MWPS is a group of volunteer stewards for a treasured bit of woods in the midst of our community on the Comox Peninsula.
Also see https://www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/community/macdonald-wood-park-society-agm-april-17/ which states:
Macdonald Wood was established as a park in April, 1996, the result of a broad community effort to protect this valuable waterfront forest. The main entrance is on Balmoral at Croteau Road in Comox. MWPS is the park’s volunteer steward group, involved with the removal of invasive species and new plantings that respect the forest natural succession. MWPS also serves as stewards of the Fran Johnson Wildlife Sanctuary, a property that was gifted to MWPS, secured with covenants held by Comox Valley Land Trust.
Site Description:
MacDonald Wood is a property of 3.6 ha on the north shore of Comox Harbour. The majority of the land is currently forested with a second growth stand, approximately 80 to 100 years old. This is older than the typical harvest age of the industrial forests of eastern Vancouver Island. It is classified as being in the dry maritime variant of the Coastal Western Hemlock zone.
The stand is largely coniferous, comprised mainly of Douglas fir (85% by volume) with minor components of Sitka spruce and grand fir. There is a small amount of red alder found adjacent to the tide water while some big-leaf maple is scattered throughout. The soils are composted of glacial till overlying marine sands.The site slopes to the south from an elevation of 22 m above sea level, becoming progressively wetter as it reaches sea level at Comox Harbour.
An undisturbed First Nations midden is found in an area close to the tide water, mainly on the raised beach terrace. Several archaeological studies have been done in the area. The latest was in 1993 by Arcas Consulting under permit 1993-38. The site (DkSf 4) is considered to have high scientific significance. This is because it has only been slightly disturbed while the rest of this site has been destroyed or severely damaged by adjacent residential development.
At tide water there is a salt marsh which is increasingly rare in this area due to development. Biologists (Environment Canada correspondence) have rated this area as a 3 out of a possible 4 in terms of site quality.
The Park contains many walking trails and is heavily utilized by the citizens of the entire Comox Valley. The Park is within the Town of Comox and is administered by the Town of Comox; however, Area B of the Comox Valley Regional District borders the eastern side of the park.
Natural perturbations to the forest within the park are wind throw as well as pockets of root rot. There are many introduced plant species in the Park, such as Scotch broom, holly, English ivy, morning glory, etc.
Google Map:
More background information as to the struggle to save the woods:
Directors 2020
Kerren Shalanski President
Kris Nielsen Vice President
Diane Maxted Treasurer
Elaine Codling Director
Diane Duncan Director
Lorraine Aitken Director
Charitable Tax Status Official Registration Number 0985440-56