"Owed" to Wildwood
Merve's practices of maintaining continuous forest cover, leaving snags for wildlife habitat, and leaving large woody debris to enrich the forest floor, illustrate the high value he places on ecosystem function. His logging program, dictated by the productivity limits of the forest over the long term, has resulted in the creation of a magnificent and actively harvested forest that maintains ecological and economic values for future generations. Wildwood is living proof that even one person, with patience and insight, can truly make a significant difference in the world.
In early 1999, the future of Wildwood looked very uncertain. Merve didn't have ownership of the property and there was a real threat that it could be sold for development. Recognizing the ecological and educational values of Wildwood, The Land Conservancy of British Columbia began negotiations with the owners of the property. Eventually, a mutually-satisfactory arrangement was reached.
The landowners agreed to sell the property for its appraised value of just over a million dollars. In exchange, Merve gets to remain on the property as long as he wishes and he can continue to be involved in the management of forest. The arrangement ensures that Wildwood will be "preserved in perpetuity as an ecoforestry demonstration site and learning facility" as it will be covenanted and will be managed in cooperation with the Ecoforestry Institute.
The Institute seeks to foster the development of a forest management system which values, protects and promotes ecological integrity, community vitality and economic opportunity.
Since December 2000, $670,000 of the principle has been paid, leaving $370,000 remaining to be raised.
We would like to encourage individuals or groups to contribute to this important conservation effort by making a donation to The Land Conservancy of BC and/or purchasing a copy of the CD "Shade of Our Trees" from Holly Arntzen.
Directions to Wildwood
- Heading north (from Victoria):
- Just past Ladysmith, turn right at the set of lights onto Cedar Road
- Drive along Cedar Road for 5 minutes; turn right at the Husky Station on to Yellow Point Road
- Drive for 10 minutes (you’ll pass Yellow Point Lodge and Roberts Memorial Park)
- Turn left onto Crane Road
- Heading south (from Nanaimo):
- Turn onto Cedar Road at the south end of Nanaimo (Southgate)
- Cross the Nanaimo river and turn right (you will still be on Cedar Road)
- Turn left onto Yellow Point Road and drive about 5 km
- Turn right onto Crane Road
Relevant LInks:
Holly Arntzen. http://www.hollyarntzen.ca/
The Ecoforestry Institute. http://www.ecoforestry.ca.
The Land Conservancy of British Columbia. http://www.conservancy.bc.ca/