Dan Culver's interest in and passion for protecting endangered areas of British Columbia was evident in all he did, from his involvement in Rivers Day and helping to set standards for safe rafting and whale watching practices in B.C., to championing the fight to save both the Tsitika and Khutzemateen valleys, all causes which he was happier speaking about than his own achievements. In support of the latter causes he carried the banners for both valleys to the top of Everest (he dropped one from frozen fingers and almost walked off the mountain into Tibet while trying to retrieve it) and constantly redirected attention away from himself and towards their plight in interviews. Dan was also involved in the fight to have the spectacular Tatshenshini River area in northern B.C. saved from mining, and unfortunately never knew that this goal had been accomplished soon after his death. His contribution was commemorated during the event held in September of '93 to celebrate this momentous achievement, and those involved commented on his ever present enthusiasm, one of his greatest gifts. This enthusiastic commitment to causes he believed in was a constant theme in Dan's life; he was not one to sit idly back and think about his own concerns, his was a larger vision, and he believed that the preservation of the unique wilderness that makes up British Columbia was a huge part of that vision.
In keeping with this focus in his life, Dan stipulated that the majority of his estate be given to preserve a unique piece of coastal property in B.C. After his death in 1993, the story of a small island off of Vancouver Island was in the news as the owners, Mary and Al Palmer, fought to save the beautiful 640 acre island they lived on from being sold to developers. They were determined that the island be preserved for the people of B.C., and appealed to British Columbians to help save the island. Dan's mother saw the article with the Palmer's story, and shortly after that brother Bruce contacted the Palmers and set in motion a huge province wide fund raising campaign to raise the $4 million asking price. People responded with an outpouring of donations and support, and with Dan's legacy of $1.1 million and a hefty contribution from the Provincial Government, Jedediah Island was turned into a Class A provincial park. Today thousands of visitors a year are lucky enough to have the opportunity to walk the island, viewing the site of the 95 year old homestead and perhaps catching glimpses of the goats, sheep, and solitary horse that are remnants from the life that Mary and Al created.
Jedediah Island has much to offer in the way of diverse ecosystems to be studied; it has old growth forests of Douglas fir, western red cedar, arbutus, Rocky Mountain juniper and prickly pear cactus, and the seven kilometre long coastline includes a diversity of inter-tidal and coastal habitats with mud flats, tidal lagoons, rocky coves and numerous sand and pebble beaches. A portion of the island is made up of second growth forests and undisturbed old growth forests. About 10 percent of the island has been modified through clearing, logging, construction of buildings and agriculture. This beautiful island is a welcoming paradise just waiting to be explored, with many lessons to teach us about coastal environments and our impact on nature.
Dan would have loved it.
With many thanks to Barbara Goddard for her words & research.