Projects

The Prince George Naturalists Club was involved with the creation of Ferguson Lake Nature Reserve in the 1990s. The Club also invested several years in the development of Hudson’s Bay Wetland Nature Park in downtown Prince George. Information on the Club’s history with these two projects is being added here over the next few months.

History of the Ferguson Lake Nature Reserve

Prince George Naturalists Club has a long history of support for the Ferguson Lake Nature Reserve. The City of Prince George established the Reserve in the summer of 1990 following recommendations from regional biologists Dave King and Dennis Ableson to preserve the only lake in the city able to support a fish population (Shane Lake in Forests for the World had not yet been developed as a fishing lake). In 1991 the Club formally agreed to undertake a four-season survey of the Reserve for the City of Prince George.

The PGNC sent a 10-page letter with supporting maps to the City summarizing the findings of the survey. The letter itemized an extensive list of plant and animal species found in the Reserve. The Park was created with wide community support. The Killy family donated the site to the Nature Trust of British Columbia. Other organizations involved in maintaining and developing the Reserve include the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Spruce City Wildlife, and the Downtown Rotary Club of Prince George.

Club members and many other local residents enjoy the park for activities such as canoeing, kayaking, fishing, photography, nature walks, picnics and general enjoyment. A distinctive feature of the park is the trail that loops around the lake. In September 2020 the City of Prince George rebuilt sections of the boardwalk at the south end of the park. Another 30 metres of boardwalk at the south end were scheduled for repair in 2021.

To learn more about Ferguson Lake Nature Reserve, see these links: