Nanaimo-Info-blog: Race Rocks Lighthouse & Ecological Reserve

The approach to Race Rocks
A curious/concerned resident
Flowers in bloom
100 steps to the top
 View from the top (worth every step)
Those 5 torpedo shapes in the lower right are elephant seals

Being a member of ‘Friends of Ecological Reserves’ my wife and I were able to visit Race Rocks last weekend. This site has been the home to the second oldest lighthouse on the west coast and has a resident warden funded by the Friends of Ecological Reserves. The light itself has been automated for many years now and the warden is there to study the diverse flora and fauna the rocks are home to.

The installation is completely off the grid and has to generate it’s own power, and obtain it’s water supply by desalination and the collection of rainwater. Supplies are brought by boat which is a 15 minute trip from the Lester Pearson College wharf. Access to Race Rocks is restricted to students of the college and those who have been invited as it is a functioning ecological reserve, complete with moulting elephant seals occupying the grounds including the pathways.

Nesting Canada Geese can also present a bit of a challenge as anyone can attest who has been on the wrong end of a wild ‘goose’. Seagulls, Oyster Catchers, Canada Geese and one lone eagle were among the feathered variety of wildlife present during our trip.

Elephant seals and sea lions (both Stellar and Californian) were also present in considerable numbers. The elephant seals come ashore once a year to moult and are land bound during this process which also sees them lose considerable body weight during this time of fasting.

The lighthouse at Race Rocks has the unfortunate distinction of coming online two weeks after the Fisgard lighthouse. This has made it’s battle for the designation of being an historical site a bit more difficult which is of utmost importance if the magnificent lighthouse is to receive the funding required for maintenance. The above photo does not do the structure justice as it is made from solid stone, from bottom to top, an engineering marvel during any age. The structure requires about $500,000 in re-pointing and repainting every 15 years or so and cash strapped governments keep pointing at each other, as to who is responsible.

Race Rocks gets it’s name from the fact the tidal current indeed races through this area, and during our 2 hour visit the waters all around the rocks were clearly running full and fast.

You can learn more about Race Rocks and the work of the Friends of Ecological Reserves by visiting their website.

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