WestCoast WILD

Such an incredible day yesterday at WestCoast Wild Zipline! Most of our crew trained with the WestCoast Search and Rescue Team and the Alberni Vally Rescure Squad. We all learned and discovered a lot about working together for the safety of our crew as well as our customers. Thank you very much to all the dedicated people who volunteer their time to rescue the injured or search for the lost.

ʔiisaak (IISAAK) is a priority here at WestCoast Wild Zipline. The Nuu-chah-nulth concept of ʔiisaak, often translated as "respect," means much more than just the English word. It encompasses a deep understanding of observing, appreciating, and acting accordingly in relation to the natural world and all living things. It's considered the highest law in the Nuu-chah-nulth legal and governance system. 🏡🩷

Respecting the forest means preserving the delicate balance of plants, wildlife, soil, and water that make up a living ecosystem. Whether hiking, camping, or living nearby, conscientious stewardship ensures woodlands can adapt, regenerate, and thrive for generations to come.

Follow Leave No Trace: Pack out all trash, avoid disturbing soil or rocks, and stay on marked trails to prevent erosion and the trampling of native vegetation.

Protect Riparian Zones: Never dump yard waste, chemicals, or grass clippings near streams or rivers, as doing so can introduce invasive species and smother natural habitats.

Manage Fires Responsibly: Adhere strictly to local fire bans, use established fire pits, and completely extinguish campfires with water and stir until cold to the touch.

Respect Wildlife: Observe animals from a distance. Never feed wildlife or alter their natural foraging behaviors, which can disrupt the entire food web.

Support Biodiversity: Leave dead, standing trees (snags) and fallen logs alone; they provide critical shelter, moisture storage, and nutrients for birds, insects, and new seedlings.

-Ecology intern, Samie RC

Do you see that giant tree on the right? It's a Douglas-fir tree. For comparison, here's a red western cedar on the left. Douglas are usually up to 70 m tall and sometimes 80-90 m! So, it can be taller than a crane tower (70 m). However, Red western cedar can be up to 60 m tall.

Here is some interesting informations about Douglas-fir – Pseudotsuga menziesii

Under natural conditions, Douglas-fir establishes primarily after fire on wetter sites, and the trees can live for over a thousand years. The trees have a very thick bark, which allows them to survive moderate surface fire.   

Douglas-fir appeared in Canada about 7000 years ago. It’s native of western North American. This species is named after the explorer-botanist David Douglas. The latin name comes from pseudo (‘false’) and tsuga (‘hemlock).   

Medecine : The pitch can also be used for wounds and skin irritations.  

-Ecology intern, Samie RC

The Kennedy River carves through ancient rainforests, winds through steep valleys, and spills into the island's largest lake. On Vancouver Island, local rivers and streams through epidosite (rocks heavily altered by epidote) take on striking turquoise or teal hues. This vibrant color is created when microscopic, weathered mineral particles wash into the water and interact with sunlight. The mountainous terrain, rich with diverse volcanic bedrock, and the erosion of these mineral deposits contribute to this gorgeous, vivid water color!

-Ecology intern, Samie RC

Hey everyone!

My name is Samie, and I’m an ecology intern working for WestCoast Wild Zipline. Last year, I decided to drive across the country from the Atlantic to the Pacific. I ended up falling in love with Vancouver Island and found a job working as a zipline guide.The warm sun, the magical temperate rainforest, the ocean surf, the endless shades of green, and the happiness of the islanders—I thought I would never leave! Then, I got the great news that I was accepted into the Université de Sherbrooke. So, I headed back home and started a Bachelor of Science in Ecology. I’ve always worked outdoors in ecotourism and public awareness. It’s my dream to change people's perceptions about how fragile our beautiful planet is, and to show how simple, everyday changes can lead to a greater impact. That is exactly what my goal is this summer: to introduce you all to the unique, spectacular ecosystem that thrives right around the zipline 💚

Feel free to come say hi to me at WestCoast Wild Zipline before or after your zipline, kayak, or paddleboard tour!

Louis Rouleau
23m
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Shared with Public
" Island of the Sea Wolves"
If you have ever wondered what the Real WestCoast is all about! Why you have traversed this island on an old winding, twisted and bumpy logging, road just to visit, or why you have made the choice to settle in this incredible mystical and isolated place to live. You really need to watch this amazing Netflix series that elicits such emotion as it tells the stories about the struggle for survival of the many unique creatures on the beautiful, hostile WestCoast of Vancouver Island
Enter : https://youtu.be/ZcJsTyhxUIY?si=gvVXVZkWZ1UeztWA. in your browser and check it out on Netflix. See less

Earth : the blue planet, is covered with 70% of water. Did you knew that only less than 3% is fresh water? That 3% has 69% locked in glaciers, 30% is groundwater and less than 1% represents rivers and lakes that humans can use to survive. Protecting it is crucial and every little bit helps!