Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

Template:Infobox protected area Race Rocks Ecological Reserve is a BC Parks ecological reserve Template:Convert off the southern tip of Vancouver Island in the Strait of Juan de Fuca in Juan de Fuca Electoral Area, Capital Regional District, British Columbia, Canada.<ref>Template:Cite map</ref>

Description

Located at a narrow part of the strait, the area covers Template:Convert of which only Template:Convert is land covering 11 islets.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It does not include the small envelope of land with the foghorn and the historic Race Rocks Lighthouse on Great Race Rock.<ref>Template:Cite map</ref> That area is leased by the Canadian Coast Guard.

Because of the location in a high tidal current area, there is an exceptional variety of marine life to be found, including marine mammals, sea birds, fish, marine invertebrates, and marine algae and sea grass. It is a haul-out area for the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) and Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) and a birthing rookery for harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and it is also the most northerly birthing colony on the Pacific coast of North America for the elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

History

The idea of protecting Race Rocks came about following a marine science project by the students of Pearson College UWC under the supervision and guidance of their teachers, Garry Fletcher and Marks McAvity, in 1978. They described an area of great biodiversity and ecological importance. In 1980, the rocks and surrounding areas were protected as an ecological reserve under joint BC Parks–Pearson College UWC management.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2006 and 2007, the Race Rocks Tidal Power Demonstration Project was installed. After a six-year period for experimental research, the tidal energy generator was removed.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

See also

• Race Rocks Light
• Pearson College UWC
• Race Rocks Tidal Power Demonstration Project
• Trial Islands Ecological Reserve

External links

• Home page of racerocks.com and racerocks.ca website
• Pearson College UWC
• Images of Race Rocks on Google Earth
• Race Rocks on the Friends of Ecological Reserves website