Towering trunks and thick canopies will be the focus of a new community initiative starting May 10, as Kitimat-area residents are invited to join volunteer-led hikes to explore and record some of the oldest trees in the Kitimat River valley.
“This is the first time this has been done in the area,” said Patricia Lange, project coordinator.
The Big Tree Quest begins with two guided hikes: the first departs from Riverlodge at 9:30 a.m. on May 10 and explores trails in Kitimat River Provincial Park. A second hike takes place May 31 along Joe’s Trail, also departing Riverlodge at 9:30 a.m. These free public events aim to teach simple techniques for measuring tree height, circumference and canopy — skills that allow participants to contribute entries to the UBC Big Tree Registry.
“People are always interested in anything large. But because these trees are also ancient, pre-colonial, they’ve seen a lot of history and they’re a little bit magical,” Lange said.
A Giant Spruce in Kitimat was once recorded as the largest in B.C. However, it has since lost that distinction after losing its top half and being surpassed by others in the southern part of the province. Its legacy, however, helped spark local interest in the region’s old growth and contributed to the push to document more of Kitimat’s forest giants. “Of course we hope to find some to replace our Giant Spruce as a winner but just being on the list is an honour and a way to highlight our giants for conservation and tourism,” Lange said.
Although northern trees typically do not reach the same heights as those in southern forests, Lange said the experience of standing among them remains powerful. “We have amazing pockets of old growth.”
The UBC Big Tree Registry is a province-wide initiative to identify, document, monitor and protect the largest known trees of each species in British Columbia, while engaging the public in conservation efforts. Originally established in 1986 by the B.C. Forestry Association and inspired by the work of outdoor advocate Randy Stoltmann, the registry has changed hands several times before finding a permanent home in the Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia in 2010.
Kitimat's Big Tree Quest aims to find and document 100 notable old growth trees in the Kitimat Valley over three years. One of its goals is to map these giants and encourage visitation to their areas. So far, five Kitimat trees are listed in the registry, but many local hikers are familiar with others that could qualify.
The Kitimat Valley Naturalists will guide as many groups and individuals as express interest. So far this spring, they have scheduled two public outings, two school groups, an ESL class, and a couple of Girl Guide groups. Participants will also have the opportunity to name a special tree and take part in citizen science.
A training session is planned for avid hikers who want to learn how to gather data for submission to the registry. These trained groups will later explore further into the backcountry, while the public hikes are designed to be accessible for families, children and seniors.
“We really feel that one of Kitimat’s major assets is the old growth—I think ours is the best on the North Coast,” Lange said.
The Big Tree Quest is being coordinated by the Watershed Stewardship Group, which includes the District of Kitimat, BC Nature, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Kitimat Valley Naturalists, Douglas Channel Watch, and the Rod and Gun Club.
The scheduled hikes are expected to take a couple of hours. Participants should bring water, snacks, and wear clothing suitable for light hiking.
