The Whistler Interpretive Forest is getting a facelift thanks to a local non-profit, which has committed to replacing the years-old signs in the popular wooded area.
The Rotary Club of Whistler is launching the project this year as a way to honour the late Don McLaurin, a past rotary member and forester who was responsible for the signage in the 3,000-hectare forest on Cheakamus Road.
“The interpretive forest was of course Don’s baby, and it’s well used with lots of visitors who go through it and really appreciate the signage, so I think it’s important to keep that up,” explained Peter Dagg, the club’s president elect.
Some of the forest’s educational signs are decades old, and in varying states of repair. Thanks to a $10,800 grant awarded last week from the Community Foundation of Whistler (CFOW), the club will get started this year on installing three new signs, with the ultimate goal of eventually replacing all 40 signs.
This year’s work will also include the installation of a new kiosk as well as repairs to two existing ones.
The rotary club is working with several partners on this project along with the CFOW, including the Resort Municipality of Whistler, B.C.’s Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, and the Cheakamus Community Forest.
