There are a number of events and activities coming up in the Kimberley Nature Park that you may wish to be a part of, including a chance for free firewood.

As many are aware fuel reduction work began this summer in the park with hand felling and thinning. Nature Park Society President Kent Goodwin says that so far so good.

“As far as we can tell it’s going fine. It’s only really just beginning in public access areas so there may be some changes, but so far we are reasonably pleased.

The Society is hosting a restoration/fuel reduction work party on Saturday, September 18.

Goodwin says that a small part of Sunflower Hill wasn’t included in the 2008 prescribed burn on the hill for safety reasons, and they’d like to do some thinning there.

“We want to cut down some of the small conifers, there are hundreds and hundreds there and we want to take some out. The fire department will come in with their chipper after we’re done.”

If you’re interested in the work party, meet at the Campground Parking lot at 1 p.m.

Work will go on till about 4:30 at which time refreshments will be provided thanks to a grant from the Public Conservation Assistance Fund. Bring work gloves, at water bottle and loppers or pruning saws if you have them. Contact Kent at jkgoodwin@shaw.ca for more information.

Next weekend it’s time for the annual Hike and Barbecue hosted by the Nature Park Society. The barbecue will be held at the campground at 1:30 on Sunday, September 12. There are two pre-barbecue hikes planned, the longer leaving the campground at 10 am. and the shorter at 11:30. The hikes are free but there is a $10 charge for the barbecue to help pay for the burgers and hot dogs. Please let Jim Webster know at sven10@telus.net if you are planning to attend so they know how much food to buy.

The Nature Park Society will once again be doing some salvage work of some the trees blown down, mostly dead pine, along the major roads in the Park. And rather than burning the material on site, they’d prefer to see it go to firewood.

“We will either have to burn it in place or use it to heat homes. We’d prefer the latter,” Goodwin said. “Our target is people with trucks and chainsaws. We’ll take you into designated areas in the park and we’ll try to clear some of the blowdown up.”

Fridays, beginning September 10, have been chosen as a good day to do this work, but Goodwin says they can be flexible on times. If you are interested in getting some of this wood and are willing to help with the gathering contact Pam at 427-5198.