Photo courtesy of Steve Crabb.


As is the case with many of our parks, the journey from private to public ownership can be a complicated and arduous business with many deals and compromises (for good or bad) being negotiated along the way. Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park was no different, and transitioned to becoming a ‘Class A’ Provincial Park by first being sold to a forestry company and then traded for logging rights in Strathcona and Wells Gray Provincial Park. The Rath family, which built the house in 1942 and eventually sold the


property, had no idea how many pairs of feet would walk through what was once the family's front door, into what is now the Nature House. In its early days, the farm house was used as housing for park employees who fondly recount tales of sharing accommodation with other ‘critters’ that also lived in the old farm house. From day one, the popularity and heavy use of the park by visitors and


locals alike created the need to provide conservation education within the park, to ensure the sustainability and preservation of Rathtrevor Park.


This role fell to park naturalists, also known as Park Interpreters.


But what is a Park Interpreter? By definition, "Interpretation is a communication process, designed to reveal meanings and relationships of our cultural and natural heritage, through involvement with objects, artifacts, landscapes and sites," as per Interpretation Canada. Simply put, interpretation is educating others about nature in an entertaining and informative way. In the 1990s interpretive programs were flourishing, with events at


provincial parks across BC seeing thousands of visitors participating annually. Participating in these engaging and educational programs while camping in a Provincial Park became synonymous with earning certificates and stickers such as garbage gobbler, history hound, and nature nut, and of course, earning the final crowning adornment of the highly coveted ‘Jerry the Moose’ cardboard antlers. Since the 1990s there were two contracts in the Provincial Parks, one


for maintenance and operation of the parks, and one for the provision of interpretation and visitor services. In 2002, drastic cuts to BC Parks saw all government funding for interpretive, educational and conservation services in Provincial Parks eliminated virtually "overnight." Ironically, park interpretation throughout BC, which was known for its lively re- enactments of historical events and storytelling, had now become a ghost story itself. However, for those who visit BC Provincial Parks on Vancouver Island, the story does not end there. RLC Park Services holds the contracts to manage many of Vancouver


Island’s Provincial Parks and although these contracts do not include any government funding for park interpretation, RLC continues to dig into its own pockets and find ways to keep the Nature House alive. Rick Carswell,


the owner of RLC, has spent his entire working career in provincial parks and his passion for parks is evident in his commitment to park interpretation. He continues to employ interpreters and maintain the infrastructure that keeps not only the Rathtrevor Beach Nature House doors open, but also its sister nature houses at Goldstream Provincial Park in Victoria and Miracle Beach in Black Creek, with zero funding from the government. RLC employee and biologist/Park Interpreter Allison Roberts, who manages the three nature houses, is also passionate about making sure these houses remain viable and open for visitors to enjoy. In order to make that happen, says Allison, “unfortunately, without core funding, fundraising has become a huge portion of my job, but I continue because it is becoming increasingly evident that children (and adults) need an opportunity to be connected to nature. And that is my job as a park naturalist – facilitating the connection” It is a sad reality that across BC, park amphitheatres sit silently and


nature houses remain closed to the public. This would surely be the case on Vancouver Island if not for the dedication of RLC Park Services. Oceanside is very fortunate to retain this valuable resource. The Rathtrevor Beach Nature House continues to vibrate with the hum of children and adults alike, whether they are campers or local residents. Come dig into the interactive displays, be entertained and informed


by a Park Interpreter, be wowed by the amazing nature that is our ‘backyard’, and peruse the diverse collection of books displayed in the gift shop. All proceeds go towards funding the educational programs. RLC’s Park Interpreters are busy leading school classes from School District 69 in May and June, hosting the Brant Festival Kids Camp in March, as well as hosting community events such as BC Day and introducing park visitors to ‘edu-tainment’, through the many interpretive programs they offer. The Rathtrevor Beach Nature House is open to the public all summer long and also part-time in the spring and fall. So if you visit Rathtrevor Beach during these seasons, keep your eyes open for the peach stucco farm house and make sure you stop by to say hello and perhaps learn something new about our much loved Rathtrevor Beach. Want to find out how you can help? Interested in Volunteering? IT


Wish to make a donation? Visit: www.naturehouse.ca. Many thanks to Allison Roberts for her help with this article. Allison, as well


as being a biologist and park naturalist, is also a gifted Park Interpreter. Watch for her on Shaw Community Television; her segments about Vancouver Island Parks make learning about nature fun and informative.


Read this article and more at www.islandtimesmagazine.ca. islandtimesmagazine.ca | 17


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