B.C. Parks is seeking public input on further development of the Ancient Forest and Slim Creek provincial parks.
In an online questionnaire, it's seeking answers to such questions as the types of activities respondents like to see in those areas, without compromising conservation values, and what are the key management issues.
The information will be used to help draft a management plan.
Also known as Chun T'oh Whudujut (pronounced Chun Toe Wood-yu-jud) in the Lheidli T'enneh language, Ancient Forest is located 120 kilometres east of Prince George, and is home to an inland temperate rainforest made up of hemlock and western cedar trees as old as 1,000 years.
Major features are a 500-metre wheelchair-friendly wooden boardwalk plus a further 2 1/2 kilometres of wood-planked walking trails built by volunteers.
The provincial park covers 11,190 hectares and an accompanying protected area accounts for a further 685 hectares. Both are being considered in the plan.
Neighbouring Slim Creek Park, found on the north side of Highway 16, is 506 hectares and has no established trails.
The plan is being developed in conjunction with the Lheidli T'enneh and identifying potential ceremonial and social sites will be part of the work.
The deadline for providing comments via the online questionnaire is March 31. It is found at www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/planning/mgmtplns/ancient-forest-slim-creek/.
Once a draft plan has been produced, it will be taken through a second public review later this year. A final plan should be completed and approved by spring 2020.
