Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • Canada Day Contest
    • Summer in B.C.
    • Quadra Island Boat Tour Contest
    • Amateur Photographer of the Year!
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • Canada Day Contest
    • Summer in B.C.
    • Quadra Island Boat Tour Contest
    • Amateur Photographer of the Year!
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
You are here: Home / Travel / Donations fuel successful Lonesome Lake purchase by BC Parks Foundation

Donations fuel successful Lonesome Lake purchase by BC Parks Foundation

May 18, 2021 //  by Monica Lamb-Yorski

Share this:

Lonesome Lake has been purchased by the BC Parks Foundation and will become part of southern Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, thanks to the generosity of donors from across North America.

In a wilderness area known as the Chilcotin Ark, Lonesome Lake was made famous because homesteading pioneers Ralph and Ethel Edwards came to the aid of starving and dying Trumpeter swans who wintered there.

Along with their children Stanley, John and Trudy, the couple packed sacks of whole wheat for miles and broke lake ice to feed the desperate birds.

Supported initially by the Canadian government in 1925, the family fed the swans.

Trudy, and later her daughter Susan, continued feeding them for more than 40 years.

When the foundation learned Susan was putting the 153-acre parcel at the south end of the lake up for sale, it launched a fundraising goal of $695,000 to purchase it.

Hundreds of British Columbians, Canadians and international donors responded, helping BCPF cross the finish line in four weeks, just one week before the deadline, said Andy Day, chief executive officer of the foundation.

READ MORE: BC Parks Foundation aims to buy historic Bella Coola region property

“It was amazing the number of people who wrote in saying when they were children they had heard the story about the trumpeter swans and it had always inspired them,” Day told Black Press Media. “It was neat to see how far and wide that sentiment was.”

The Trumpeter swans as seen circa 1940s at Lonesome Lake. (Trudy Turner photo)

Foundation vice-president Ric Careless said the protection of this site in the heart of the Chilcotin Ark will ensure that Trumpeter swans and other wildlife continue to thrive at Lonesome Lake without disturbance.

“Now, with the protection of Lonesome Lake ensured, we plan to expand efforts to preserve other fragile and important areas in the Chilcotin Ark.”

In 1957, Edwards’ biography, Crusoe of Lonesome Lake written by American writer Leland Stowe, became a North American best seller.

The swan saga captivated North America with television appearances, Reader’s Digest and Life magazine making the family famous. Ralph received the Order of Canada in 1972 for his work with the swans.

In addition to wildlife values and the old growth Interior Douglas Fir forest found at Lonesome Lake, is the least protected of BC’s 16 major ecosystems, which scientists refer to as biogeoclimatic zones.

Because of these values, and the saga of the pioneer family who saved a species, Lonesome Lake has tremendous historical and ecological significance, said BC Parks Foundation in a press release.

Grizzly bears roam on the shore of Lonesome Lake. (Ric Careless photo)

“In a world of disappearing species, Trumpeter swans are a notable conservation success story. The largest of all North American waterbirds now thrives across the continent. In BC, major populations overwinter at Comox on Vancouver Island and in the Fraser Delta.”

Day said he has not seen the area for himself, but will have the chance this summer.

Two of the donors will be joining him for the two-day hike into Lonesome Lake in either June or August. They have yet to finalize the dates.

BC Parks Foundation is the official charitable partner of BC Parks founded about three years ago with an aim to expand and enhance the park system, which Day said receives more than 26 million visits annually, a number that is growing by one million a year.

Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, visitor numbers increased by 40 per cent over the previous year, he said.

“I think lots of people in BC realized the health benefits of being outside, exploring and having something to do.”

Plan your future adventures throughout the West Coast at westcoasttraveller.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter!

Share this:

Category: TravelTag: Bella Coola, British Columbia Destinations, Heritage

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

Explore like a local in Boundary Country this summer

When planning the perfect getaway to Boundary Country, there are many factors to consider. But…

Explore like a local in Boundary Country this summerRead More

Osprey nest rescued from high water in Kootenay Lake

An osprey’s offspring were successfully saved from high water recently when the BC Conservation Officer…

Osprey nest rescued from high water in Kootenay LakeRead More

New walking tour app launched in Fernie

Visitors to Fernie can now enjoy curated, self-guided walking tours of town, thanks to a…

New walking tour app launched in FernieRead More

Exponential tourism growth in Haida Gwaii as summer kicks off

The month of June 2022 saw an increase of 1,494 per cent in visits or…

Exponential tourism growth in Haida Gwaii as summer kicks offRead More

Vancouver Island restaurant hailed for having one of Canada’s best burgers

Burger fans visiting the Vancouver Island community of Qualicum Beach have a must-visit stop to…

Vancouver Island restaurant hailed for having one of Canada’s best burgersRead More

‘Summer of recovery’: Pandemic-stricken tourism industry sees signs of optimism

Canada Day has kicked off the unofficial start of summer, and the tourism sector is…

‘Summer of recovery’: Pandemic-stricken tourism industry sees signs of optimismRead More

B.C. beach named one of the best in the world

Vancouver Island’s Mystic Beach has been named one of the best in the world by…

B.C. beach named one of the best in the worldRead More

Washington State’s most popular park turns 100

The most visited state park in Washington celebrates a century of recreation and conservation this…

Washington State’s most popular park turns 100Read More

8 ways to celebrate summer in Red Deer

If you’re looking for something to fill an afternoon, evening or a weekend, you’ll find…

8 ways to celebrate summer in Red DeerRead More

Previous Post: « The peculiar life of Vancouver Island’s Pacific sand dollar
Next Post: Cowichan Lake Trail Blazers and Mosaic partner to build new trails »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

Explore like a local in Boundary Country this summer

July 5, 2022

Osprey nest rescued from high water in Kootenay Lake

July 5, 2022

New walking tour app launched in Fernie

July 5, 2022

Exponential tourism growth in Haida Gwaii as summer kicks off

July 5, 2022

Recent Posts

Explore like a local in Boundary Country this summer

July 5, 2022

Osprey nest rescued from high water in Kootenay Lake

July 5, 2022

New walking tour app launched in Fernie

July 5, 2022

Exponential tourism growth in Haida Gwaii as summer kicks off

July 5, 2022

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and and 125,000+ social followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I Love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Northwest Territories
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Visit Our Companion Sites

I Love Saskatchewan
I Love Manitoba
I Love Nunavut
I Love Ontario
I Love Quebec
I Love Newfoundland and Labrador
I Love Nova Scotia
I Love New Brunswick
I Love Prince Edward Island

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon

Copyright © 2022 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved