CWH xm1 variant was
only 1.9% protected and thus grossly underrepresented in existing protected areas (Nancy Butler,
LUCO, 2001). This threatened forest type is sensitive to disturbance and in many areas has been
displaced by development along the coast. As a result there are very few examples remaining on
the coast of BC of mature forest stands that represent the CWH xm1 ecosystem variant.
Initial site assessments conducted by Dan Bouman and Andy MacKinnon indicate that this area
may represent a transition between the CWH xm1 and the Moist Maritime Coastal Douglas-Fir
(CDF mm) subzone (Bouman 1997, MacKinnon 1998). However, further site assessment work
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
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Figure 4. Surficial Geology
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
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Figure 5. Slope and Soils
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
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conducted by Hans Roemer, vegetation ecologist with BC Parks, concluded that all the plant
associations on the site are representative of CWH xm1 (Roemer, 2001).
This site offers the opportunity to conserve a relatively undisturbed example of one of B.C.’s
most under-represented biogeoclimatic variants (CWH xm1).
Vegetation and Forest Cover
The vegetation cover is primarily an open canopy coniferous-dominated forest and open moss
covered rocks. The forest cover mapping indicates that a number of the age classes on the
property are over 100 years with a number in the 141 – 250 year class (refer to Figure 6). There
is evidence of past logging in the mid and northern sections of the Park. Hand loggers removed
some of the large diameter Douglas-fir early in the twentieth century (Dan Bouman, 1997) and
the stand was again partially disturbed in the 1940’s (review of 1947 air photos URS-Norecol
Dames & Moore, 2000). A number of centuries-old but not especially large Douglas-fir have
burn scars indicating survival of past forest fires (Sunshine Coast Inventory of Environmentally
Important Sites).
There is a large area of mature second growth, some portions of which are approaching old-
growth, Western Hemlock - Douglas-fir - Oregon Beaked Moss Association. There is also
representation of the Douglas-fir - Lodgepole Pine - Rhacomitrium Association. The dry exposed
sites are treed with Douglas-fir, shore pine and arbutus. A number of trees along the shoreline
appear to be limited in size, possibly through susceptibility to wind-throw on exposed sites with
thin soil layers (Sunshine Coast Inventory of Environmentally Important Sites).
The central depression in the Park between Middle Bay and eastern boundary of the Park is
wetter and forested with Douglas-fir, western red cedar, and western hemlock. In this mesic to
moist area, there is an excellent legacy of old-growth characteristics derived from the original
stand of veteran trees present, which were left standing for quality reasons in the early days of
logging. Stands that now classify as Western Redcedar - Swordfern Association were once
dominated by Douglas-fir as evidenced by old stumps. South-east of Middle Bay these stumps
are enormous, indicating very rich soil conditions and the potential for the second-growth cedars
to grow to impressive dimensions (Roemer, 2001). A two hectare wetland straddles the east
boundary with associated wetland plants. The drainage from the wetland to Middle Bay has
some riparian vegetation including bigleaf maple, alder and willow.
About 20% of the property is not forested because of extreme dry conditions, and rocky
substrates (e.g. rocky shoreline, south and west aspect slopes and hilltops, particularly on the
southern tip of the Park, and around Moore Peninsula in the Ecological Reserve). The open areas
support scattered shrubs, and a carpet of mosses, lichens, wildflowers and grasses. An unusual
grass-moss/lichen community is part of and forms the most sensitive part of the rock outcrop
vegetation. It contains a combination of uncommon grasses that is not found elsewhere in the
Douglas-fir - Lodgepole Pine - Rhacomitrium site series (Roemer, 2001). Refer to Table 2 in
Appendix 1which shows the species combination of this community.
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
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Figure 6. Forest Cover Map
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
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The total species richness is above normal for an area of the size of the Park and Ecological
Reserve. The survey conducted by Hans Roemer and the two surveys completed by Terry Taylor
resulted in a combined number of 161 vascular plants (refer to Table 1 - Appendix 1).
The little evidence of exotic or weedy species on the property was a feature that attracted
conservation interests in acquiring this site. Aggressive non-native species such as Scotch broom,
Himalayan blackberry, orchard grass and sweet vernal grass are very uncommon and Kentucky
bluegrass is completely absent. However, it may be only a matter of time until the most
aggressive species, broom and blackberry, become more dominant and spread at a greater rate. A
challenge will be to manage access and peoples activities to minimize transport of exotic weedy
species into the Park and Ecological Reserve. Refer to Table 3 – Appendix 1 for management
measures for a number of the non-native plant species on the property.
Rare and Sensitive Plant Communities
The Park contains two red-listed (endangered or threatened) and one blue-listed (vulnerable)
plant associations.
Red-listed:
CWH xm1- 01 Western Hemlock - Douglas-fir - Oregon Beaked Moss; and
CWH xm1- 02 Douglas-fir - Lodgepole Pine - Rhacomitrium.
Blue-listed:
CWH xm1- 05 Western Redcedar - Swordfern
Although, there are no tracked plant occurrences on record (Marta Donavan, CDC pers. com.),
the survey conducted in August 2001 noted the presence of the blue-listed dune bentgrass
(Roemer, 2001). Hans Roemer makes special mention of the grass-moss/lichen component of
the CWH xm1- 02 site series, as it contains a combination of uncommon grasses that is not found
elsewhere in the site series. These grasses are the blue-listed dune bentgrass and a native rare
subspecies of red fescue. Two more co-dominant grasses in this community, poverty oatgrass
and western witchgrass are also rather uncommon in such abundance (refer to Table 2 in
Appendix 1 for the species combination of this community). This unusual grass-moss/lichen
community forms the most sensitive part of the rock outcrop vegetation and on the basis of the
August 2001 survey, it is recommended that this rare combination be considered a non-forested
community (Roemer, 2001).
The Ecological Reserve has representation of one of the three rare-listed plant communities and
part of the rare grass-moss/lichen rock outcrop community described above.
To date low human impact has left most of the shallow-soiled, coastal bluffs with intact coverage
of mosses and lichens. This is unique along the inner south coast of BC, since these fragile layers
are readily damaged or destroyed by excessive human traffic. The challenge to maintaining this
intact coastal bluff ecosystem will be managing access by people and other domestic animals.
The informal trails along the bluffs from Middle Bay to the Navigation Aid at the southern tip of
the Park are already starting to show the trampling effect on the mosses and lichens.
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
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Wildlife
No site specific wildlife inventories or bird surveys for the Park and Ecological Reserve were
identified. However, habitat observed on the property, general wildlife use information for the
Pender Harbour area, a bird checklist for the Sunshine Coast and a Raptor/Heron Nest Survey
and Wildlife Bio-Inventory (Robertson Environmental Services Ltd., 2001) for the proposed
subdivision of Lot 2 adjoining the north-west corner of the Park provided information on
probable use by various wildlife species.
The habitats within the Park (coniferous and deciduous forest, a two hectare wetland that
straddles the eastern boundary of the Park south of Merrill Road, a small riparian area along the
drainage from the wetland to Middle Bay, coastal bluffs with intact coverage of mosses and
lichens, numerous intertidal areas, and a small salt marsh at the head of the Lagoon between the
Ecological Reserve and the McQuarrie’s property (i.e. Lot 2) provide for a diversity of habitats
for a variety of species. The largest habitat type in the Park and Ecological Reserve is the mature
second growth forest (primarily coniferous) with a number of old growth elements (e.g. veteran
old growth trees and snags) which provide habitat to a number of species dependent on such
habitat conditions. For example snags, a number of which were observed during the August 21,
2001 site reconnaissance, are used by primary and secondary cavity nesters, insectivorous birds,
small mammals, and bats.
Birds
The forested areas in the Egmont/Pender Harbour area provide resting and over-wintering
environments for migrating birds on the Pacific flyway and year round habitat for non-migrating
species. A total of 35 land bird species have been identified, including various types of woodland
ducks, hawks, grouse, owls, woodpeckers, and passerines such as flycatchers, swallows,
thrushes, vireos, warblers, sparrows and finches (Tony Greenfield as per Sunshine Coast
Regional District Egmont/Pender Harbour Plan Area Technical Background Report). Land bird
species (other than raptors) observed during the December 2000 survey of the proposed seven lot
subdivision of Lot 2 included Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch,
Varied Thrush, American Robin, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Winter
Wren, Spotted Towhee, and Dark-eyed Junco (Robertson Environmental Services Ltd. 2001).
Snags are used by raptors for nesting and perching. An eagle nest has been reported in the past
on the lot north-west of the Park (Federation of BC Naturalists, 1997) and a raptor nest has been
observed along the bluffs between Middle Bay and the Navigation Aid at the southern tip of the
Park (P. Baker, Park Caretaker, pers. com.). No active raptor nests were observed during the
December 2000 survey of Lot 2, however raptor feeding sign was observed along the shoreline
in the Lagoon (Robertson Environmental Services Ltd. 2001). According to the “Birds of the
Sunshine Coast – a Checklist” (Greenfield 1997), a number of raptor and heron species have
been recorded breeding along the Sunshine Coast. From these records, the Francis Point area
may provide nesting habitat for osprey, bald eagle, sharp-shinned hawk, Cooper’s hawk,
northern horned owl, northern pygmy owl and northern saw-whet owl as well as great blue
heron. The December 2000 survey on proposed subdivision of Lot 2 did not observe any of these
species, but judged that the habitat on the site has some potential for the occasional occurrence of
woodland species such as Cooper’s and sharp-shinned hawks, and northern pygmy and saw-whet
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
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owls. A small owl was observed in the Park in August 2001 (Graham Downs, Park Ranger, pers.
com.).
Great blue herons (blue-listed) are considered vulnerable because of the continuing and
persistent threat to their nesting colonies. The nearest confirmed colony of great blue herons is
located at Paq Lake, approximately two kilometres east of the Park. One great blue heron was
observed flying off Moore Point during the August 21, 2001 site reconnaissance.
Previous surveys indicate that 45 marine bird species have been identified in the Egmont/Pender
harbour area. Some of the more common species observed on the marine waterways and
shorelines include various species of loons, grebes, cormorants, sea-ducks (scoters, goldeneyes,
mergansers), gulls and alcids. Species recorded in high numbers include the Pacific Loon,
Canada Geese, Bald Eagle, and Bonaparte’s Gull (Tony Greenfield as per Sunshine Coast
Regional District Egmont/Pender Harbour Plan Area Technical Background Report). During the
December 2000 survey 100 Common Goldeneye, 215 Barrow’s Goldeneye, and 220 Surf Scoters
were observed off Moore Point. Other species observed during the survey were Common Loon,
Double-crested Cormorant, Red-necked Grebe, Bufflehead, American Widgeon, Marbled
Murrelet, Mew Gull and Glaucuos-winged Gull (Robertson Environmental Services Ltd. 2001).
The Marbled Murrelet, a red-listed species, has been noted to be common during winter in the
marine waters in the area. The Strait of Georgia is the world centre of abundance of this species
in winter. Two Marbled Murrelet nests have been found in the Caren Range which is just outside
the Egmont/Pender Harbour area.
Mammals
Columbian black-tailed deer sign was recorded in all habitats in the proposed subdivision of Lot
2 during the December 2000 survey. A deer skeleton was also observed on Moore Point during
an August, 2001 site reconnaissance. The December 2000 survey did not expect that the area
around the Park to be an important summer or winter habitat for the black-tailed deer (Robertson
Environmental Services Ltd. 2001).
Roosevelt elk, which were introduced to the Pender Harbour area in the late 1980’s are probably
not present in the area of Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve (Chris Price Conservation
Officer). The Douglas squirrel, northern flying squirrel, snowshoe hare, black bear, cougar,
racoon and other species of shrews, rodents and bats may occur on the property. Other mammals
found in the Egmont/Pender Harbour area in lesser quantities include river otters, minks and
beavers (Sunshine Coast Regional District, 2001). In the guide book “Paddling Sunshine Coast”
(Drope, 1997) a note is made of two river otters and a ground squirrel while picnicking on the
bluffs above Middle Bay. During the December 2000 site survey of the proposed subdivision of
Lot 2, Douglas squirrels and their sign were encountered throughout the study area, and river
otter sign was recorded along the shoreline of the Lagoon (Robertson Environmental Services
Ltd. 2001).
It is suspected that the Keen’s long-eared myotis, a red-listed bat, is restricted to lower elevation
coastal western hemlock forests in association with rock crevices for roosting. Keen’s long-eared
myotis likely uses tree cavities, rock crevices and small caves to roost. Many of the cavities
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
16
found in snags and stumps in the study area may provide roosting habitat for this species
(Robertson Environmental Services Ltd. 2001).
As the Pender Harbour area grows and develops, natural areas, particularly old growth and older
second growth greater than 20 hectares will become even more important for species dependent
on these forested ecosystems. Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve will become
increasingly more important for species dependent on these types of forested habitats as
development increases in the Pender Harbour area.
Adjacent Marine Values
The Park and Ecological Reserve are within the BC Marine Ecological Classification, the Strait
of Georgia Ecosection. This ecosection is characterized by a broad shallow basin surrounded by
coastal lowlands (Georgia Depression), protected coastal waters with significant freshwater
input, high turbidity and seasonally stratified (e.g. very warm in the summer). Biological features
include nursery areas for salmon, herring, abundant shellfish habitat and neritic plankton
community (Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management, June 2001)
The shoreline of the Park and Ecological Reserve is adjacent to Malaspina Strait, an active
navigation channel. Although the site, particularly around Moore Peninsula, has a number of
embayed areas, they have remained relatively undisturbed from historic industrial marine or
logging activities (e.g. log storage) as they are not conducive to handling marine traffic and the
fact that the previous upland property owner never developed the foreshore area along the Park
or Ecological Reserve. The Lagoon, an intertidal area of mud/sand interspersed with rocks with a
small salt marsh at the head of the Lagoon, is colonized with Japanese oysters, clams and sand
dollars. The diversity of the shoreline from rock bluffs, small bays and intertidal areas with
pocket beaches in a relatively undisturbed state likely provides habitat to a variety of foreshore
and intertidal marine plants and animals. The high intertidal areas of many of the small bays are
littered with marine debris (e.g. logs, old boat parts) brought in by the prevailing winds.
The sub-tidal terrain along potions of the property is a tiered wall that extends from the shore to
35 m below the sea level, with rock faces, tall narrow ravines, crevices and caves which reach
deep into the rock. The sub-tidal topography which varies from a steep wall on the south-east
end of the site (i.e. around Francis Point) to a variety of rocky substrates at the north-west end
(i.e. off the tip of Moore Point) provides high habitat diversity for rock and ling cod (Bernie
Hanby pers. com.).
A report completed by Pacific Marine Life Surveys Inc., provides a summary of SCUBA diving
observations from 32 separate dives from 1982 to 2001 at two defined dive sites adjacent to the
protected area (i.e. Francis Point and Moore Point). Over 330 species have been recorded
providing a preliminary indication of the macro flora and fauna associated with the shoreline
from the intertidal habitats to a depth of 35 m. Twenty-seven species were selected to assess
potential trends over the 20 years that records were kept. Over the period of observation these
species were consistently recorded at the two sites and at relatively steady levels indicating a
reasonably stable population (Pacific Marine Life Surveys Inc. 2001). The marine flora and
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
17
fauna adjacent to the Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve appear to be typical for the
marine habitats in the area.
Eelgrass beds have been noted in a polygon in Francis Bay in 1961 (Sunshine Coast Habitat
Atlas database Cheryl Trent pers. com.). Seaweed occurs along the coastline as horizontal bands
related to varying amounts of available sunlight. A narrow fringe of high density seaweed and
kelp is located off shore for the entire length of Moore Peninsula and off shore along the
southern part of the Park from the south side of Middle Bay to the southern tip at the Navigation
Aid (Sunshine Coast Regional District, 2001). A variety of seaweeds were also recorded off
Moore Point and Francis Point (Pacific Marine Life Surveys Inc. 2001).
Harbour seals are year round residents and frequent intertidal and sub-tidal waters where they
prey on salmon, herring, and cod. Stellar and California sea lions are seasonal residents in the
Pender Harbour area. In the spring 2001 herring spawned in Middle Bay, which also attracted
seals and raptors (P. Baker pers. com.)
South of Francis Point is noted as a popular sports fishing area (BC Outdoor Maps Sunshine
Coast).
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
18
CULTURAL VALUES
The present day Pender Harbour area was once home to as many 20,000 inhabitants. The
shishálh1 occupied the land for winter home sites, food-gathering purposes, and for ceremonial
and defence purposes. The imprint of European migration after 1880 has left today’s settlement
pattern and place names. (Egmont/Pender Harbour OCP, May 1998)
First Nations A traditional use assessment was conducted in the summer of 2001 to identify and review new
and previously known culturally significant sites associated with the Francis Point Park and
Ecological Reserve (Peacock, 2001). This included documenting, and mapping the current
condition of site features, identification of Aboriginal practices or cultural activities that have or
are occurring on the property and a protection strategy for any sites, natural resources and
practices associated with ongoing Aboriginal use.
The Pender Harbour area is part of the shishálh traditional territory. Pender Harbour was one of
three locations that the Aboriginal communities would gather during the less active months of
winter. Due to the proximity of large and small original village sites in the Pender Harbour area,
seasonal settlements would also have been established throughout the area to facilitate the
harvesting of local resources.
During the 1800’s diseases including smallpox, influenza, measles and tuburculosis introduced
through European contact led to devastating epidemics that severely impacted the Aboriginal
populations and their settlement patterns. The influence of religious missionization took hold in
the region with the resettlement of most of the shishálh population in Sechelt in 1868 (Peacock,
2001).
Traditional Aboriginal use of the Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve area was of a very
specialized and strategic nature (i.e. transient camp and lookout). Traditional use of the Pender
Harbour area is illustrated on the map in Appendix 2. Potential traditional use sites in the area of
the Park and Ecological Reserve would most likely be situated at or near the limited points of
shoreline access, or particularly well situated vantage points on Malaspina Strait. Probable site
types would likely include – artifact scatters related to hunting or travel, historical structures and
associated debris, and small midden deposits near accessible shoreline or inland terraces. Modern
culturally modified trees (springboard notched stumps and girdled CMT’s) were observed in
Francis Point Park though no aboriginal examples (bark or plank strip, pitch tap, etc.) were
identified (Peacock, 2001).
Sixty-four recorded archaeological sites are located in the Pender Harbour area. The one
recorded archaeological site located within the Park (refer to Figure 7) is a midden at the head of
Middle Bay, which is limited in size and reasonably well protected by natural obstacles. Three
recorded sites, one of which includes a fish weir and canoe skid, are located along the Lagoon in
Lot 2 just north-west of the Park and two recorded sites are located around the head of Dutch
Mike’s Cove just south-east of the Park boundary. The site feature types are primarily middens.
1 Shishálh (Sechelt Band) - the term for the resident First Nations people of the region from the Native language
sháshishálem (Peacock, 2001)
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
19
Figure 7. Archaeological Sites Map
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
20
Non-aboriginal
The first non-aboriginal contact in the area was probably by Captain George Vancouver and his
crew who explored the Sunshine Coast area in June of 1792. The crew under the command of
Lieutenant Peter Puget, landed for a night in a cove near the south point of an island, which was
named Beaver Island, now generally known as Francis Peninsula. On June 16, 1792, Captain
Vancouver named the point after St. Francis (Francis Point Marine Park Society, 1999).
Given the erratic shorelines and extensive bays, early European settlement in Pender Harbour
followed the First Nations pattern of dispersed communities linked by water. As with other
coastal communities, by the 1890’s Union Steamship service further emphasized the regions
maritime nature and encouraged facilities development in proximity to the water (Peacock,
2001). Commercial fishing played an important role in the establishment of small communities
along the BC coastline, including many of the permanent settlements in the Egmont/Pender
Harbour area. The communities of Irvines Landing, Francis Peninsula, Garden Bay, Madeira
Park and Egmont all grew out of the commercial fishing boom in the early part of the twentieth
century. Pender Harbour served as a fishing and logging outpost. By the early 1900’s colonies of
Japanese and Scottish settlers populated parts of Francis Peninsula. The main economic activity
in the Sunshine Coast region today is logging, pulp and paper, tourism and retirement related
services (BC Stats).
Accessibility to the area was limited until the mid 1950’s when the road linking it to Vancouver
via the Langdale ferry terminal was completed (Sunshine Coast Regional District, 2001). The
Pender Harbour area was connected to Sechelt by telegraph in 1910 and a trail along the
telegraph line was for many years the only land access south of the area. A gravel road was
constructed between Sechelt and Pender Harbour in the mid 1930’s and was eventually paved in
1957 (Peacock, 2001).
Review of 1947 air photos shows that Francis Peninsula was largely undeveloped and forested.
By 1957, air photos show that sparse residential development had occurred on Francis Peninsula
and that the area was now accessed from the Sunshine Coast by a bridge at Bargain Narrows.
The 1964 air photos show a slight increase in residential development. However, by 1980, the air
photos show that Rondeview Road, Merrill Road and a portion of Merrill Crescent had been
constructed. Adjacent to the east and the north of Rondeview Road, a small lake had been
excavated. Air photos from 1990 and 1996 show additional residential development (URS-
Norecol Dames & Moore, 2000).
The west side of Francis Peninsula was surveyed by H. Nevel Smith, B.C.L.S. in 1909. The
property on which the Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve is located was purchased in
1911 from the Crown and owned by the McQuarrie family until 2001 when it was acquired by
The Nature Trust of British Columbia (TNT) and the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and
leased to BC Parks to manage. The property has been largely undeveloped and forested. There is
evidence of past logging in scattered areas in the centre and north portions of the Park property
and a former logging road appears to have run through portions of the property. This logging was
during the first part of the twentieth century. Review of 1947 aerial photographs indicates that
either a trail or a former road – largely overgrown with vegetation – came from the north end of
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
21
Francis Peninsula. It ran close to the east boundary of the Park for a short distance before curving
diagonally to the north-west across the property and ending at the Lagoon. There were several
areas which appear cleared of trees along the road and there were three large areas of unforested
land in the approximate centre of the Park in the vicinity of Middle Bay. Reviews of air photos
from subsequent decades (e.g. 1957, 1964, 1980, 1990, 1996) indicate no further logging and
regrowth of former cleared areas and roads that were observed in the 1947 photos (URS-Norecol
Dames & Moore, 2000).
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
22
OUTDOOR RECREATION AND TOURISM VALUES
This is a new Park and Ecological Reserve, that was previously under private land ownership.
There are no recreational facilities in the Park or Ecological Reserve. Despite the lack of
facilities and the fact that “no trespassing” signs were posted when the lands were under private
ownership, people have enjoyed hiking along undeveloped trails, accessing them from both the
road ends at the Park Boundary and from the water, primarily at Middle Bay.
Outdoor Recreation Features
The Pender Harbour area is characterized by an intricate shoreline of bays, islets and islands,
providing sheltered conditions for year round marine recreational activities. The abundance of
water and land resources in the area provides a diversity of recreation opportunities to local
residents, seasonal residents and tourists. Pender Harbour provides sheltered water for swimming
and boating. Opportunities for scuba diving, kayaking and other marine sports exist along the
foreshore of Malaspina Strait. The marine and fresh waters in the area are favoured by many for
sports fishing and shellfish harvesting. Public access to the water is limited by the amount of
privately held shoreline property.
The Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve can be characterized as rugged west coast
waterfrontage bounded to the west by Malaspina Strait with the mouth of Pender Harbour to the
north. The property has an expansive stretch of undisturbed waterfrontage and a high percentage
of the land tends to consist of high-bank rocky bluffs with difficult access from the upland to the
waterfront. However there are also a number of small coves with pocket beaches characterized
by low rock tables at or near sea level, providing numerous access points and good recreational
appeal.
The outdoor recreation features of the Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve include:
public access to the water
day hike and picnicking
approximately four kilometres of undeveloped shoreline with varied topography, bluff and
forested landscapes that provide significant viewscapes both from and to the water.
The CDC Site Record notes that the Park has moderate values for coastal recreation, including
low impact trails, and marine access for kayakers. Guide books (e.g. Paddling Sunshine Coast)
reference day paddles around Francis Point and picnicking opportunities on the bluffs above
Francis Bay.
The Park is currently accessible by various trails that traverse most sections of the Park and are
relatively easy to find and follow. These trails have been utilized by the public for hiking and
sometimes horse back riding even when the property was privately owned and “no trespassing”
signs were at the property boundary. The easiest existing access is from the end of Merrill Road
where a well established foot path leads down to Middle Bay. From Middle Bay less travelled
trails continue north toward the Lagoon and south around the navigation aid at Francis Point
towards Dutch Mike’s Cove. A second access point is from the end of Rondeview Place road at
the Park’s eastern boundary north of the Merrill Road access point. The trail from Rondeview
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
23
Place, which heads south-west and intersects the trail to Middle Bay from Merrill Road, is not as
well worn as the trail from Merrill Road to Middle Bay. The Park can also be accessed from the
north at the end of the new extension to Francis Peninsula Road and following the right-of-way
for the new water line which links into the trail from the Rondeview Place road end. (Refer to
Figure 2)
The Ecological Reserve can be accessed via the trails through the Park, however signage at the
Ecological Reserve boundaries notes that the reserve area is closed to all visitors except with a
BC Parks permit.
Visual Values
Malaspina Strait, adjacent to the Park and Ecological Reserve is a busy navigation channel. The
varied shoreline and upland topography with forested cover and open bluffs provide important
coastal viewscapes for the high volume of marine traffic (BC Conservation Data Centre, 2000).
From the upland, the shoreline of the Park and Ecological Reserve offer west and southwesterly
exposure with spectacular panoramic views across Malaspina Strait. The most southerly portion
of the Park extending north from Dutch Mike’s Cove around Francis Point to Middle Bay
includes the highest percentage of open rock-bluff waterfrontage with moderate-to-steep
topographical features and excellent panoramic views. Much of the interior parts of the Park
have an open forest canopy with limited understorey vegetation, resulting in a park-like setting.
Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Opportunities
The Sunshine coast is a popular tourist region with the summer population swelling by 25% to
approximately 32,000 people (The BC Fact Book). Pender Harbour has 10.5% of the population
of the Sunshine Coast and has grown from 1943 people in 1986 to 2573 people in 1996.
The Park provides an opportunity for visitors to experience a relatively undisturbed natural
coastal setting and to learn about the natural plant communities on the site.
Existing Facilities and Services
At present there are no recreational facilities or services in the Park or Ecological Reserve.
Signage at the Merrill Road end entrance to the Park states that the land has seen very little
human presence and that the fragile plant communities and marine life will be easily impacted as
people begin to visit the area. The sign requests that visitors minimize their impact. Camping and
fires are prohibited, pets must be on a leash and people are requested to stay on marked trails.
There are numerous signs around the boundary to the Ecological Reserve which restrict visitor
use as follows:
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
24
Ecological Reserve This area has been set aside for the preservation and study of natural systems and processes. The removal or disturbance of plants, animals and materials, including hunting, fishing, or tree cutting is prohibited. Camping and lighting fires are also not permitted within the ecological reserve. Due to the sensitive features of this ecological reserve, it is CLOSED to all visitors. Entry without the issuance of a permit from BC Parks is prohibited. We request your help in reporting any damage or disturbance to the nearest BC Parks office.
Visitor Activity Areas
There are no formal visitor activity areas within the Park. Informal trails on the Park property
have been used in the past by people trespassing on the private property. During the campaign by
the Francis Point Marine Park Society (FPMPS) to raise money to purchase the property for park
purposes, regular guided tours were conducted on the Park site with the permission of the
previous owners. Most people using the trails from the Merrill Road end go to Middle Bay, with
a few venturing down to the navigation light at Francis Point on the southern tip of the Park
(Patsy Baker pers. com.).
Park Visitor Profiles
Visitors to the Park prior to 2001, were primarily locals who “trespassed” on the private property
owned by the McQuarries. The primary use was to access the water at Middle Bay from the
Merrill Road end. There was also use of some of the trails by local residents for horse back
riding. In addition, over the last few years, the FPMPS took people on guided tours of the
property as part of their fund raising initiative to acquire the property for park purposes. The
people on the tours ranged from local residents, residents of the lower mainland to people from
out of province and out of Canada.
From casual discussions with visitors to the Park during July and August 2001, most were locals
or from the lower mainland (Patsy Baker, pers. com).
Visitor Use Trends: Past; Present; Future
The tourist industry is one of the Sunshine Coast’s economic mainstays. Tourism in the Sunshine
Coast Regional District is mainly in the form of fishing, sightseeing, recreational activities such
as hiking, cycling, golfing, boating or overnight accommodation in motel, bed and breakfast, or
private campground facilities. Approximately 82% of all tourists to the Sunshine Coast are BC
residents, another nine percent are foreign visitors and the remainder originate from other parts
of Canada.
In addition to the Provincial Parks in the vicinity of Francis Point, there are also a number of
Regional Parks, Community Parks, Mini Parks (e.g. road ends), and Special Feature Parks in the
area. Unfortunately records are not kept on the use of the various regional and community level
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
25
parks in the area. Statistics on day-use attendance are available for the following Provincial
Parks:
Table 1: BC Parks Day-Use Attendance Figures for Day-Use Areas near the Francis Point
Park and Ecological Reserve
2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
Smuggler Cove*
Day Use
Boat
22,106
4,515
19,960
4,476
20,051
4,819
22,666
5,397
17,426
5,218
10,496
4,308
19,152
5,183
10,538
4,641
4,959
5,558
1,981
5,005
Sargeant Bay
Day Use
65,201
77,402
79,390
69,436
73,696
75,204
79,047
63,339
66,510
12,071
Skookumchuk
Narrows
Day Use
31,636
33,922
33,715
29,438
27,629
25,427
31,111
17,976
9,243
6,331
* includes 5 walk in camp sites
Table 1 illustrates an increase in day use of the Provincial Parks in the early 1990’s. Since the
early 1990’s, the annual day use numbers have been relatively consistent, with little over all
increase in numbers.
Records kept by the Pender Harbour Information Centre, indicate that they received 3,409
visitors at the Centre from June to September in 2000 and 3,828 visitors over the same period in
1999.
Due to the recent establishment of the Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve, and the
previous status of the property being privately owned, current existing visitor use figures are
limited. A counter was installed at the Merrill Road entrance to the Park July 30, 2001. Readings
over the month of August indicate that there were between 200 and 240 visitors based on meter
readings of approximately 25 to 30 people visiting the Park every four days.
Use of the areas parks is likely to increase with the expected doubling of the Egmont/Pender
Harbour area population over the next 25 years (Sunshine Coast Regional District, 1998).
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
26
LAND TENURES, OCCUPANCY RIGHTS AND RESOURCE
USES
Tenures, Rights and Resource Uses in the Protected Area
There is a statutory right-of-way in favour of the South Pender Water District that was
established to facilitate the construction, servicing and operation of an eight inch diameter water
line, and air release valve. This right-of-way bisects the Park from the end of the extended
portion of Francis Peninsula Road travelling eastward and joining Rondeview Place, where the
road abuts the eastern boundary of the Park. (refer to Figure 3).
BC Parks intends to acquire tenure for 100m of the foreshore adjacent to the Park and Ecological
Reserve with the exception of the water lot lease owned by the McQuarries in the Lagoon
adjacent to Lot 6 in the proposed subdivision of Lot 2. With further information on the intertidal
and sub-tidal values adjacent to the Park and Ecological Reserve, there may be adjustments made
to the 100m foreshore rights acquired by BC Parks to ensure that the most sensitive areas are
within the zone acquired by BC Parks.
First Nations Interests
Though Francis Point Park is perhaps less accessible to the Sechelt Indian Band (SIB)
membership given their primary residence in Sechelt, there are regular summer visits made by
Elders and students groups. The SIB has for several years utilized the Parks and proximate Band
Lands for a variety of youth challenge and traditional culture programs. These programs may
involve the minimal harvest of traditional resources (Peacock, 2001).
Acknowledging that the Pender Harbour area thrives on summer tourism, the SIB, as the original
hosts in the area, would like to be involved in future culture based tourism and would welcome
the opportunity to conduct Park interpretive tours (Peacock, 2001).
Patterns of Land Use Next to the Protected Area
Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve and adjacent lands on Francis Peninsula are located in
the Sunshine Coast Regional District within electoral area A. Land use in this area is subject to
the Egmont/Pender Harbour Official Community Plan (OCP) (Sunshine Coast Regional District,
1998) and Zoning Bylaw No. 337 (Sunshine Coast Regional District, 1990). The land use
adjacent to the Park is designated in the OCP as “Residential A”, which requires a minimum lot
size of 2,000 square meters (one-half acre) (Sunshine Coast regional District, 1998). Zoning for
the land on the eastern Park boundary, south of Merrill Road (i.e. DL 997) and abutting the
north-west boundary of the Park (i.e. Lot 2) is Rural Resource 2 (RU2). Permitted uses allowed
under this zoning include single-family residential with up to four dwelling units, riding stables,
animal shelters, intensive agriculture, and campgrounds with up to 10 sites per hectare of parcel
area. Zoning for the land along the eastern Park boundary north of Merrill Road and along the
northern Park boundary is Single and Two Family Residential (R2). Permitted uses include
single-family residential with up to two dwelling units per parcel.
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
27
The 10.30 ha parcel (Lot 2) joining the north-west corner of the Park, is currently undergoing a
subdivision process which includes seven lots and a small lot designated as a Regional Park that
is contiguous with the boundary of the Ecological Reserve and the Provincial Park. It is
understood that the intent of the Regional Park is not yet determined, but that it would be
consistent and compatible with the purposes and use of the Ecological Reserve and Provincial
Park (Paul Thompson, Planner Sunshine Coast Regional District pers. com.).
The large parcel (i.e. DL 997) that adjoins the eastern boundary of the Park south of Merrill
Road is currently farmed, with the area along the Park boundary still primarily forested. Most of
the wetland that straddles the boundary of the Park and DL 997 is located in DL 997. It is noted
that the area along the Park boundary including the wetland is identified as “high constraint” in
terms of terrain suitability for residential development. DL 997 is also identified to include a
future neighbourhood public use area. The OCP (Sunshine Coast regional District, 1998) states
that a park site should be acquired at the time of future multi-lot subdivision approval. “A level
site south of the Merrill Crescent subdivision may be suitable for a playing field or playground.
The present lack of play fields in the Francis Peninsula area would make this site a valuable asset
to the neighbourhood and community.” Despite the diversity and number of parks in the Pender
Harbour area, public campground facilities are lacking and it is unlikely that the provincial
government will develop such facilities at either Skookumchuk Narrows Provincial Park or
Garden Bay Marine Park. Commercial campgrounds could fill this void and provide an alternate
form of accommodation for the travelling public (Sunshine Coast Regional District, 2001).
Commercial campgrounds are permitted on parcels over 1.75 hectares in RU2 zones which is the
zoning for the lands adjacent (i.e. Dl 997 and Lot 2) to the new Francis Point Park (SCRD
Zoning Bylaw No. 337, 1990).
East of the Park, north of DL 997, there are residential subdivisions along Rondeview Road,
Merrill Road and Merrill Crescent. However a number of the parcels between these subdivisions
and immediately adjacent to the north-east boundary of the Park are larger and primarily
undeveloped with significant amounts of forest cover. Two of these parcels at the north-east
corner provide a forested continuum between Francis Point Park and the Special Feature Park
called Beaver Island Subdivision Park. This is a 2.6 ha site that surrounds a small man-made
marshy lake, locally known as Trout Lake.
Opportunities exist to encourage appropriate natural buffer areas along the Francis Point Park
boundary. This could include encouragement of cluster development with natural areas being left
along the Park boundary at a time that there is a multi-lot subdivision of DL 997 and the
development of a future neighbourhood public use area in DL 997 that would also augment the
services in Francis Point Park. Opportunities should also be explored to encourage the
maintenance of the forested continuum between the north-east portion of Francis Point Park and
Trout Lake.
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
28
BC PARKS OPERATIONS
Operations Infrastructure and Facilities
At present there are no recreational facilities or services in the Park or Ecological Reserve. BC
Parks retained a part time caretaker during the summer of 2001 to monitor visitor activity.
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
29
KEY MANAGEMENT ISSUES
Ecological Mapping and Sensitivity Assessment
Issue: There is a need for mapping the rare and sensitive plant communities within the Park.
Park management would also benefit from additional marine inventory information.
There is an understanding of the forested plant communities on the property, including facility
development restrictions in the rare-listed forested plant communities and a broad understanding
about the sensitivity to disturbance of the open, moss and lichen covered rock outcrop
communities. Mapping the plant community polygons, particularly the unusual grass-
moss/lichen community which forms the most sensitive part of the rock outcrop vegetation
would assist planners in determining appropriate management for the Park, and the appropriate
placement of recreation facilities, including parking areas and the overall layout of the trail
system. Existing surveys, together with mapping of the plant communities using air photos and
field checks would also provide baseline conditions from which to monitor impacts from future
use of the Park. It is noted that currently there is no visitor access to the Ecological Reserve
except with a permit from BC Parks.
There is the possibility for high marine intertidal and sub-tidal values adjacent to the Park and
Ecological Reserve (BC Conservation Data Centre, 2000). More information about the intertidal
and sub-tidal values relative to other areas in this Ecosection will be needed to:
In the short term - make adjustments to the 100m foreshore rights that BC Parks is in the
process of acquiring; and
In the longer term - explore the potential for obtaining marine protected area status.
Appropriate Recreational Activities in the Park
Issue: There is a need to determine which recreational activities are appropriate within the
Park area.
Consideration should be given to what activities are appropriate in the Park given that Francis
Point Provincial Park is designated under the lease agreement between TNT and BC Parks as a
day use public park with a wildlife habitat and environmental enhancement purpose and for
recreational, educational and scientific uses appropriate to this purpose.
The lease agreement between TNT and BC Parks also states that no access point or any other
access or egress is to be constructed into the Park from the extension of Francis Peninsula Road.
Recommendations from the Ecological Assessment of Francis Point Park and Ecological
Reserve state that under no circumstances should the areas occupied by the rare-listed plant
communities be utilized for park facilities including buildings, picnic and campgrounds,
playgrounds or roadways.
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
30
Information on Park Opportunities
Issue: There is a need to provide direction on what information should be distributed on the
Park and how it should be distributed.
In managing visitors to the Park, consideration should be given to how the use of the Park is
promoted including the information provided about the Park on web sites, brochures, signs in the
Park and the amount of signage from Highway 101 etc. There may be opportunities to facilitate a
multi-faceted experience for visitors to the Pender Harbour area by offering information on the
various types of parks in the area and the products they offer. The Francis Point Park could
provide a self guided educational experience of natural coastal plant communities in a relatively
undisturbed state, where as other parks in the area may focus on the fresh water aquatic systems,
and more intensive recreational uses.
As the original hosts in the area, the Sechelt Indian Band (SIB) would like to be involved in
future culture based tourism and would welcome the opportunity to conduct Park interpretive
tours.
Park Access and Facility Development
Issue: There is a need to determine where access to the Park will occur and what facilities are
required for access and to support appropriate recreation activities within the Park.
The property has high access potential from both land and water. Control of access by people
and domestic animals will be needed to ensure that fragile moss and lichen communities on
shallow soiled, rocky sites are protected. Steep rocky knolls may also provide hazards to hikers.
If public access is to be allowed, a safe trail network will need to be designed (BC Conservation
Data Centre, 2000). Management of access also relates to concerns for fire control, garbage and
weed control (e.g. seeds transported on people and dogs).
Potential marine access points include Francis Bay area (e.g. Middle Bay), Dutch Mike’s Cove at
the southern end of the Park and the Lagoon between Moore Peninsula and the private property
owned by the McQuarrie family (i.e. Lot 2). Developing management options for near shore
marine use and marine access to the Park should consider intertidal and sub-tidal resources and
their relative sensitivity to disturbance.
There is road access to the Park boundaries from the north and east, but no road access into the
Park. Concerns may arise from the parking of vehicles along the roads to the Park. Consideration
of future parking facilities within the Park boundaries is required and determination which access
point will serve as the main entrance to the Park. Potential for parking within the park would be
at the east side of the Park at the end of either Rondeview Road or Merrill Road. Currently the
Merrill Road end serves as the primary Park entry point. Consideration should also be given to
installing a Park gate that is locked after dusk to discourage potential evening or night time
parties.
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
31
Under normal circumstances there is no concern against constructing and/or maintaining trails
that traverse the rare-listed plant communities. However trails on the open, moss and lichen
covered rock outcrop areas cause abrasion and potentially contribute to alien plant introductions.
It is recommended that on these sites that trails be kept to a minimum and that existing trails be
shifted away from slanting rock surfaces and areas where trail proliferation is likely or already a
problem (Roemer, 2001). Consideration should be given to designing trails that encourage foot
traffic to stay on the trail and discourage other types of use (horseback riding, motorized
vehicles, mountain bikes). Barriers or fences may be required to prevent access to particularly
sensitive areas or high hazard areas.
New trail access must not be created in the Ecological Reserve. While the forest communities in
the Ecological Reserve are no more fragile than those in the Park, the terrain of the peninsula is
such that any foot traffic would be concentrated on the open rock outcrop sites, mainly along the
shorelines, and the isthmus connecting the Park to the Ecological Reserve would be particularly
affected (Roemer, 2001). Current signage around the Ecological Reserve, both from the upland
and at potential marine access points states that the area is closed to all visitors except under a
permit from BC Parks.
Control of Introduction of Exotic or Invasive Species
Issue: There is a need to determine how exotic or invasive species will be controlled and
managed.
One of the unique aspects of the Park and Ecological Reserve property is the relative lack of
weeds or invasive species. Plant surveys conducted in 1998, 1999 and 2001 indicate that there
were few introduced weedy species (refer to the plants with an asterisk listed in Table 1 in
Appendix 1). The few individuals of aggressive introduced shrubs, principally Scotch broom and
Himalayan blackberry, must be eliminated at the earliest possible opportunity to prevent a
situation where proliferation would necessitate very major and continuous control efforts
stretching over decades. Table 3 in Appendix 1 lists some of the control measures that can be
implemented to control a number of the introduced plant species.
Currently dogs are allowed in the Park only on a leash and people are requested to stay on
marked trails. Management of access into the park and construction of any required
infrastructure (e.g. recent waterline) will need to consider how the introduction of weeds can be
minimized. Consideration should be given to planting of native species in any disturbed areas
(e.g. waterline right-of-way), designing trails that encourage foot traffic and discourage other
types of use (horseback riding, motorized vehicles, mountain bikes as seeds can be left in
droppings or tracked in on the vehicles), and barriers or fences to prevent possible livestock
access.
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
32
Monitoring
Issue: There is a need to determine what monitoring programs need to take place within the
Park and Ecological Reserve.
Consideration needs to be given to monitoring the use of the site and any deterioration noted to
the natural resources present both on the upland and the adjacent marine foreshore. Particular
attention should be paid to the open moss/lichen plant communities present that are most
sensitive to disturbance. Existing ecological inventories, together with mapping sensitive plant
communities and field checks conducted by a qualified professional prior to the design and
development of recreation facilities including parking, trails and viewpoints will provide a
baseline to monitor use and condition of the Park’s resources.
It is noted that these natural resources are also valued by the SIB and recognition be given that
these resources be managed on a sustainable basis while also providing for Aboriginal rights of
access. The SIB has for several years utilized the Parks and proximate Band Lands for a variety
of youth challenge and traditional culture programs. These programs may involve the minimal
harvest of traditional resources (Peacock, 2001). In the traditional use assessment conducted
during the summer of 2001, it was noted that efforts should be made to monitor and assess
contemporary use patterns and their effects on resources (Peacock, 2001).
Consideration should be given to information signage, barriers and fencing of particularly
sensitive areas and monitoring by local stewardship groups. The possibility of providing guided
tours by local stewardship groups may serve as both an educational experience, particularly for
first time visitors to the Park and as a mechanism to monitor use of the trails.
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
33
BIBLIOGRAPHY
BC Conservation Data Centre, 2000. Georgia Basin Ecosystem Conservation Partnership –
Catalogue of Site Records. Francis Point, Sechelt Site Record, prepared by Andrew Harcombe,
February 2000.
Bouman, D. 1997. Environmental Assessment Report of Francis Point Property. prepared by Dan
Bouman for Howard White, November 1997 (2pp, 2 inventory forms)
Coastal Waters Recreation, British Columbia Outdoor Maps #12 Sunshine Coast
Drope, Dorothy and Bodhi, 1997. Paddling Sunshine Coast, Harbour Publishing
Federation of BC Naturalists, 1997. Environmentally Important Sites and Streams on the
Sunshine Coast. Land for Nature Initiative, November 1997.
Francis Point Marine Park Society, 1999. Proposal Francis Point Marine Park, prepared by J.
Johnstone and M. Larsen for the Francis Point Marine Park Society, Madeira Park, June 1999.
Land Agreements Between The Nature Trust of British Columbia, the Nature Conservancy of
Canada and the Province of BC:
Section 219 Covenant charging Lot 1 for Park Use, March 13, 2001
Lease with Right of Renewal charging Lot 1, March 14, 2001
Statutory Right of Way for a water line through the Park in favour of the South Pender Water
District, March 5, 2001
Section 219 Covenant charging Lot 3 for Ecological Reserve, March 13, 2001
Lease with Right of Renewal charging Lot 3, March 14, 2001
MacKinnon, A. 1998. Letter to Peter Robson, Francis Point Marine Park Society, October 1998
Pacific Marine Life Surveys Inc. 2001. A Dive Log Species Report and Analysis: Prepared for
BC Parks as background information for a report on the Francis Point property, October, 2001.
Peacock, A. 2001. Francis Point Provincial Park shishálh (Sechelt Band) Traditional Use
Assessment and Site Protection Plan. Prepared for Ministry of Environment, Land and Parks BC
Parks. Global Village Research Consultants, Sechelt, Summer 2001
Robertson Environmental Services Ltd. 2001. Proposed 7 Lot Subdivision of D.L. 2792 of
Francis Peninsula McQuarrie Property Raptor/Heron Nest Survey and Wildlife Bio-Inventory.
prepared by Claudio Bianchini and Ian Robertson for Peter M. Gordon Land Surveying Inc.
January 2001
Roemer, H. 2001. Ecological Assessment of Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve.
Prepared by Hans Roemer, BC Parks, August 2001
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
34
Sunshine Coast Regional District, 1990. Pender Harbour – Egmont (Electoral Area A) Zoning
Bylaw No. 337
Sunshine Coast Regional Distyrict, 1998. Egmont/Pender Harbour Official Community Plan.
Bylaw No. 432, 1996, adopted May 1998.
Sunshine Coast Regional District, 2001. Egmont/Pender Harbour Plan Area Technical
Background Report. Prepared by SCRD Planning Department. Completed 1995, compiled
January 2001.
Taylor, T. 1998 and 1999. Plants Observed on McQuarrie Property, Francis Peninsula,
September 12, 1998 and additional plants observed in proposed Francis Point Marine Park, May
29, 1999.
URS-Norecol Dames & Moore, 2000. Stage I Preliminary Site Investigation Francis Point
Property Sunshine Coast, British Columbia. Prepared for the Nature Trust of British Columbia,
December 8, 2000.
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
35
Appendix 1
Plant Lists compiled by Terry Taylor (September 1998 and May 1999)
and Hans Roemer (August 2001)
Table 1. Vascular Plant Species
Recorded in Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve Inventories by Terry Taylor, September 12, 1998 and May 29, 1999, and Hans Roemer, August 21/22, 2001
(* denotes introduced species)
Trees
Abies grandis Grand fir T R
Acer macrophyllum Bigleaf maple T R
Alnus rubra Red alder T R
Arbutus menziesii Arbutus T R
Ilex aquifolium* Holly T R
Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain juniper R
Pinus contorta var. contorta Shore pine T R
Prunus emarginata Fire cherry R
Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas-fir T R
Salix scouleriana Scouler’s willow T R
Salix sitchensis Sitka willow R
Taxus brevifolia Pacific yew R
Thuja plicata Western redcedar T R
Tsuga heterophylla Western hemlock T R
Shrubs
Amelanchier alnifolia Saskatoon berry T R
Cytisus scoparius* Scotch broom R
Gaultheria shallon Salal T R
Holodiscus discolor Ocean spray T R
Juniperus communis Common juniper T R
Lonicera ciliosa Orange honeysuckle T R
Lonicera hispidula Hairy honeysuckle T R
Mahonia aquifolium Tall Oregongrape T R
Mahonia nervosa Dulll Oregongrape T R
Pachistima myrsinites Falsebox T R
Prunus laurocerasus* Russian laurel R
Pyrus fusca Pacific crabapple R
Ribes lacustre Swamp gooseberry R
Rosa gymnocarpa Baldhip rose T R
Rosa nutkana Nootka rose T R
Rubus discolor* Himalayan blackberry R
Rubus laciniatus* Evergreen blackberry T
Rubus parviflorus Thimbleberry R
Rubus spectabilis Salmonberry T R
Rubus ursinus Trailing blackberry T R
Sambucus racemosa Red elderberry R
Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry T R
Vaccinium parviflorum Red huckleberry T R
Others
Achillea millefolium Yarrow T R
Agropyron repens* Quackgrass T
Agrostis gigantea* Tall bentgrass T R
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
36
Agrostis pallens Dune bentgrass R
Agrostis scabra Hair bentgrass T R
Aira caryophyllea* Silver hairgrass T R
Aira praecox* Early hairgrass T R
Allium cernuum Nodding onion R
Anthoxanthum odoratum* Sweet vernalgrass T R
Arctostaphylos media Kinnikinnick – manzanita hybrid T R
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Kinnikinnick T R
Aspidotis densa Indian dream fern T R
Asplenium trichomanes Maidenhair spleenwort T R
Athyrium filix-femina Lady fern R
Atriplex patula Orache T R
Blechnum spicant Deer fern R
Boschniakia hookeri Vancouver groundcone T R
Brodiaea coronaria Harvest brodiaea T
Bromus hordeaceus* Soft brome T
Bromus sitchensis Sitka bromegrass R
Bromus vulgaris Common bromegrass R
Cardamine oligosperma Few-seeded bittercress T
Carex lyngbyei Lyngby’s sedge T
Carex obnupta Slough sedge R
Cerastium glomeratum* Sticky chickweed T
Chenopodium album Lambsquarter R
Chimaphila umbellata Prince’s pine T R
Claytonia sibirica Sibirian miner’s lettuce T
Collinsia grandiflora Large-flowered blue-eyed Mary T
Crepis capillaris* Smooth hawksbeard R
Cryptogramma acrostichoides` Parsley fern T R
Dactylis glomerata* Orchard grass T
Danthonia spicata Poverty oatgrass T R
Daucus pusillus American wild carrot T
Digitalis purpurea* Foxglove R
Distichlis stricta Seashore saltgrass R
Dryopteris expansa Spiny woodfern T R
Eleocharis obtusata Blunt spike-rush R
Elymus glaucus Western wildrye R
Epilobium ciliatum Purple-leaved willow-herb T R
Equisetum hiemale Common scouring rush R
Equisetum telmateia Giant horsetail R
Eriophyllum lanatum Wooly sunflower T R
Erythronium oregonum White fawn lily T R
Festuca arundinacea* Giant fescue T R
Festuca occidentalis Western fescue T R
Festuca rubra* Red fescue R
Festuca rubra ssp. arenariai Native red fescue T R
Festuca subulata Bearded fescue T
Festuca subuliflora Crinkle-awn fescue R
Fragaria virginiana Wild strawberry T R
Fritillaria affinis Chocolat lily T R
Galium aparine* Cleavers T R
Geranium bicknellii Bicknell’s geranium R
Geranium molle* Dove-foot geranium T
Geum macrophyllum Large-leaf avens T
Glaux maritima Sea milkwort T
Gnaphalium purpureum Purple cudweed T R
Gnaphalium uliginosum* Marsh cudweed R
Goodyera oblongifolia Rattlesnake plantain T R
Grindelia integrifolia Puget Sound gumweed T R
Heuchera micrantha Small-flowered alumroot T R
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
37
Hieracium albiflorum White Hawkweed T R
Holcus lanatus* Velvetgrass T R
Hordeum brachyantherum Meadow barley T R
Hypochaeris radicata* Hairy cat’s ear R
Juncus balticus Baltic rush T R
Koeleria macrantha Junegrass R
Lactuca muralis* Wall lettuce R
Leymus mollis Beach rye T R
Lilium columbianum Wild tiger lily T R
Linnaea borealis Twinflower T R
Listera caurina Northwestern twayblade T
Luzula multiflora Many-flowered woodrush T R
Lysichiton americanum Skunk cabbage R
Madia cf. glomerata Cluster tarweed R
Madia madioides Woodland tarweed T
Melica subulata Alaska oniongrass R
Mimulus guttatus Yellow monkeyflower T
Mimulus guttatus var. depauperatus Dwarf monkeyflower T
Monotropa uniflora Indian pipe T R
Montia parvifolia Small-leaf montia T
Myosotis stricta* Blue forget-me-not T
Oenanthe sarmentosa Water parsley R
Panicum occidentale Western witchgrass T R
Panicum oligosanthes var. scribnerianum Scribner’s witchgrass R
Pentagramma triangularis Goldback fern T
Perideridia gairdneri Gairdner’s yampah T R
Plantago major* Common plantain T R
Plantago maritima Seaside plantain T R
Plectritis congesta Seablush T R
Polygonum douglasii ssp. spergilariiforme Spurry knotweed T R
Polypodium glycirrhiza Licorice fern T R
Polystichum munitum Swordfern T R
Potentilla pacifica Pacific silverweed R
Prunella vulgaris Selfheal T R
Pteridium aquilinum Bracken fern T R
Rumex acetosella* Sheep sorrel T R
Rumex aquaticus var. fenestratus Western dock T
Rumex crispus* Curly dock T R
Salicornia virginica American glasswort T R
Saxifraga ferruginea Alaska saxifrage T R
Sedum acre* Goldmoss stonecrop T
Sedum oregonum Oregon stonecrop T R
Selaginella wallacei Wallace’s spikemoss T R
Senecio sylvaticus* Wood groundsel T
Sonchus arvensis* Perennial sow-thistle T R
Sonchus asper* Prickly sow thistle T R
Spiranthes romanzoffiana Lady’s tresses R
Stellaria media* Chickweed T R
Trientalis latifolia Broad-leaf starflower T R
Trifolium dubium* Small hop-clover T
Trifolium tridentatum Tomcat clover R
Trifolium variegatum White-tipped clover T
Triglochin maritima Seaside arrowgrass T R
Trisetum canescens Tall trisetum R
Triteleia hyacinthina Fool’s onion T R
Veronica americana American brooklime R
Vicia americana American vetch T R
Vicia gigantea Giant vetch T R
Vinca minor* Periwinkle T
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
38
Vulpia microstachys Pacific annual fescue T R
Vulpia myuros* Rattail fescue T R
Zygadenus venenosus Death camas T R
1 Note: Taylor’s Festuca idahoensis replaced by this name. Presumably, “idahoensis” was used to designate F. roemeri (Pavlick)
Alexeyev. The present taxon is rhizomatous and belongs to the F. rubra complex.
Source: Roemer, H. 2001. Ecological Assessment of Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve. Prepared by
Hans Roemer, BC Parks, August 2001
Francis Point Provincial Park and Ecological Reserve – Background Report
39
Table 2. Cryptogam - Grass community on hilltops and exposed rock outcrops
Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve
Surveyed and compiled by H.Roemer, August, 2001
(x = present; X= present with high cover/abundance)
Scattered trees, tree
saplings and
seedlings:
Pinus contorta x x x x x x x x x Shore pine
Arbutus menziesii x x x x x x x x Arbutus
Pseudotsuga menziesii x x x x x x Douglas-fir
Tsuga heterophylla x Western hemlock
Shrubs:
Juniperus communis x x x x X x X Common juniper
Amelanchier alnifolia x Saskatoon
Lonicera hispidula x Hairy honeysuckle
Herb/Grass layer:
Festuca rubra ssp. arenaria x x X X X x x x X “red” fescue, native subsp, (glaucous)
Hypochaeris radicata x x x x x x x x Hairy catsear
Agrostis pallens X X x x x x X Dune bentgrass
Danthonia spicata x X X x X x Poverty oatgrass
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi x X X x x x Kinnikinnick
Agrostis scabra x x x x x Hair bentgrass
Aira praecox x x x x x Early hairgrass
Prunella vulgaris x x x x Selfheal
Cryptogramma acrostichoides x x x x Parsley fern
Panicum occidentale x x x x Western witchgrass
Achillea millefolium x x x x Yarrow
Fragaria virginiana x x x Wild strawberry
Saxifraga ferruginea x x x Alaska saxifrage
Heuchera micrantha x x Small-flowered alumroot
Allium cernuum x Nodding onion
Madia sp. x Tarweed
Holcus lanatus x x Velvetgrass
Rumex acetosella x Sheep sorrel
Luzula multiflora x Many-flowered woodrush
Eriophyllum lanatum x Woolly sunflower
Moss/Lichen layer:
Cladina portentosa X X X X X X X X X Pacific reindeer lichen
Polytrichum juniperinum X x x x x x x x X Haircap moss
Racomitrium canescens x x x x x x x X x Gray rockmoss
Cladina rangiferina x X x x X Reindeer lichen
Selaginella wallacei x x x x Wallace’s spikemoss
Dicranum scoparium x x x Broom moss
Cladonia spp. x x x x Other Cladonia lichens
Cladonia gracilis x Intricate Cladonia lichen
Hylocomium splendens x Stepmoss
Eurhynchium oreganum x Oregon beaked moss
Cladonia uncinata x Hook-tip Cladonia lichen
Source: Roemer, H. 2001. Ecological Assessment of Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve.
Prepared by Hans Roemer, BC Parks, August 2001
Table 3. Introduced Plant Species2
which may require preventative or control measures
Species Name Presence in this
protected area3
Potential invasiveness Management
measures Cytisus scoparius
(Scotch broom)
Only one large plant
observed on a hilltop,
however covered with
hundreds of seed pods
Very high likelihood for
becoming a problem on the
shallow soils on rocky
outcrops
Must be removed and
the site subsequently
monitored for seedlings
Rubus discolor
(Himalayan blackberry)
One plant established on
rocky opening
Not an optimal site for the
species, but could still be
spread by birds
Remove
Rubus laciniatus
(evergreen blackberry)
Reported by T. Taylor;
number unknown
Similar to above, but less
aggressive
Remove
Ilex aquifolium
(holly)
Occasional specimens in
forest
Has become a major
problem close to populated
areas elsewhere
Remove
Prunus laurocerasus
(Russian laurel)
Only one small seedling
observed in forest
Occasionally seen to
survive, but not a significant
problem now
None needed at this
time
Daphne laureola
(leather-leaf daphne)
Not reported from this
area; bird-distributed and
likely to appear
Highly invasive in semi-
open areas in CDF
Must be removed
immediately when
appearing in area
Hedera helix
(ivy)
Not reported at this time,
but virtually certain to
appear
Highly invasive in forests
under similar conditions
elsewhere
As above
Vinca minor
(periwinkle)
Reported by T. Taylor;
abundance unknown
Occasionally invasive
elsewhere as forest floor
species
Remove where found
Anthoxanthum odoratum
(sweet vernalgrass),
Dactylis glomerata
(orchardgrass), Holcus
lanatus (velvetgrass),
Hypochaeris radicata
(hairy cat’s ear), Rumex
acetosella (sheep sorrel)
Elsewhere these species
are the main invaders of
non-forested shallow soils,
but except for
Hypochaeris, have not
made major inroads
locally
Gradual increase to be
expected
Control of these species
has not been attempted
anywhere else in
protected areas; it
appears not feasible at
this time and may result
in more disruption than
benefit
Remaining species with
* in Table 1
Occurring in various
amounts
Not considered disrup-tive
for native plant
communities
As above
Source: Roemer, H. 2001. Ecological Assessment of Francis Point Park and Ecological Reserve.
Prepared by Hans Roemer, BC Parks, August 2001
2 For complete list refer to species with asterisks in Table 1
3 Includes both the Park and Ecological Reserve area