Catherine Marie Gilbert Books

This account chronicles the century-long endeavor to define, access, preserve, develop, and exploit the stunning wilderness of Strathcona Provincial Park on Central Vancouver Island. Spanning 250,000 hectares, the park is bordered by Clayoquot Sound to the west, Port Alberni to the south, and the former Esquimalt and Nanaimo land grant to the east. With its breathtaking mountains, lakes, and waterfalls, it is a paradise for nature lovers. However, beneath this serene facade lies a tumultuous history. The narrative explores the competing interests that sought to protect, define, or control this wilderness—from Indigenous Peoples who have inhabited the land for millennia, to European explorers and industrialists focused on its natural resources, and early conservationists and settlers aiming to preserve it as a recreational haven for British Columbia's growing population and emerging tourism industry. Over the past century, Strathcona Provincial Park has been at the heart of some of British Columbia's most intense public debates, balancing economic ambitions against environmental concerns. This detailed account, richly illustrated with archival and contemporary photographs and maps, reveals the park's captivating history, complex legacy, and stunning natural beauty.