Vandals attacking Cowichan Estuary Nature Trail
Two of the four interpretative signs along the Nature Trail at the Dock Road were vandalized over the weekend of March 16/17 following the public hearing on the re-zoning issue on March 12. Both signs were broken off at the base and destroyed. Thinking about CERCA's cooperation agreement with Western Stevedoring and Island Savings as major sponsor of the trail project, to not only see the trail half finished but now also being vandalized is a sad story!
This senseless act of vandalism is hurting our entire community and the learning institutions using the interpretative trail as open air classroom. Hundreds of community members, classes from UVIC and Cowichan Secondary have used and enjoyed the trail as open air classroom since we finished phase I of the trail three years ago. Every year we also have taken out several groups from the Cowichan Elder College on guided trail tours. All these activities enjoy increasing popularity. The trail serves the dual purpose of being used for recreation and education and for keeping people off the Causeway as requested by Western Stevedoring , the Lessee of the Crown Lease hosting the trail (see sign at trailhead 'pedestrians use nature trail, stay off the road').
As you may recall the high quality interpretative trail signs including the illustrations at the trailhead were designed by the Royal BC Museum jointly with CERCA. The signs and Kiosk guide trail visitors through the history of the estuary highlighting its historic socio-cultural, spiritual and economic importance. The signs also describe the impacts and disturbances the trail has suffered during the last century until today through uses that are not compatible with the ecological integrity of this highly fragile ecosystem. The completion of phase I of the trail project was celebrated jointly with Lori Iannidinardo, CVRD Area D director, the President and Vice-President of Island Savings and representatives from Western Stevedoring in 2017 (see photo below)
Apart from the loss of the vandalized signs as valuable educational tools there also is a substantial economic loss involved. The cost of each sign is approximately $ 1000. The Royal BC Museum supported this CERCA project as part of their community outreach program. This incident will undoubtedly negatively affect the Museum's efforts and initiatives to work with communities in the Province.
This unfortunate incident has been reported to the police for follow-up. We sincerely hope that the culprits will be identified and put to shame. The vandalism has happened either during the night from Friday to Saturday March 15/16, or from Saturday to Sunday, March 16/17. It may safely be assumed that nobody would dare committing this heinous act during daylight hours when people are walking the trail, it therefore must have happened after official gate closure at 5pm. Since we did not find the broken off signs anywhere close to the trail, it may be assumed that the signs were trucked out. In this case the vandals must have had a key to the gate at the trailhead.
We have informed our former trail partners about this incident(i.e. BC Royal Museum, Island Savings, and Western Stevedoring). Below are first reactions received from:
the President of the Island Savings Division:
Absolutely shameful and disappointing that there are individuals who think this is acceptable. We are very saddened by this news and would like to let you know we would be happy to participate in restoring these signs to their original intention. Let us know how we can help.
the CEO of Western Stevedoring:
This is truly a sad and unfortunate incident. We certainly do not agree with this type of behaviour.
Dr. Goetz Schuerholz
Chair CERCA