Founders’ Wharf Reflections
 

Written and Narrated by Terry Morrison, a former Executive Director of the Sanctuary
 

Whenever I get a chance to visit the Nature Sanctuary, I try to take the time to spend a few minutes on Founders’ Wharf. For me, it is the calm centre of the universe for those few moments.
 

I reflect on the life that flourishes above, and on, and below the surface of the lake, and I think about how many living things find shelter and nourishment, a place to call home.
 

Mostly I think about time, on scales grand and small, both past and future.
 

One time, around 12,000 years ago, on this very spot, there was a mass of glacial ice over 1,000 metres thick, slowly moving across the land, obliterating everything in its path. Some time later when the ice melted, the very land, lowered by the weight of the ice, was 64 metres below the surface of the ocean waves!
 

When the oceans receded, and the land rebounded, life, of course, flooded back in, and life found a home in the ice-scoured basin filled with fresh water that we now know as Swan Lake. What amazing and drastic changes took place in the blink of an eye, geologically speaking!
 

Another time, on a more human scale, the lake and surrounding flood plain was an important hunting and gathering area for the Lekwungen people, who had a very deep and respectful relationship with the lands where they lived.
 

In the late 1800’s, Swan Lake became known for summer boating and swimming, and winter skating. The Swan Lake Hotel, directly across the lake from the Founders’ Wharf, was a popular holiday destination.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More recently, during the 1950’s and ‘60’s, the lake suffered from a massive inflow of sewage from the growing urban area, runoff from farm fields, and effluent from two wineries operating upstream. Since then, significant improvements have been put in place to reduce harmful runoff entering the lake, and the water quality has improved accordingly.
 

In the late 1960’s, a community of people came together in support of creating a nature education centre around Swan Lake and Christmas Hill, and ever since then, we have been nursing the waters and lands back to health. The generous contribution of so many volunteers and donors to this cause is recognized on plaques that you will find around the edge of
Founders’ Wharf.
 

Which brings me to the future, and in that, I have faith that with growing understanding and appreciation of the value of healthy ecosystems in our cities, this small example called Swan Lake will continue to flourish, and will be here for our children, and for their children.

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