When Meg Fellowes visited the highly urbanized city of Hong Kong in January, she did not expect to encounter a reminder of the wilderness of the Squamish Estuary. Yet Fellowes, a director of the Squamish Environmental Society (SES), discovered a unique conservation project positioned within the heart of the city and it has inspired her to create a similar vision for the Squamish Estuary.
"They have an absolutely fabulous facility there, the Hong Kong Wetland Park," said Fellowes. "It's both a tourism facility and an education facility - primarily it's a conservation facility."
Situated at the northern part of Tin Shui Wai in Yuen Long, the Hong Kong Wetland Park is an ecological mitigation area for the wetlands lost due to new town development in Tin Shui Wai. The park comprises of a 10,000 square-metre visitor centre, a Wetland Interactive World and a 60-hectare wetland reserve. Exhibition galleries showcase the importance of wetlands for biodiversity, civilization and conservation. The reserve consists of re-created habitats designed for waterfowl and other wildlife.
Fellowes said she believes that taking into consideration all the challenges facing the Squamish Estuary in terms of recreational, industrial and municipal use, Squamish could benefit from the creation of a similar type of park.
"If we actually raise the profile of this area, it would be a really good thing," she said. "And I think it would be fabulous for the community to have something to dream about down here and to be able to build into as well."
Emphasizing that the project is still in its early days, Fellowes said SES has initiated the first step of the long-term vision - the implementation of an interpretive sign project for the estuary. Thanks in part to a grant from Squamish Savings and co-operation from BC Parks and the District of Squamish, the project is underway with the aim to have the interpretive signs ready by September.
"There is no information for people to understand the value of the wetland, and also the kind of do's and don'ts around the estuary itself," Fellowes said, adding that the five signs will be posted at strategic locations along the Chelem Trail [near the Squamish Spit] as well as an information board set up at the trailhead.
And it is a collaborative effort, said Fellowes, explaining that BC Parks and community groups are interested in contributing to the project.
"The Squamish Windsports Society is really keen as well, so I think there is quite a good group of people that can do some really cool stuff," she said.
Local artist Zoe Evamy's artwork will adorn the signs.
"This collaboration has given me a deeper insight into the estuary trail systems and the wildlife it supports," said Evamy. "Including local art in the project is a wonderful way to communicate a sense of place and to show elements and details that are not necessarily immediately obvious to the naked eye.
"So much of the estuary ecosystem is hidden in grasses, in mud and changes with the seasons and the tides," she said. "I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to be part of this mutually rewarding and educational experience and look forward to collaborating on similar projects in the future."
The long-term vision for the estuary involves not only interpretive trails, but also a nature house and a lab for kids. It would cater to kids of all ages, because people are inherently curious, said Fellowes.
"I think there is an enormous opportunity and a market for that kind of facility here and of course we have an education focus in this town anyway with Quest University, Capilano University and the North Vancouver Outdoor School."
According to Fellowes, the Squamish Estuary is an exceptional ecosystem worth protecting.
"An estuary, by definition, is the coming together of the river and the land and the ocean and is a very special place, a very biologically-rich place," she said.
"I feel there is an enormous untapped market going by on the highway... and I think outdoor recreation is great but I believe Squamish is much more than outdoor recreation."
