Princess Louisa Inlet Photo: Elana Shepert / Vancouver Is Awesome
The Princess Louisa Inlet is a place of arresting beauty: From the soaring granite walls that rise sharply from the ocean to the crashing rapids of Chatterbox Falls, the inlet rouses the spirit.
And while much of this pristine paradise is protected, a whopping 800 hectares of watershed and 4.5 kilometres of waterfront are up for sale.
The BC Parks Foundation, the official charitable partner of BC Parks, hopes to raise enough money to buy the land before it will be presented to other potential buyers. They have already raised $2 million, but they need to raise a total of $3 million before the deadline.
The deadline is this August.
Vancouver Is Awesome spoke to Andrew Day, Chief Executive Officer, BC Parks Foundation, about why the inlet is unique among British Columbia's natural treasures.
"It's kind of a mecca for boaters, certainly up and down the Pacific Northwest," notes Day. "You kind of just get enchanted by the place."
The Princess Louisa Inlet has been a premier boating destination for over 100 years, and much of the financial support thus far has came from the boating community.
Day adds that the inlet is also home to a range of wildlife, including grizzly bears, mountain goats, a spectacular variety of birds, and many marine animals. In addition, the lush watershed houses lichen and moss communities, as well as other flora and fauna.
"Whenever you've got old-growth forests, you've got lots of biodiversity," he remarks. "Not just British Columbians, but people from all around the world recognize how unique and special this place is."
What's more, James Bruce Falls, which is the highest measured waterfall in North America, crashes an awe-inspiring 2,755 feet down the inlet's triumphant, sheer granite face and into Chatterbox Falls. Chatterbox Falls is protected in the Princess Louisa Marine Provincial Park, which Day hopes to bundle with the land that's for sale. Once connected, this magnificent park would span 9,000 hectares.
Chatterbox Falls Photo: Elana Shepert / Vancouver Is Awesome
Princess Louisa Inlet dock Photo: Elana Shepert / Vancouver Is Awesome
Day underscores that the future of the inlet is entirely uncertain if the money isn't raised in time; the land could be at risk of being logged and developed.
How can you help?
"We are hoping British Columbians come out the same way people did with crowd-sourced funding for Notre Dame. We're looking for that same outpouring of support for one of B.C.'s most beautiful places. That's one way people can help, and we have an urgent August deadline," explains Day.
"Every little bit counts."
For more information on how you can help, visit the BC Parks Foundation online.
Princess Louisa Inlet water Photo: Elana Shepert / Vancouver Is Awesome
Photo: Elana Shepert / Vancouver Is Awesome
Princess Louisa Inlet for sale sign Photo: Elana Shepert / Vancouver Is Awesome
