Gulf Islands National Park Reserve

Canada’s fifth smallest national park consists of portions of 16 islands, and over 50 islets and reefs. Ocean waters within 200 metres of the park’s shoreline are part of the park, with even larger areas protected around Portland and Sidney islands, the Belle Chain Islets, and Tumbo and Cabbage islands. The park protects “one of the most ecologically important-and most at risk-natural areas in southern Canada”(Parks Canada). 

Mountain ranges on Vancouver Island and the Olympic Peninsula trap the moisture arriving with the Pacific winds, leaving our islands to enjoy Mediterranean-like weather-a warm and dry spring, summer, and fall, and a moderately wet but mild winter. This rain shadow effect “is what spawned an ecosystem unique in Canada” (Parks Canada).

Many animals and plants in the area are not found elsewhere in Canada. A total of 28 species are listed as Endangered, Threatened or of Special Concern, ranging from Orcas to the Sharp-tailed snake. Human impact on the islands since the turn of the last century-logging, commercial fishing, residential development, and increased visitor traffic-has threatened, and continues to threaten, these rich island ecosystems. The creation of the national park helps protect the islands in perpetuity and, hopefully, encourages all of us to better appreciate the natural and cultural uniqueness of this area.

Thanks for treating our park well. For more information visit www.pc.gc.ca/gulf. 

Part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve on North Pender: Roesland

Like most of North Pender Island, Roesland was once a farm operation. In 1905, Scottish immigrant Robert Roe purchased land that stretched from Otter Bay to Shingle Bay and included Roe Lake. Robert, Margaret, and their four children cleared more than 30 acres for pasture and a garden and built a home, barn and several outbuildings. In 1910, they added a cabin for visiting family and friends. Its popularity spurred the idea for a holiday farm-resort.

Each winter they built one or two more cabins and by 1950 had seventeen. The cabins were basic: wood floors, shake roofs, two double beds and wood-burning stoves. Guests brought their own bedding, dishes, cutlery and cooking utensils, and had to carry their own water in buckets from the well. By 1927, the resort had a store for guests and commercial fishermen, and a marine fuel station on an island in Otter Bay.

Robert Roe died in 1969, and the resort was purchased by David and Florence Davidson who would operate it for almost 20 years. In the fall of 1991, Roesland Resort ceased operation. Six years later it was acquired to become part of the new Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (GINPR).  As well as protecting the natural environment, the national park reserve is committed to protecting the park reserve’s cultural heritage. A variety of initiatives, including an archaeology program, an oral history program, a conservation program and ongoing research, help the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve to identify cultural sites needing protection. Through research undertaken so far, the GINPR recognizes the important story to be told at Roesland.

GINPR began its job of interpreting this site with an assessment of the existing buildings. Only select buildings were identified for conservation, including the 1908 Roe house, which has been painstakingly and beautifully restored by the Pender Island Museum Society in partnership with the GINPR. Six cabins and Bert and Irene Roe’s house have been removed. Great care was taken in their removal so that the natural landscape was not scarred. The remaining cabins, which span the time from the 1930s to the 1960s, will stay in place to tell the story of the resort. The long-term vision for the site is to restore the buildings, including the repair or replacement of windows, doors, siding and logs, and to furnish them to reflect the way they looked in their respective time periods.

You can visit this restoration site and the Pender Islands Museum on your way to the Roe Islet trail walk.