Penders Fundraise to Complete Brooks Point Park

Conservation advocates on the Penders are seeking financial support to help protect a prime section of South Pender waterfront between Brooks and Gowlland Points. Their targets include cruisers who enjoy the Penders for their unique natural environment, and the campaign is getting valuable support from one the Gulf Islands’ high-profile boating destinations, Poets Cove Resort at Bedwell Harbour.

The Pender Islands Conservancy Association has worked for several years to protect the last two undeveloped open headlands in the Southern Gulf Islands, and both Brooks Point and Gowlland Point are now regional parks. But the wedge of prime waterfront between them remained in private hands until the Capital Regional District purchased it for $1.65 million in 2010. The purchase is contingent on community and conservation supporters contributing just over $300,000 by the end of 2014.

PICA has already raised an impressive $152,000 from the Penders’ population of 2,400, and spokesman Paul Petrie says it is now reaching out to supporters and conservation organizations off-island to secure a further $150,000. The campaign has received a kick-start from Poets Cove. Just 15 minutes’ walk from the Brooks-Gowlland Point waterfront, the resort offers a “Chocolate Lily” accommodation package, setting aside a portion of each purchase for the campaign. The resort has contributed $20,000 to date.

Boaters docked at Poets Cove can walk to the waterfront to enjoy views of Boundary Pass and its pods of resident orcas, as well as cliffs, tide pools and fields of chocolate lilies. “It’s a high-value conservation destination, with what has been described as the largest fields of chocolate lilies in the province,” explains Petrie.

The Islands Trust Fund recently announced it will match campaign donations up to $5,000. PICA’s fundraising plans include an August golf tournament and a November concert in Victoria as well as approaches to other land conservation partners.

http://www.penderconservancy.org
www.islandstrustfund.bc.ca/donate/please-help-our-campaigns.aspx