Bowen Island Undercurrent June 11 2020

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COVID TOWN HALL: what will a reopened Bowen look like?

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The Strawberry Tea returns but like never before PAGE 5

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Queen of Cap loses two runs COVID-19’S WRATH HITS TUESDAY AND SUNDAY FERRY SERVICE

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com

residents before retirement).

Scheduled for leasing next summer and occupancy in Dec. 2021, the building is to include four non-market suites and three fully accessible suites. The annual rent on the non-market units cannot be more than 30 per cent of the BC Housing-determined Housing Income Limits (an income threshold under which households are eligible for this housing).

As the economic fallout of COVID-19 continues, Bowen’s ferry service is seeing its first significant cuts.

BC Ferries is cutting two Queen of Capilano runs, likely Tuesday and Sunday 7 p.m. from Snug Cove and 7:30 p.m. from Horseshoe Bay (BC Ferries is still solidifying the plan).

The cut sailings will cease as soon as next week said BC Ferries but no other sailings will be affected.

“BC Ferries is making small changes to some of its inter-island sailing schedules as part of our ongoing efforts to ensure the resiliency of our service and better match service levels to current demand,” said BC Ferries public affairs manager Darin Guenette in an email. “We are removing sailings that are above our contracted levels of service with the Province.”

The cuts are apparently part of a loophole in the service agreement with the province and part of a history that goes back to 2014.

BC Ferries initially intended to cut the Saturday and Sunday 7:30 a.m. sailings from Snug Cove. BC Ferries cut those sailings in 2014 and then after community advocacy reinstated them in 2017 as part of a pilot project. In 2019, under provincial direction, all of the remaining runs cut in 2014 were reinstated but the sailings brought back in 2017 weren’t incorporated into the updated service agreement.

“So when BC Ferries said, right now, we need to cut costs, and fair enough they do, they went ahead and [said] they were going to lop those off,” Coun. David Hocking, who sits on Bowen’s Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC), told municipal council Monday evening.

In March, the Queen of Capilano passenger numbers were down 35 per cent from the previous year and down 67 per cent in April. BC Ferries said in May that the ferry system was losing $1 million a day due to COVID-19’s effects.

“The total costs savings from [the system-wide] changes will help alleviate the significant financial impact we are forecasting due to COVID-19 effects, and as such, will help us keep the entire ferry network more financially stable,” said Guenette.

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UNDERCURRENT PHOTO

DIGGING IN FOR HOUSING: A crowd gathered in the former parking lot across from the museum Monday

afternoon to witness the ground breaking for a new 27-unit rental housing project. Pictured from left to right are Coun. Michael Kaile, project owner David Bellringer, Coun. David Hocking, Mayor Gary Ander, Coun. Alison Morse, the other project owner Rob Purdy, and Coun. Sue Ellen Fast.

New Cove housing project starts BUILDING WILL INCLUDE FOUR NON-MARKET SUITES

BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com

Three rusty shovels dug into the gravel across from the museum Monday afternoon but the grins were golden.

The ground breaking marked the closing of the first sale of a parcel of Bowen’s Community Lands and the beginning of construction for the 27-unit rental hous-

ing project.

D.K. Harris Properties entered the agreement to purchase the land last July and the sale closed Monday.

Construction will start this week or next said co-owner Rob Purdy.

Under a housing agreement council passed in January, all units in the building must be rentals with priority given to residents of or employees on Bowen (or

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Event Calendar June 11, 2020 9:30 am Transportation Advisory Committee Municipal Hall is closed to the public.

All meetings are on Zoom and open to the public.

Parking enforcement has resumed in Snug Cove You may have noticed our bylaw officers have been quite lenient with parking restrictions over the past few months.

As things start to re-open, however, we will be monitoring parking and issuing warnings and tickets as necessary to ensure bylaws are being adhered to. We thank you in advance for taking notice of time limits in parking areas and making sure these limits are not being exceeded.

Questions? Please contact Bylaw Services at 604-328-5499

Evacuation Plan Q&A

Register for play care and summer camps at:

Stop the spread of COVID-19 STAY CLOSE TO HOME

www.bowenrecreation.com

Living with skunks

Join us to learn about the recently completed Evacuation Plan for Bowen Island. A presentation by the Emergency Program Coordinator will be followed by a question and answer session.

Tuesday, June 23, 2020 6:00 pm Online via Zoom Get Zoom meeting details at:

bowenislandmunicipality.ca/emergency-program The presentation will be recorded and posted on our website, so if you miss the live event you can always watch later.

WASH YOUR HANDS

Skunks are attracted to areas where food is abundant and there are places to hide during the day. By removing these things, you’re ensuring that any skunks looking for a new home will have to look elsewhere.

STAY 6 FEET APART

bowenislandmunicipality.ca/bowen-wildlife#Skunks

General Enquiries

Contact Us

Phone: Fax: Email:

Bowen Island Municipal Hall 981 Artisan Lane Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2

604-947-4255 604-947-0193 bim@bimbc.ca

Find us on Facebook Visit Municipal Hall by APPOINTMENT ONLY. June 11, 2020

Bowen Island Municipality

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Bowen Island is home to a variety of wild animals, including rats, skunks, raccoons, and the occasional black bear. Whether they’re searching for food, or looking for a warm place to call home, there are steps you can take to make your property less inviting to them.

Subscribe to our mailing list bowenislandmunicipality.ca/subscribe

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Thursday, June 11, 2020 • 3

ISLAND NEWS MUNI MORSELS

finally sells Council still pushing for a MV-free Mt. Gardner BIM a parcel of the BRONWYN BEAIRSTO

Editor

Mayor Gary Ander opened the June 8 regular council meeting with a statement against racism: “I would like to acknowledge something that cannot be ignored,” said Ander. “As I watch the events unfolding south of the border, I acknowledge that in our own province, in a time when we have come together to keep our community safe against a global pandemic, our response has been weakened by acts of racist violence.

“Racism and discrimination have no place in our society, yet here in Canada, as in the United States and around the world, racism is too often a reality of day to day life.

“While we are proud of the culture of respect and inclusion on Bowen Island, there is still work to be done on all of our parts. We are not immune to racist attitudes and acts. We all have a responsibility to continually reflect on whether our words or actions express bias, whether consciously or unconsciously.

“At Bowen Island Municipality, we pledge to uphold the Canadian values of diversity and inclusion and to oppose racism and hate in all its forms.

“We are committed to listening, we are committed to learning, and we are committed to supporting change.”

The statement comes following a recent rise in anti-Asian hate crimes in the Lower Mainland in the face of COVID-19 as well as the global swell of anti-racism protests and solidarity marches.

Here are briefs from the meeting that followed:

Uphill battle: Council reiterated its position against recreational motorized use of Mt. Gardner in a six-to-one vote.

In April, council had voted to send a letter to Recreation Sites and Trails BC district recreation officer Tom Blackbird asking that the province ban motorized vehicles on the Mt. Gardner Crown land. More than 80 islanders wrote letters to in support of this resolution (to both Blackbird and council). In the last regular meeting, council had asked to approve the letter before it was sent.

BIM’s four-page letter to Blackbird outlines concerns for non-motorized recreational users, the watershed (it’s just above Grafton Lake) and biodiversity. The value of eco-tourism (people come to the island to hike those trails), the limited medical resources of the island in the case of accidents and the Islands Trust’s mandate to preserve and protect too feature in the letter.

The letter specifies that BIM isn’t requesting a

ban for motorvehicles used in telecommunications work, emergency rescue and authorized trail infrastructure repair.

The issue of motorized use of Mt. Gardner came to the fore last fall when the Bowen Trail Riders Association, one of three organizations that together hold a partnership with the province to do maintenance and improvements on Mt. Gardner, proposed a two-track motorized trail up the hill. Blackbird quashed that plan after local uproar.

BTRA president Kevan Bernards made a presentation to council Monday evening, arguing the case for continued motorized use. He said that while there’s been lots of conflict on social media on this matter, there’s been little on the trails. He noted the safety and improvement work the organization has done on the Mt. Gardner trails (including the controversial motorized trail Easy Street) totalling more than 1000 volunteer hours.

“We feel the decision to pursue the action of restricting motorized use was a poor one and rashly made,” said Bernards. “An act based on assumptions and personal opinion, and not in the spirit of respecting our diverse community’s different ways of enjoying the outdoors.”

Councillors acknowledged BTRA’s position but pointed to the mountain of letters asking for prohibition.

Coun. Sue Ellen Fast noted that the trails were designed and approved (in a pre-municipal era) as hiking trails. Coun. David Hocking said he was concerned that the province can unilaterally make land-use decisions about the heart of Bowen. There was also concern for Bowen’s quiet and natural brand.

Coun. Michael Kaile said that his participation in the original branding exercise for the municipality informed his stance, “Having been part of that branding exercise, I’m under no doubt at all that motorized terrain vehicles really, emotionally, have no place within the psyche of Bowen Island.”

As the single councillor opposed, Coun.

Alison Morse said she wondered if they were going to get anywhere with the letter (given that Recreation Sites and Trails BC is in the process of redoing their trails plan on a larger scale).

She also commented that the environmental case for banning motorized could be construed as a case for banning use entirely.

In the yoga zone: In another high-letter matter, Nectar Yoga is looking to rezone its mid-island parcel of land just below Mt. Gardner so that it can operate a retreat centre.

Council unanimously passed second readings of amendments to the Land Use Bylaw and Official Community Plan and put the matter to

public hearing.

Under current zoning, the property is rural residential but to expand the business, Nectar Yoga needs rural commercial zoning for a portion of the property. Under the amendment, an allowable use of “retreat centre” would allow a maximum of 40 in-residence guests, staff accommodations, a residence for the retreat centre owner and accessory buildings.

Conditions of the rezoning include that approximately 25 per cent of the property’s 20 acres would be designated park space. A low-impact trail (or equivalent financial contribution) would be built through the park. An easement for a trail along another section of the trail would be put in place to allow for a future trail development. A riparian area covenant would be placed around Bowen Brook, which would require a permit for any sort of development (even driveway, water or electrical) in the area. And, a protective covenant would be put on proposed residential lots (some of the property would be rural residential and some rural commercial) to ensure 50 per cent of each site would be protected.

Manager of planning and development Daniel Martin said that most public response to the rezoning was in favour though did note that a neighbour was concerned about guests trespassing on their property.

The matter first came to council last September and council passed first reading in February.

Recreation restart: As COVID’s numbers remain relatively flat and the provincial reopening phases progress, manager of recreation and community services Shauna Jennings outlined Community Recreation’s reopening plan.

Jennings said that adult programming was already restarting where there’s the space to allow social distancing including Jazzercise, bootcamp, strength and cardio workouts.

Summer daycamps are to go ahead July 6 through Aug. 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday with the BICS gym as a home base but activities outdoors as much as possible.

Summer playcare with a target start of July 6 is to go ahead Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with group sizes limited to six children.

The leaders in training program for 12 to 16 year olds will involve training on Zoom and in-person before volunteer placement in daycamps.

When it comes to sports organizations (eg.

BIFC), each has to form a return to sport plan and will have to adhere to provincial sport organizations’ COVID-19 strategies.

Community Lands CONTINUED FROM P. 1

Purdy added that the building’s features include electric vehicle-ready parking and a publicly accessible carshare. “[David Bellringer, the other co-owner] and I both agree there’s a need for more housing diversity on the island,” said Purdy in an email. “I have been doing a lot of work with a non-profit housing provider in Vancouver and Dave has been the owner/operator of Village square for a number of years, we decided to combine our experience to try and get some new housing built that will contribute to this diversity.”

“It takes a small army of people to get a project like this off the ground,” said Purdy in another email. “We’d like to thank everyone who has been involved in making this happen including Municipal Staff, Mayor and Council, Bowen based architect Martin Pykalo and his team, our entire consultant team, and our construction manager Peter Winckler.”

“Rental housing on Bowen Island has been identified as a shortage for quite some time now,” said Mayor Gary Ander in an email. “We are excited to have worked out our first sale of Community Lands for this designated rental accommodation project we so desperately need to help ease our current shortfall.”

The Area 1 Lot 2 parcel of the Community Lands sold for $875,000.

BIM bought the Community Lands from Metro Vancouver for $2 million in 2005. The plan back then was to recover the money by selling off some of the land, however this sale is the first to that end. The Bowen Island Health Centre Foundation is buying a parcel of Lot 3 (across from the ambulance station) but that sale has yet to close.

In 2019, that debt went from shortterm to long-term debt.

Correction: In our May 28 edition we featured Raef Grohne’s “Don’t worry, be happy you live on Bowen” sign and incorrectly identified the inspiration as Bob Rooney’s building.

The owner of the Vancouver building is Bob Rennie. Sorry for the error.

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VIEWPOINT

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Evening clapping

DEAR EDITOR: Every evening that I can, I clap my hands for one minute on my deck at 7 p.m. As I do, I think about our Bluewater neighbours.

I think about the person across from us, who just had bypass surgery and who is nicely on the mend now.

I clap for him, and for his spouse, who was a nurse, and for all the medical people who saved him.

I think about the two people in the house beside us, both of whom had knee surgery. One was a joint replacement and the other was to repair a severe injury. I clap for them and for their amazing surgeons.

I think about the person who lives kitty-corner to us, a compassionate and kind counselor. I clap for him and the many people he has helped.

I think of the person who lives behind us, who works in dentistry. I clap for her and her contribution to the health of her many clients.

I think of the couple who lives on the other side of us.

Their adult child is a dedicated and hard-working nurse. I clap for all of them, especially for their bravery at this most trying time.

I think of the person who lives next to them -- another caring and attentive counselor -- for whom I clap as well.

And then I think about my spouse and me. Each of us has had a life-changing/ life-altering surgery in the last few years. I clap for the brilliant surgeons, the nurses, paramedics and other essential hospital personnel who did so much for us.

My evening clapping is so minor, such a tiny gesture, but my gratitude is immense.

I think of all my wonderful neighbours, both the recipients of and the workers in our incredible health care system.

To them, I send my love and heartfelt appreciation.

Sheena Ashdown Bluewater

Health centre shoots for the stars

DEAR EDITOR: I understand you are being sent a photo of the highly unique and attractive Health Centre Foundation fundraising signage, which through special permission Telus is allowing them to place on their property.

As you may be aware I have a long and special history with that property which used to be considered the “sign corner,” but for good reason it is no more. Part of the history of course was the Bowen Island Golf Association’s highly successful fundraising campaign that enabled BIGA to develop our beautiful community golf course, thanks to the broad-based support we received from over 550 members in the community.

I wish the Health Care Foundation every success and have little doubt their campaign will be equally successful as the

TIM RHODES PHOTO

heath care facility will benefit everyone in the community plus visitors as well. Kudos to them for their signage which will show President Trump that the U.S. is not the only country/municipality that launched a space shuttle in the last few weeks. While our health care space may be at earth level it is every bit as exciting as going to the moon!

Bruce Russell

Adult Day program cancelled DEAR EDITOR: The board of the Bowen Island Adult Day Program is unfortunately the bearer of some disappointing news that we recently received from Vancouver Coastal Health. As you may know, we were granted funds from VCH and have been working for the last year on getting an ADP up and running on Bowen to provide respite for caregivers and a stimulating program for those being cared for. Unfortunately, it has proven to be a real challenge to hire the necessary staff. At this point the pandemic and all the restrictions that go along with it are having a serious impact on VCH’s ability to plan to resume their own ADP operations. They

feel it most prudent to focus on existing programs and will not be moving forward with the Bowen Island project at this time. They know we are disappointed and have left the door open to review the feasibility for our Bowen Island ADP in the next fiscal year, and will need to re-confirm the availability of the funds at that time as well.

Thanks so much to the many people and groups who have helped us thus far. Hopefully, you will be hearing from us next year!

Bowen Island Adult Day Program board Cindy McLeod, Kelly Smith, Mary Ellen de Grace, and Suzanne Allan

Tax bill needs realignment DEAR EDITOR: Looking at the BIM property tax information leaflet included with our tax bill, it is good to see a level of transparency in the true increase to 2020 property taxes. However, I do wonder

how a 10.4% increase aligns with the Guiding Principle of “We will live within our means”? Whose “means” are we referring to? It certainly isn’t that of most people I know.

M. McLeod

Knick Knack Nook reopening July 3 Your Knick Knack Nook is planning to reopen on Friday, July 3.

Due to the coronavirus, there will be some changes to ensure the safety of our volunteers and visitors.

We will be open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday and there will be a change in opening hours. We will be open from noon to 2:20 p.m.

Donations will be accepted Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays after June 20.

On Thursdays we will be closed to the public but will be sorting your donations after they have been resting since Monday.

We know you have saved them for us but our new procedures will be overwhelmed if you bring all your donations at once, so please limit your donations to two boxes per trip.

And please ensure your donations are clean and saleable.

We will be setting up a tent at the North end (back door) where donations will be left to rest for three days before we sort and move them inside the KKN. Entrance will be via the back door with a maximum of four people inside the building. All visitors must sanitize before entereing and when leaving and we strongly suggest masks. To protect our volunteers and others who may be inside. No children in the store…sorry, but we cannot properly protect them.

The opening conditions are in progress and may change as COVID changes.

We are all looking forward to better times and seeing old friends again.

David Wrinch Knick Knack Nook

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EDITOR BronwynBeairsto editor@bowenisland undercurrent.com

ADVERTISING Tracey Wait ads@bowenisland undercurrent.com

CARTOONIST Ron Woodall

PUBLISHER Peter Kvarnstrom publisher@bowenisland undercurrent.com

2011 CCNA

CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2011

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Thursday, June 11, 2020 • 5

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

‘Disappointed’: Trail Riders respond to council decision DEAR EDITOR: Considering the many factors including historic use, the province’s own multi-use trails strategy and shear volume of volunteer hours Bowen Trail Riders Association has contributed over the past two years of stewardship alongside our partners, our organization is incredibly disappointed in council’s decision Monday night. Ultimately, the final decision will rest with the province.

Our board and membership do not agree with the reasons cited in the letter drafted by municipal staff. While protecting our watersheds is indeed important the province by way of project approval and oversight will ensure that all requirements are met. Points concerning environmental damage are unsubstantiated, note the term “may” is used several times throughout the letter. We would also like to point out that since the province categorizes e-vehicles as “motorized” this request would essentially restrict any future shift to alternative recreational options.

Approximately 80 letters were received by council voicing concern or opposition to motorized access on Mount Gardner. This represents only two per cent of our island’s population. A number of these were submitted from off-island stakeholders and may have been construed to represented the opinion of our community and that of the province. In fact, there were comments made by persons who indicated they had never visited Bowen Island!

And another by a large national group who suggested its 5500 members were opposed?

How many of their members are honestly even aware of our local mountain. Additionally, the BTRA board is aware of several letters that indeed were submitted to council opposing the action to pursue a ban of motorized use.

How is it that not one of these appeared in the agenda for Monday night’s meeting? Were they overlooked?

BTRA recognizes that self-propelled recreation has its merits and definitely has a place in our community. However, given the diverse opinions of Bowen Islanders the current branding (600 respondents is roughly 17 per cent of Bowen’s population) is hardly a unanimous representation of our community.

There are those opposed to the branding strategy. We appreciate the effort invested in promoting our community but have to reiterate that this does not truly represent all Islanders and really doesn’t have any bearing on lands that fall under provincial jurisdiction.

There may be a misconception amongst islanders that BTRA intends to take over all the trails on the mountain. This is definitely not the case. We respect the historic use of a variety of users groups. There are many trails that can be enjoyed by the self-propelled com-

munity. The mountain is vast and in addition to the more familiar trails, there are service roads, a maze of old logging and mining tracks which are for the most part off the beaten path and suitable for multiple uses.

Sneakers, horseshoes and tires have different needs that contribute to a system of compromise and a tempering of shared values.

BTRA recognizes the value and strength of our partnerships and so whole heartedly wish to continue building on our past successes moving forward. Ultimately this translates to better trails for all!

Mount Gardner is known for its navigational challenges experienced by visitors and locals.

Remedying this is a top priority and something which all the agreement holders are currently working together to improve through the installation of trail markers, signposts and soon standardized provincial signage at all major junctions on the mountain. This effort will improve the experience for all trail users.

The province has acknowledged the hard work we have all put in over the past two years of stewardship and so has indicated a willingness to renew our partnership agreements.

The trails are important to our community for so many reasons and we embrace the role we play in improving them for all users.

BTRA would like to acknowledge and applaud Councillor Allison Morse for opposing the decision and for stating that the letter could be premature as there is a commitment to seek community input and that council has obviously not yet accomplished this. As well as Mayor Gary Ander for his comments re: motorized vehicles have always had a right and a place on Mount Gardner and that the letter from council is in contradiction of this fact.

Moving forward, our organization would like to see our council focus on aspect of the mission statement, i.e. encourages and fosters community involvement or preserves and enhances the unique mix of natural ecosystems and green spaces ... without commencing a battle against the provincial mandate for multi-use trails on crown land.

It also should be noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented many challenges for all of us and has drastically altered how we communicate. Unfortunately, several technical difficulties during our video presentation may have hindered our message on Monday night. Anyone looking for the whole presentation can find it on our public Facebook page @bowentrailridersassociation or as an item of public record linked to Monday night’s agenda on the municipal website.

Sincerely, Kevan Bernards President, BTRA

StrawberryTea returns this weekend REV. LORRAINE ASHDOWN

Bowen Island United Church

For many years, Bowen Island United Church has invited the community to our annual Strawberry Tea. And this year we are not about to let a global pandemic stop us. We will just host the tea a bit differently.

This Saturday, June 13, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., Bowen Island United Church will host a drive-through Strawberry Tea at the Bowen Island Legion at 1265 Scarborough Road. All

you need do is drive into the parking lot, tell us your choice from our menu and we shall bring your treats out to your car.

There will be strawberry shortcake, a plate of tasty sandwiches and two and half pound containers of fresh, local strawberries. All of this is available via donation and as this is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year, your generosity is most appreciated.

In preparation for this unique event, please join us in praying for sunshine and beautiful ripe strawberries bursting with flavour and goodness. We hope to see you Saturday!

Deadline for the grad edition is June 22: send a photo and 100 words to editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com.

Renate Jutta Williams (nee Bähre) March 22, 1934 – May 29, 2020

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Renate on Friday, May 29, 2020. She passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family, good friend Nicola Murray, flowers from her garden, candles and listening to a CD of church bells from Lübeck. Renate was born in Danzig (Gdansk), and at the age of 10 with her family fled the Nazi invasion of Poland, ending up in Lübeck, Germany. After her schooling in Germany, she spent time perfecting her knowledge of English and French by traveling and working in France, Ireland, and Switzerland. In 1956 she moved to Canada and married a handsome Canadian, university professor, Warren Williams of Edmonton, Alberta in 1959. The two spent time abroad in London and Wales eventually settling in Vancouver.

A highlight of their lives and one she recounted many times, was the fortunate gift of adopting their two children. As a family, they enjoyed travels and extended sabbaticals in London, Munich and Berlin. In 1974 Warren and Renate parted. Renate remained in West Vancouver with her children, returning to work at UBC Department of Economics, then Sport BC, and finally retiring in 1997 from BC Trade & Investment. Her move to Bowen Island became her true home and where she flourished in surrounding herself with many cherished friendships which kept her young-at-heart, engaged, inspired and where she most enjoyed sharing a bottle of wine, a good meal, laughter and lively conversation. Apart from an 8-year sojourn with Bettina in Pemberton, she found profound solace for 27 years in her friendships, the ocean, the tempo, and the flora of this Island in Howe Sound. Renate valued the importance of community which was demonstrated through her leadership in volunteerism as an active Board member of the Bowen Island Friends of the Library and Bowen Island Alliance, Chair of Seniors Keeping Young (SKY) and the President of the Bowen Island Senior Housing Cooperative. In her later life she endured many complications to her health which she accepted with courage, but did not let it dampen her spirit or positive outlook on life. She believed strongly in advocating for her health and stuck true to ensuring ‘alles in Ordnung’ with her affairs. Bathing in the salt water, attending to her small garden, connecting with family and friends soothed whatever ailed her. It’s hard to define class, but Renate had it. She was elegant, scintillating, both intellectual and wise, loyal, generous, not afraid to speak her mind. Predeceased by her father and mother Georg and Anneliese Bähre, brothers Peter and Axel Bähre; Renate, Mum, Nana, Schwestie, Auntie leaves to celebrate her memory: daughter Bettina Williams, of Burnaby, grandsons Liam Falloon of Pemberton, Nevin Falloon of Australia; son Chris Williams (Janine), granddaughter Kiera, grandson Taylor, of Coquitlam; several nieces, nephews, and cousins in Germany, sister-in-law Myrna (Williams) Dey and nieces, of Kamsack, Saskatchewan. Not to forget her devoted Schnauzer, Oscar.

Renate’s family would like to gratefully thank the nurses, doctors and staff of Vancouver General Hospital and VCH MAiD program for their thoughtful, compassionate and supportive care. The family will host a celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to make a donation in Renate’s memory, may do so to the Callanish Society at www.callanish.org.

“We need, in love, to practice only this: letting each other go. For holding on comes easily, we do not need to learn it.” (Rilke)

6 • Thursday, June 11, 2020

bowenislandundercurrent.com

REIMAR KOCH PHOTO

Firefighting practice COVID style: The Bowen Island Fire Department demonstrated proper social distancing procedure for those passing by the fire hall recently. Reimar Koch turned his car around so he could capture this snap. w

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Bowen Library is hiring!

Library Assistant – Virtual Program Coordinator Temporary (June to October)

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Bowen Library is seeking a technology inspired, creative, enthusiastic, customer service driven individual to help us establish and run virtual programs for Bowen’s kids, youth and adults. There will be plenty of opportunity to develop new and innovative online programming, as well as welcoming the public back into the library after months of closure.

The summer focus is on the new online Summer Reading Club and finding ways to connect this provincial program to our local kids and families, so an interest in or experience with children’s programming is an asset. As summer wanes, we’ll be working on new programs for all ages delivered primarily online. As we restore physical services in the library you will be part of our team welcoming patrons back into the library, guiding them through new protocols and helping make them feel safe and comfortable.

v UNDERCURRENT PHOTO

It was all smiles Monday afternoon when the new rental housing project team posed for a shot after the groundbreaking ceremony. See the full story on p. 1. Left to right: Kevin McCrea (superintendent), David Bellringer (owner), Martin Pykalo (architect), Ruth Burr (project coordinator), Peter Winckler (project manager) and Rob Purdy (owner).

Tasks and responsibilities

Responding to the new COVID reality by developing and running online library programs and welcoming the public back into the library building. ○ Planning, marketing and implementing online weekly programs for children ages 5 to 12 ○ Developing plans for ongoing online programming for a variety of ages and demographics. ○ Marketing, promoting and instructing on how to access online programs ○ Working at the library’s circulation desk or as a greeter managing new protocols for library usage, instructing customers and assisting with hygiene and safety plans

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Qualifications

○ Aged 15 to 30 years (funding requirement) ○ Tech savvy, creative, organized, customer service oriented, enthusiastic and responsible ○ Comfortable working with children, and presenting to groups of all ages.

Employment details

• This grant funded program provides for 280 hours of employment.

Our preference is for part time work at 15 – 20 hours per week for 16 weeks. (Other options such as full time for 8 weeks may be negotiable.)

• Starting as soon as possible.

• Hours and days to be determined but will include weekend days.

(Tuesday to Saturday with some remote work possible) • $16.00 per hour

How to apply

• Full job description http://bowenlibrary.ca/about-us/library-information/ jobopportunities/ • Application deadline June 21, 2020 or until position filled.

• Submit your cover letter and resume by email to info@bowenlibrary.ca

UNDERCURRENT PHOTO

Families also joined in the celebration: left to right are Lucy and David Bellringer (owners) , Annabelle, Oliver and Martin Pykalo (Architect) , Rob Purdy and Christine Hardie with Sam and Daniel (owners).

BOWEN LIFE PHOTO

Raf Izdebski of Bowen Life on Facebook and Instagram captured some of the dramatic light and clouds of late (and his daughter walking the dog)!

bowenislandundercurrent.com

Early morning ferries important for essential service workers: Mason

CONTINUED FROM P. 1

When the FAC received news of the cuts last week, it got to work to propose alternative sailings to eliminate.

BIM had done work on which sailings are most important to essential service workers and found the early morning ferries important for anyone starting at 7 a.m., primarily nurses, firefighters and police. “We felt it really important to keep those early morning sailings,” said FAC chair Melanie Mason.

The FAC then looked at the data it collected in 2016 and went through sailing by sailing and landed on the 7 p.m. from Snug Cove and 7:30 p.m. from Horseshoe Bay on Sundays and Tuesdays (the same run missing from the schedule on Saturdays). The thinking in proposing a Tuesday cut is that Monday is busy, Wednesday is already one sailing down because of dangerous cargo, Thursday is the new Friday and Fridays are busy, explained Mason. The FAC proposed its alternative to BC Ferries Monday.

“It’s an incredibly frustrating situation,” Mason told the Undercurrent. “We were unaware that in 2019, when the all the rest of our routes were returned…that these morning weekend runs had not been included in our core service contract.”

“It just feels like a bit of a [sleight] of hand really. The province gave with one hand and now is kind of taking back with the other,” she said.

“The language that BC Ferries is using is that…it would be a permanent removal from the from the schedule until a point where our passenger numbers would warrant their inclusion,” said Mason. “They have to basically pay for themselves.

“We hope to keep the dialogue going with BC Ferries to get these reinstated when passenger numbers make it possible.”

“We will monitor traffic levels and seek to make adjustments over time as demand and traffic projections warrant,” said Guenette in his email.

Hocking said that the FAC would like council to write a letter to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure asking to include all 106 sailings to the island’s core service when normal volume resumes, though the matter was left for a future council meeting.

“We’ve been very fortunate with cancellations,” said Mayor Gary Ander at the council meeting, noting how some routes had been cut entirely (though none were lifeline services). “All through the Lower Mainland, the cancellations were outrageous and we came through that relatively unscathed.”

Mason noted to the Undercurrent that Bowen isn’t the only route that’ll see reduced service––changes are coming to the Sunshine Coast, Gabriola and other Southern Gulf Islands.

Mason said that if islanders have concerns they can email the FAC (bowenfac@gmail.com). “We definitely want to hear back from the community if there’s any negative impacts because we do want to be communicating that back to BC Ferries in a timely fashion,” she said.

Other BC Ferries tidbits: •

•

• T

While BC Ferries said Monday that it would require passengers over the age of two to be in possession of a mask, this only applies to routes longer than 30 minutes (so not the Queen of Capilano).

As of mid-March the province directed BC Ferries to prioritize access for residents and essential goods and workers but ticket agents have only recently begun asking if travellers are residents (travelling to or from home) as traffic is just starting to rebound.

As per current Transport Canada regulations, the passenger capacity of the Queen of Capilano is half of what it usually is––only 229 people are allowed on board under current restrictions.

Next week’s Undercurrent is once again getting delivered to every house on the island, what would you like to see in it? Email editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com

berry Tea w a r t S Drive

June 13th

through at The

1265 Scarborough

Legion

Rd

Fundraiser for

Bowen Island United Church

11 - 3 Saturday

And our wonderful Strawberry Shortcake and or Sandwich plate by donation 2 and half pound strawberry containers of local berries available

Notice of Public Hearing HAVE YOUR SAY. Public Hearing June 22, 2020 4:00 pm

Online Meeting via Zoom

Bylaw Amendments for Short Term Rentals Amendment Bylaws No. 501, 502 & 503, 2020

What are these amendments about?

These amendments are part of the implementation for Short Term Rental Policy #19-05 to establish a regulatory framework for short term rentals on Bowen Island. The amendments are for the Land Use Bylaw, Business Licensing Bylaw and the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw.

How do I learn more?

Visit the municipal website to view the information package on these amendments: www.bowenislandmunicipality.ca/planning

Where are we now?

Council 1st Direction Reading

Questions?

Contact Emma Chow, Island Community Planner

NOV 2019

•

MAY 2020

Public Hearing

JUN 2020

3rd Reading

Bylaw Adoption

(Estimated) (Estimated) JUN 2020 JUL 2020

Speak at the Public Hearing: June 22, 2020 at 4:00 pm: 1. Email Corporate Officer (hdallas@bimbc.ca) BEFORE start of hearing with: • Subject line: “Public Hearing - Verbal Submission STR Bylaw Amendment” • Your full name, address and phone number 2. Join via Zoom and wait for your name to be called out. Get the Zoom meeting details at bowenislandmunicipality.ca/planning

604-947-4255

echow @bimbc.ca

bowenisland municipality.ca /planning

APR 2020

External 2nd Referrals Reading

Ways you can Have Your Say:

• on Bowen Island

Thursday, June 11, 2020 • 7

Write to the attention of Mayor and Council: E-mail: mayorandcouncil@bimbc.ca Mail: 981 Artisan Lane, Bowen Island, BC, V0N 1G2 To ensure a fair process, Council cannot consider any submissions received after the Public Hearing has ended.

8 • Thursday, June 11, 2020

JENNIFER THUNCHER

bowenislandundercurrent.com

A conversation about racism

Squamish Chief

PHOTO COURTESY OF RACHEL DÉCOSTE

Rachel Décoste is a Black Canadian educator, activist and pundit who has spoken nationally on issues of race.

Also, when they tracked who police stopped in Ontario, Black males had a higher chance of getting stopped than they did in New York City.

The difference is there are 40 million African Americans and only one million Black Canadians. Americans in general, even the ones on the most right-wing side of politics, will admit that slavery happened in America, and that there has been problems — they may argue that it doesn’t exist the same today, or disagree on how bad it is — but they don’t dismiss American history the way that we Canadians systemically dismiss our own history and pretend like the Underground Railroad, which lasted 30 years, was our whole history when we had hundreds of years of slavery. That is the only thing that is taught. We are only taught the stuff that makes us comfortable.

We were taught the part that we were ‘welcoming’ to enslaved Africans. They let them come in, but once they were here, could they get a job? It wasn’t a paradise. We know about how the Loyalists were treated thanks to The Book of Negroes, but that wasn’t exactly welcoming. Somehow our history has been warped to make us believe we were some type of Utopia that we weren’t.

My opinion on that is our Canadian

identity has been constructed with this fairytale that we are post-racial, that we didn’t have slavery. That is what we think makes us different from the racist Americans. And it is even more for the average Canadian to take a good look in the historical mirror because that means dismantling their identity — their national pride. It is going to take us a lot of time to catch up to the Americans and the reality of who we are, our checkered past. And that will lead to us acknowledging our checkered present and maybe then we can be more able to change for the future.

Q: If we want to start to dismantle racism and the systems that support it, on a personal level, does it start there, with educating ourselves on Black Canadian history?

A: So, I did a master’s degree recently and I did a lot of research about this, and it has been proven that education does not solve racism. Some very educated people still believe that there is a hierarchy of race.

But I think it is a start. It is good.

We need to have a curriculum that includes Aboriginal, Asian history and Black history, and not just the good parts.

That is one step, but I think the step that I would like to see is jus-

Places of Worship Welcome You BOWEN ISLAND UNITED CHURCH

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VANCOUVER Horseshoe Bay 5:50 am 6:50 am 8:00 am 9:05 am< 10:15 am 11:25 am 12:35 pm 2:35 pm 3:45 pm 4:50 pm 5:55 pm 7:10 pm 8:20 pm> 9:20 pm 10:20 pm

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Now offering a youtube channel of reflections and hymn/songs with Reverend Lorraine Ashdown and Lynn Williams. youtubewatch?v=tejV7Y6jo

we know. We can see them. We can steer away from them. We can notB apply to work at their businesses, we can see that problem and stay away from it. The white liberal has a smile and is maybe a bit hypocritical because they say the right thing, and they may vote the ‘right’ way, but if you scratch the surface, you get the same attitude as the racist. The racist might admit to theirv prejudice whereas a white liberal may not even be willing to look at it.

They have a complete blind spot, so progress is going to be slower with them. We have a lot of those here in Canada.

That is hard to break, because their identity is wrapped up in beingA proud of not being racist. When you attack somebody’s identity, it really hits at their core and can get themv wound up and offended.

So, I would encourage people to speak up — softly — to it. But sometimes no matter how carefully you bring it up, they are going to get defensive and a wall will come up.

It is such a touchy thing to say.

Sometimes the first time it is addressed the person may get offended and may cry even. But maybe a month or two or so later, I have had it happen to me, where someone has come back and said, “You were right. I didn’t want to face it, admit it, or look at it. It took some time for me to reflect and I have grown from it. And I apologize or I recognize.”

You have to start somewhere and I guarantee, if you don’t say anything and you avoid that conversation, nothing will change. So I would challenge the white readers in Squamish to read Robin DiAngelo’s book White Fragility. There are several books about this about how people behave when they are made to face their prejudice. It is a courageous conversation worth having. As a country, if we start to have those courageous conversations, especially in our white communities, our country can live up to its greatest potential. It is a patriotic act, to have that conversation.

Schedule in Effect: May 14, 2020 to June 22, 2020

Leave Snug Cove

Since video footage of George Floyd’s killing at the hands of Minneapolis police went viral and sparked mass Black Lives Matter protests across North America last week, many have been searching for a way to translate what happened into a Canadian, and Sea to Sky Corridor, context.

The Squamish Chief turned to Rachel Décoste, a Black Canadian educator, activist and pundit who has spoken nationally on issues of race, for a discussion about systemic Canadian racism and what we in Squamish can do about it.

What follows a version of that conversation that has been edited for length and clarity.

Q: What does systematic racism look like in Canada for Black Canadians?

A: It looks a lot like the American one, but it is more polite. So pick any field where African Americans have lower outcomes than white Americans, whether it is being treated equally at a bank, at school — we see detentions given at a higher number to Black students — whether it is university hiring, whether it is health care. If we go to the doctor, they tend to believe that we feel less pain. Whether it is applying for a job or within the job place when applying for promotions; law enforcement, in terms of stop-andfrisk behaviours, and with sentencing, the sentence is harsher than for what a white person would get for the same crime; politics; sports — try to play hockey while Black and see how well you are treated by the fans in the stands.

Across the board, it is very similar to the U.S., and sometimes, it is worse.

Q: How so?

A: For example, a study came out last year that compared job applications by race in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and France. Canada was worse than the U.S. if you have a “funny name.”

tice. That means punishment for the culprits. It is too easy to get away with racism today. You can spit on someone on the bus, you can not hire someone because they have a funny name, you can spew racist statements and there are no consequences. You need to have consequences for things to change.

Q: But how do we change the institutions?

A: I will use the “Q” word — quota.

Americans call it affirmative action. I would personally love to see no taxation without representation imported here. It means if there are 100 people who pay taxes and there are 75 who are white, two Blacks and two Asians and two Indigenous people, that has to be represented in government — at the city level, at the provincial level and the federal level when it comes to opportunities.

I can’t think of a single institution in Canada that looks like the people it is meant to serve — from the Supreme Court to CBC, I can’t think of a single one that looks like Canada. As Martin Luther King said, “change does not roll on the wheels of inevitability.” Meaning, you have to force it to happen. Equality doesn’t just fall from the sky.

That would ensure equal opportunity at the table for people who look like every Canadian.

And this includes women. We know when we add women to the table, businesses make more money, they do better, they are more inclusive. Why can’t we do this with racial diversity? If we are so multicultural, why are we not that way all the way up the food chain? When that happens, Canada might live up to its full potential of being the just society that my parents immigrated to and the just society that I to this day, dream of.

Q: Can you talk about white fragility?

A: The concept is not new. Both Martin Luther King and Malcolm X talked about white liberals. I can’t remember which one said it but, they said they might be worse than the racist in some ways. The racist

Crossing Time: 20 minutes Distance: 3 nautical miles Note: This is a non-reservable route * exCepT SuN aND May 18 < exCepT WeD are (DC) > exCepT SaT † DC WeDNeSDay SailiNgS Will be replaCeD by DaNgerouS Cargo SailiNgS. No oTher paSSeNgerS perMiTTeD.

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Thursday, June 11, 2020 • 9

Opening up Bowen and staying safe together: COVID town hall SHEREE JOHNSON

B.I. Health Centre Foundation

Lots of questions about businesses re-opening in phase two have been circulating around the community, so the BI Health Centre Foundation (BIHCF) and the BIM Community Economic Development Committee hosted a town hall to provide a venue for a community conversation about “Opening up Bowen and Staying Safe Together.” The Health Centre Foundation has held a number of these virtual town halls focused on the community’s physical and emotional wellbeing since the beginning of the pandemic.

At the same time, the Community Economic Development Committee (CEDC) has been hosting weekly virtual meet-ups with Bowen’s businesses to discuss their many hardships during this extraordinary time.

Sixty-two Bowen islanders attended the town hall to participate in the conversation focused on the roles that businesses, residents, and visitors all have to play as we navigate through the coming months together. The panel consisted of: Glenn Cormier, owner of the Bowen Island Pub; Jody Lorenz of Tourism Bowen; Rod Marsh, CEDC chair and owner of Quickway Paint and Drywall; Jennifer McGowan, BIHCF director and BIM Emergency Program Coordinator; Dr. Carolyn Nesbitt, psychologist; and John Pickles, Environmental Health Officer, Vancouver Coastal Health. Sheree Johnson hosted the event and Chris Corrigan facilitated.

The conversation began with a

look at the current status of the virus there’s a lack of public washrooms in the Lower Mainland where the in the cove but pointed to the ferry daily new case count is very low. washrooms, the Metro Vancouver In mid-March, B.C. was looking outhouses by the ball diamond and at new cases in the twenties and perhaps a municipally funded outnow the new cases are in the sin- house by Gardena Rd. at the entrance gle digits, VCH’s John to Crippen Park. “If Pickles noted. It’s a anybody does use “I do see our role a so-called public much better situation today but there is still a as very important washroom, the onus small amount of activis on the person and as helping ity out there, he said. using the washroom to continue to Everything the pubto make sure that manage visitors, you’re washing your lic has learned in the past few months is still it’s just this year is hands after or using applicable: stay home if going to be a little hand sanitizer,” said you’re not feeling well, Lorenz. bit different.” wash your hands, don’t One out-of-prov–Jody Lorenz touch your face, and ince home-ownstay two metres apart, Tourism Bowen Island er wanted to know said Pickles. He added when summer resithat social distancing is dents can return to the best protection and businesses Bowen. Pickles reiterated that there should look at how to maintain this are currently no official orders that distance in their COVID safety plans. prevent inter-provincial travel, howJody Lorenz said that the munic- ever, Provincial Health Officer Dr. ipality and Tourism Bowen Island Bonnie Henry, has recommended are upholding the phase two guide- that we stay in our own communilines asking people to stay home as ties. That may change as we monitor much as possible and to stay with- through phase two. If things conin their own communities, though tinue in the right direction, some some visitors are coming anyway. decisions will be made mid or to The visitor centre is currently closed. the end of the month as to what the “As soon as we do restart…a part of next phase will look like. In discusour service is going to be welcom- sion later, McGowan said that while ing people and making sure that specific messaging for summer resthey understand the health proto- idents (when the travel restricting cols,” said Lorenz. “I do see our role guidelines lift) hasn’t been on the as very important and as helping to radar, she can look into “welcome continue to manage visitors, it’s just home or welcome back” messaging this year is going to be a little bit for those unfamiliar with Bowendifferent.” specific protocols.

When it came to the age-old The next stage is phase three and question of bathrooms, Lorenz said is currently scheduled for between

June and September and depends on whether the virus transmission rate remains low or in decline. Phase three is when B&B owners can begin to welcome visitors again using the WorkSafe BC guidance for the hotel sector.

The Pub, which was take-out only at the height of the pandemic, re-opened for in-house dining June 3. Cormier talked about re-fitting his business for the COVID era.

“You have to really look at your entire operation and rethink all aspects of it,” said Cormier. He noted the importance of protecting employees and customers alike. “We make sure that from the moment [customers] come in the door, it’s clear to them…what needs to be done and help them understand what their role is in it,” said Cormier.

The Pub has created additional positions, including a person at the door at all times to talk to customers, in this safety effort.

Undertheindustryguidelinesfrom WorkSafe BC and the BC Restaurant Food Service Association, the Pub is in the same category as McDonald’s or Starbucks. “Each individual operator needs to take the guidelines… and adapt them to their particular venue,” said Cormier.

Education is key, Cormier highlighted. “We’ve had several staff meetings to make sure everybody understands what their role is,” said Cormier. “Make sure that they understand their responsibility in reporting to us their own health issues if there are any and helping them to understand what role they play in keeping our customers safe.”

Customers have been accommodating and respectful Cormier said.

But even after in-house dining resumed, the Pub’s take-out business remains strong. Cormier said that he’s looked at alternative outdoor options, though as tables get spread out servicing them becomes a challenge. One option is putting picnic tables in the parking lot on the former Pub site so that people who’ve gotten take-out can sit there.

The use of masks was of great interest to the group. There’s been no clear recommendations to businesses from WorkSafeBC unless you cannot maintain social distancing.

It is each business’s responsibility to assure their venue accommodates social distancing. The Pub’s employees, for example, are required to wear masks when delivering food and drink to customers, or other situations where they cannot maintain a two-metre distance. And Cormier added his own personal behaviour, “When I walk into a business, be it a grocery store or any other business, out of courtesy I put a mask on because as the customer coming into someone else’s workplace, I feel it my obligation to do that,” he said.

“Obviously with a restaurant, you can’t. The customers have to eat and drink.”

Participants were asked to please stay up to date with Dr. Henry’s briefings and recommendations and keep these conversations going in our community. And of course, above all else, be kind.

The full Town Hall can be viewed on the BICHF website bowenhealthcentre.com.

Bowen businesses ask...

Protect our customers.

Patient of the Week MAPLE Maple had to visit Bowen Vet for an urgent dental after she had gotten a displaced canine tooth from a unknown trauma. While Maple got her canine tooth extracted, we took the opportunity to give all of her teeth a good check-over and cleaning. As you can see, she is back to the beach good as new and ready to enjoy the Bowen summer!

Safeguard our staff.

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To schedule appointments, please call

604.947.9247

or email reception@bowenvet.com

Respect our community.

We’re all in this together!

10 • Thursday, June 11, 2020

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Further, the publishers do not accept liability for any loss of damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of an advertisement beyond the amount paid for the space actually occupied by the portion of the advertisement in which the error occurred. Any corrections of changes will be made in the next available issue. The Bowen Island Undercurrent will be responsible for only one incorrect insertion with liability limited to that portion of the advertisement affected by the error. Request for adjustments or corrections on charges must be made within 30 days of the ad’s expiration.

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FICTION CORNER Editor’s note: the following the seventh in a series of segments from Island Pacific School student Hannah Florendo’s short story continuation of Peter Pan.

Gwennie goes to Neverland HANNAH FLORENDO

Contributor

The figures were yelling and screaming and as Gwennie drew nearer, she found that they were actually chanting a name.

The six boys and a small girl were calling Peter’s name.

When Peter noticed, the change in his expression was instantaneous. His eyes sparkled even more intensely and his concentrated look was replaced with a large grin.

“Ho, there!” he shouted. “Can you get your-

selves out of your bonds?”

A skinny boy called indignantly, “Of course we can, Peter! You know we always can, but we let Hook have his fun before we escape and have ours! The look on his face is so funny then we escape before he has even had us hostages for two minutes! Can we come help?”

“Of course you can help us paralyze the pirate population! Join the fun lost boys!”

With a yell, the lost boys cut the ropes binding them in a dozen different places with a dozen different knives and daggers that they had stored on their beings. The pirates, see-

ing how energized and excited the lost boys looked at the prospect of a fight, fled to the cabin, where their captain was woken from his nap and hollered at them loudly. Peter, James, Gwennie, Annie and all the lost boys quickly escaped before Hook could find them. *** While they flew to the lost boys’ hideout on the island, Gwennie caught Peter glancing back at where they had left the pirate ship. He looked sad and Gwennie knew from the stories that her mother told her, he would never pass up a fight with Hook. But he had, probably because there were so many people he felt he had to look after, thought Gwennie.

“Peter? Are you alright?” asked Gwennie, angling her body so she flew across the group towards him.

“Yeah,” replied Peter. “It’s just that I had a

Thursday, June 11, 2020 • 11

perfect opportunity to fight Hook and, missed it.”

“I understand.” said Gwennie. “There have been lots of things I have had to pass up on too, in my life. It is hard, but you just need to keep moving.”

“Hey Peter! Quit talking with your girlfriend, and you’ll see that we’re home” called a voice from the back of the group. An outburst of snickers arose from the four boys following the one who called out.

“You’re just jealous, Curly,” Peter replied cheekily. “’Cause you don’t have a girlfriend.”

“Ooooooh, Curly got roasted!” taunts one lost boy “Be quiet!” called another boy. “Don’t hurt the feelings of fragile Mr. Curly Whirly.”

To be continued...

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You’re never alone when hiking in nature FROM EAGLES TO SALAMANDERS: TIPS TO CREATE NATURE-FILLED HIKES WITH MANY NEW WILDLIFE FRIENDS

JEN RITCHIE

Bowen Island Nature Club

Heading out for a hike can be great exercise (and one that is COVID-19approved), but the location of your hike can greatly affect what your experience will be and what nature you may encounter. Some creatures enjoy the wet, others the dry; some high airy cliffs and others dark caves.

Let’s take a look at some of the different critters you might see on different hikes all across the island.

For spotting bald eagles and turkey vultures you’ll want to head up to rocky bluffs, usually with big old-growth conifers nearby. Sitting on the bluffs awhile, I’ve often seen more than a half-dozen of these large birds at a time, circling and diving, riding the air currents.

Great spots on Bowen for watching raptors are Dorman Point and Mt. Gardner (try the lookout halfway up the Laura Rd. trail and, of course, at the summit).

Garter snakes can be common on Bowen Island and can be found in a variety of locations but they really enjoy warm dry sites, preferably on sunny rocks and under dry leaves.

Sometimes you can find them basking in the sun, right in the middle of a trail!

A few local areas to spot snakes are: the Evergreen Trails, Mike’s Lorg, or the trail around the Golf Course.

MELISSA HARRISON PHOTO

Salamanders are one of the many critters islanders may find on their COVID-friendly hiking adventures.

It’s not too difficult to plan a hike to see some Pileated Woodpeckers.

Your best bet is to venture deep into

the forest, where there are large hardwood trees all around. They enjoy snacking on insects in large

UNDERCURRENT 2020 GRAD ISSUE JUNE 25

Please submit by June 22 to editor@bowenislandundercurrent.com Max.100 words + photo.

dead snags.

Good places on Bowen to find these colorful birds are: along the

mid-island trail, or deep into the woods on Mt. Collins or Mt. Gardner.

If you’re in the mood to hang out with some red legged frogs or roughskinned newts, you’ll have to hike in marshy wetlands, surrounded by ferns, or venture into dark wet caves with standing water. Keep your eyes peeled, as they have excellent camouflage!

Some good areas for locating these critters are: along (i.e. under!) the boardwalks of Killarney lake, along the banks of Terminal Creek or inside the old mines on Mt Gardner.

Just remember to keep quiet to hear the frogs’ song, and not scare them away.

Sometimes it is not so much the “where” but “how” you hike that will give you natural rewards. For example, deer are ubiquitous on Bowen but you might not see any if you are traipsing through the bush while chatting at high volume. They will bound away, long before you reach them. Many birds will also take off if they hear a loud party approaching but might stick around if you are walking silently, alone or with a single companion.

Planning a hike based on nature viewing can add a new dimension to your exercise routine. It can connect you to the world around you in an entirely new way. With these tips in mind, I hope you create many lovely nature-filled hikes, filled with many new wildlife friends.