In early 2024 GaLTT and GIMS (Gabriola Island Memorial Society) initiated a petition to the BC Legislature to encourage the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) to relinquish its control of the 40-acre “Barrett Quarry property—a mature forest with high conservation values which is currently zoned as a gravel pit—and transfer it to another level of government for protection. Only 12% of Gabriola is protected (far less than the average in the Gulf Islands), so the vision GaLTT and GIMS have for the property is to keep it as parkland, with 5 acres reserved for a natural burial site. The petition was presented to the Legislature by MLA Doug Routley on May 15th.
Click the links to visit specific areas of this page:
- Background (about Honeysuckle Woods, conservation and community values, actions GaLTT has taken)
- Snuneymuxw First Nation and consultation
- What’s Next (what we plan to do)
- Natural Burial FAQs
- Learn more (timeline, in the news, resources)
The Background
At the end of Honeysuckle Lane, surrounded by residential neighbourhoods, is a forest valued by our community for recreational trail use and neighbourhood connection. The upland area of the property is mature Douglas-fir forest while the north-facing slope is rare, ecologically sensitive Cliff habit, with a few very large old-growth Douglas-fir trees (greater than 250 years old) scattered throughout. The lower area is primarily open-grown bigleaf maple.
The Gabriola Land and Trails Trust (GaLTT) and the Gabriola Island Memorial Society (GIMS) want to see this 40-acre parcel (PID 012-350-711) transferred in its entirety to another level of government to hold as protected public parkland. The land is currently zoned as a gravel pit. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) holds the licence for its use and calls it the Barrett Quarry; we call it Honeysuckle Woods.
GaLTT and GIMS are fully committed to conservation and earth-friendly land use. We firmly believe this land is inappropriate for industrial resource extraction and should be kept in its natural state. We think preserving the 40-acre property for conservation, community access to trails and the creation of a natural burial site represents the highest and best land use for the Gabriola community. This is a unique opportunity for a collaborative community initiative to meet important conservation and ecological protection goals while servicing a community need.
While our vision for Honeysuckle Woods reflects the focus of our respective mandates, both GaLTT and GIMS recognize that Snuneymuxw First Nation has legal rights in matters of Crown land. The transfer of the “Barrett Quarry” property will not happen without the consent of the SFN; their agreement is essential to any future plans for the site.
Watch retired research forest scientist Rob Brockley talk about the land and its potential.
OUR VISION
GaLTT and GIMS wants to see the 40-acre parcel, in its entirety, transferred to another level of government who will hold the land as public parkland. The BC Sponsored Crown Grant program facilitated the transfer of 65 hectares of provincially managed land to create the S’ul-hween X’pey (Elder Cedar) Nature Reserve in 2006. We believe this program or something similar could be utilized for Honeysuckle Woods.
The whole of the new park reserve would include trails for passive recreational use, and ideally include the creation of an accessible trail. While there may be some re-routing in places, we anticipate few changes to the existing trail network. Public use would be maintained.
In the most suitable area of the park, after consultation with geotechnical and other experts, up to 5 acres would be delineated for a natural burial site/memorial park (more information below) to be designed and maintained by GIMS. An area in the burial park exclusively for members of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, if they so wished, would be created in consultation with them.
GaLTT and GIMS support protecting the conservation and passive recreation values of Honeysuckle Woods in perpetuity, and we both believe the inclusion of a natural burial site is entirely consistent with that vision.
A natural burial site. Photo courtesy of the Saltspring Natural Cemetery
WHY OUR VISION MAKES SENSE
The continued destruction and fragmentation of natural habitat threatens the health and sustainability of Gabriola’s ecosystems and our community. Only 12% of Gabriola is currently protected, which is far less than most Gulf Islands. (The average for the Trust Area is 20%, and the BC Government recently set a goal of protecting 30% of the province’s landbase.) Our undisturbed island ecosystems are quickly disappearing and becoming increasingly fragmented. Canada, BC and Indigenous leaders recently signed an agreement to protect 30% of BC’s land by 2030. Protecting this land could help contribute to that goal.
Honeysuckle Woods contains rare and sensitive habitat with significant conservation value. It is surrounded by residential neighbourhoods and is a relatively undisturbed and beautiful forest with well used walking trails. For these reasons and others, it is unsuitable for an open-pit mining operation. Its acquisition as community parkland would ensure protection and public access in perpetuity.
Preliminary evaluation by a specialist in hydrogeology indicates the quantity and quality of gravel for extraction on the land is likely substandard while the soil and land attributes are likely favourable to establishing an area for green burial. More investigative work is needed. MoTI has TWO zoned gravel pits on Gabriola, Honeysuckle Woods and the South Road Firehall site. MoTI doesn’t need 2 gravel pits on Gabriola. Road building and resurfacing projects on Gabriola, including in recent years, have not used gravel resources from either MoTI site. MoTI has no immediate plans to extract gravel from the property, but says future open-pit mining at a larger scale may be necessary to provide materials for large-scale infrastructure projects.
Gabriola needs a new site for full body burials and the community strongly supports that it be a natural burial site. Acquiring land that is suitable for burial in terms of soil depth and composition, setback from wells, and ease of access is challenging and with the high cost of land on Gabriola currently, it is prohibitive for a small community non-profit society to acquire.
THE PETITION
GaLTT and GIMS staff met with MoTI staff in October 2022, but despite a positive first meeting and agreement to meet again soon, MoTI staff declined further engagement to discuss this important project. In fact, a few months after this meeting, in March 2023, MoTI erected “NO TRESPASSING” signs on the property knowing this is well-loved forest land long used by our community for passive recreation and community connection.
Local politicians supported our initiative, but we were advised that showing that there is strong community support for protection is a prerequisite for getting the BC government to even consider the possibility of a transfer. Therefore in early 2024 GaLTT and GIMS initiated the following petition to the Legislature (edited to essentials):
…that the 40 acres… currently held by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) and zoned as a gravel pit be transferred to the community given:
1) Gabriola ecosystems are under-protected; these lands are largely untouched and have important ecological/conservation values that outweigh their industrial value as a gravel pit;
2) The presence of a natural burial site will address community capacity issues and is consistent with conservation values and continued public access.
Your petitioners respectfully request that the Honourable House recommend to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure that it begin consultations with Snuneymuxw First Nation and the Gabriola area residents for the purpose of transferring this land as outlined above.
Presenting the petition
Four members of the Honeysuckle Woods project team (Hugh Skinner, Rob Brockley, and Anne Landry from GaLTT and Kristina Baerg from Gabriola Island Memorial Society) were in attendance at the BC Legislature on May 15th to watch local MLA Doug Routley formally present the “Save Honeysuckle Woods” petition, signed by almost 1200 Gabriolans.
Later that day, the project team had a 30-minute meeting with the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI), Rob Fleming, and his senior staff. They were joined by MLA’s Doug Routley and Sheila Malcomson. Rob and Kristina briefed the Minister on the Honeysuckle Woods proposal, pointing out that the undeveloped Barrett Quarry has never been used for gravel extraction and that MoTI has other gravel source options on the island. Rob highlighted the high conservation value of the 40 forested acres while Kristina focused on the need for a new natural burial site due to capacity constraints at the existing Gabriola Cemetery.
The Minister listened attentively to the presentation and asked several questions about the property and the proposal. The Minister agreed to have his staff look more carefully into MoTI’s continuing need for the property and to provide GIMS and GaLTT with the outcome of that analysis, including any potential future actions. The project team left the meeting with a positive feeling that progress has been made and look forward to receiving MoTI’s formal response.
SFN and consultation
With respect to the Honeysuckle Woods initiative, GaLTT wishes to affirm the following:
- GaLTT firmly supports all forms of consultation with the SFN—both formal and informal—about the proposed Honeysuckle Woods land transfer. Our recent petition asks the BC government to initiate formal consultation with SFN if, and when, the “Barrett Quarry” land is relinquished by MoTI and becomes available for other uses.
- GaLTT cannot be a part of formal negotiations with the SFN regarding Honeysuckle Woods, as we are neither a government body nor the owners of the land in question. However, our desire has always been to informally meet with SFN to share our vision for the land and to receive their input. Over the past several months, we have reached out many times and in different ways, and we will continue to do so.
- GaLTT remains open-minded regarding ultimate ownership and management of the property and to any alternate proposals. No final disposition of the land may be made without the consent of the Snuneymuxw First Nation; their agreement is essential to any future plans for the site.
GaLTT seeks a positive, respectful relationship with the SFN and have been proactive over the past few years reaching out in the spirit of relationship building and reconciliation. We have invited their participation and feedback on the Honeysuckle Woods initiative, we keep them apprised of developments, and we have expressed our desire to meet with them at a time and location of their choosing, while recognizing that our priorities for action are not theirs.
We have always known and agree that the transfer of the Honeysuckle Woods land must be supported by the SFN and that formal consultation between the provincial government and SFN would be an important early step in the process. However, it is important to note there won’t be a land transfer of any kind, to any entity or for any purpose, unless MoTI can first be convinced to relinquish control of the “Barrett Quarry” property and surrender its license to extract gravel from it. The purpose of the petition that was recently presented in the BC Legislature by local MLA Doug Routley (which was supported by a quarter of Gabriola residents) was to show MoTI and the BC Government that there is strong support for more ecologically appropriate uses for that land.
The amount of protected land on Gabriola lags behind most other Gulf Islands and there are few opportunities for acquiring more. Acquiring Honeysuckle Woods for public parkland with a small, natural burial site aligns with our organizational mandate and would fulfill two important community needs. However, we are mindful of its “Crown” land status and see SFN involvement in the process of determining its disposition as an absolute requirement. We’re hoping the petition and our recent meeting with the MoTI Minister will help kickstart a process of meaningful government-to-government consultation between the SFN, Province of BC, Islands Trust, and Regional District of Nanaimo.
What’s next?
GalTT and GIMS will follow-up with the Minister to determine what actions are currently being pursued with regard to the Honeysuckle Woods lands. We will continue to reach out to SFN and keep them informed as to our activities.
Natural burial FAQs
What is natural burial?
Natural and green burial are terms often used interchangeably to describe burial practices that prioritize simplicity, sustainability, and the preservation of native ecosystems. Unlike conventional burials which often use non-biodegradable materials and toxic chemicals, natural burials only use earth-friendly materials that decompose over time with the body, gently merging with the earth. There are several sites where natural burial is practiced in British Columbia, including full natural burial sites on Denman and Salt Spring Islands.
It was the collaborative efforts of the Denman Island local conservancy and memorial society that led to the creation of the Denman Island Natural Burial site in 2013.
How large would the burial site be and what will it look like?
The natural burial site area would be about five acres. The establishment of a natural or green burial site upholds conservation values, utilizing native vegetation and minimizing disturbance to the natural surroundings. One of the most important goals of green burial is to ensure native habitat is restored once the burial is completed. Disturbed areas would be naturally regenerated with shrubs, herbaceous species, and mosses and supplemented with native plantings where necessary. The forest cover would remain largely undisturbed.
Where would the burial site be?
If we are successful in getting Honeysuckle Woods transferred to the community, there would be professional analyses of soil, hydrology, and other important values, as well as community involvement before any decisions are made. There won’t be a natural burial site at Honeysuckle Woods unless a safe, appropriate site can be located. Our immediate priority is to get the Honeysuckle Woods property protected so it can never be used for open-pit gravel extraction.
What about increased traffic and parking?
Potential traffic impacts and parking are clearly valid concerns that must be adequately addressed if we are successful in acquiring the property. We are committed to working with the final landholder and neighbouring residents to find acceptable solutions.
We don’t expect a significant increase in traffic overall. The current cemetery has, on average, 12 interments a year with about 5 to 15 people attending each. It is unlikely that use of the property for passive recreation will differ significantly from current use.
Would a natural burial site cause soil contamination?
After the property is acquired, extensive soil/hydrological testing and consultation would determine whether the property is suitable for natural burial.
If a safe, appropriate site can’t be located, then there won’t be a natural burial site at Honeysuckle Woods, and the entire property would become public parkland.
Most cemetery pollution comes not from the body but from the stuff often buried with it – coffins treated with varnish and sealers, synthetic fibers, embalming fluids, concrete vaults, and toxic ingredients from fertilizers used in landscaping by traditional cemeteries. Natural burial sites do not allow use of any of these. Strict provincial regulations and monitoring are in place to ensure the safe establishment and operation of burial sites. There will be no burial site at Honeysuckle Woods if soil and hydrological studies indicate there is not a safe zone in which to establish it.
Learn More
TIMELINE
- May 22, 2024: Article in Gabriola Sounder
- May 16, 2024: Letter to Minister Fleming
- May 15, 2024: GaLTT and GIMS representatives met with Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Rob Fleming and his senior staff to explain why Honeysuckle Woods was worth saving from gravel pit activities and more suited for conservation and a potential green burial site.
- May 15, 2024: MLA Doug Routley presented a petition to the BC Legislature from 1184 Gabriolans requesting that the Honourable House recommend to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure that it begin consultations with Snuneymuxw First Nation, Gabriola area residents, the Regional District of Nanaimo and the Islands Trust for the purpose of transferring the 40 acres for
- May 1, 2024: Article in Gabriola Sounder
- April 30, 2024: Letter to Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Rob Fleming
- April 24, 2024: Article in Gabriola Sounder
- April 22, 2024: Letter to SFN
- January 25, 2024: Request for meeting with SFN Chief & Council
- December 12, 2023: Campaign and petition launch Article in Gabriola Sounder
- December 12, 2023: Letter to SFN.
- June 13, 2023: Meeting with MLA Doug Routley.
- January 18, 2023: Letter to Islands Trust local Trustees
- October 11, 2022: Meeting with MOTI staff.
- June 28, 2022: Meeting with MLA Doug Routley and other elected representatives.
- May 9, 2022: Letter to MLA Doug Routley
