For the May get together of the Nanaimo Historical Society, Bill Merilees, a prominent BC naturalist, educator, and conservationist will lead a guided field trip around Buttertubs Marsh.
=0D=0A=Bill will interpret the scope of the full circle of land use and development history of the now reclaimed wetland and sanctuary.
=0D=0A=The Hudson Bay Company purchased the marsh in the mid-1800s, draining it for vegetable farming and a dairy cattle farm. During wartime the reclaimed land served as a military camp and training ground. A bird nesting platform now stands on an old concrete base of a military radio antenna. Threatened to be built over during a housing boom in the 1970s the Nature Trust of British Columbia purchased 50 acres in 1974 to form the Buttertubs Marsh Conservation Area.
=0D=0A=In 1990 Bill started the first ButterTubs Management Committee, known later as the Friends of Buttertubs.
=0D=0A=Meet at the brick Miner’s Cottage (built 1910-1912) at Jinglepot Road and Second Street. Note: there is parking , and alternative parking can be found at the other side of the marsh on Buttetubs Drive, off Bowen Road, requiring a walk through the Marsh to the Miner’s Cottage.
DTSTART:19691231 DTEND:19700101 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR