B.C. bestselling author James D. Anderson will describe the evolution of BC Parks this Thursday, drawing on his book British Columbia’s Magnificent Parks: The First 100 Years.
Anderson will present photographs and insights about the development of the BC Park System at the Courtenay Library on Thursday from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Admission is free.
With nearly 1,000 parks scattered across the province, Anderson will address some of the biggest challenges the park system has overcome and the issues that continue to spark controversy at the Courtenay Library event. As well, he’ll talk about many of Vancouver Island’s local parks, present images of some of the most breathtaking parks in the province and sign copies of his bestselling book.
British Columbians often take the glories of their provincial parks for granted and assume that the park designation is enough to protect the areas from development. During one of the most significant periods of its history, Anderson played an important role in its progress and will share personal stories of the arks.
Anderson will discuss Vancouver Island’s Strathcona Provincial Park, which epitomized the concerns of all the parks as it battled conflicting interests of resource development, land conservation and recreational use. British Columbia’s Magnificent Parks reminds readers that the parks are revered not only by the thousands of visitors every year but also by naturalists around the world.
Anderson resides in Victoria and spent more than 30 years with the BC Parks Branch. He was involved in almost every aspect of parks management and creation and had a front row seat during the most dramatic period of the park system’s growth.
For more information regarding Anderson’s Courtenay Library event in Courtenay, contact the library at 250-334-3369 or contact Evelyn at Laughing Oyster Books at 250-334-2511. For more information regarding the BC Parks centennial, go to www.bcparks.ca.
— Courtenay Library
