French Beach Provincial Park

IUCN Category II - National Park

Sunset at French Beach

The French Beach Provincial Park is a 55 hectare Provincial Park in the Canadian province of British Columbia. The park is located 20 kilometers west of Sooke and about 50 kilometers east of Port Renfrew ( the southern end of the trail West Coast Trail ). The park is easily accessible from Victoria on Highway 14. The park is located in the Capital Regional District.

Plant

The Canadian standards for relatively small parking and simply furnished park is named after the Canadian Nature Investigate James French The park is located on the Juan de Fuca Strait on the west coast of Vancouver Iceland and is cut from Highway 14 into two parts. Furthermore, several streams flow through the park. In the park is a protected area category II (National Park).

History

The French Beach Provincial Park was established in 1974. As part of the last update of the park boundaries in 2004, the park was reduced from 59 to 55 hectares.

Flora and Fauna

The vegetation in the park is typical of the temperate rainforest. Within the ecosystem of British Columbia, he is the Very Dry Maritime subzone assigned zone within the Coastal Western Hemlock. In the park area mainly in western American hemlock, Douglas fir and red cedar grow ( in the English language " Western Red Cedar " called ). Epiphytic lichens and mosses cover the tree trunks.

The forest has an understory of sword fern and ericaceous. Also you can find the Pacific Dogwood blooms. This protected plant is also found in the coat of arms of British Columbia again.

The park and its surroundings including black bears and cougars occur. Many bird species in the park area. On the beach there is the possibility to observe whales, particularly for gray whales. These migrate past here on the way to the northern feeding grounds in the spring and return in the fall back to the south. From the coast even killer whales, otters, seals and sea lions can be seen. French Beach is also a good place for sea birds, especially bald eagles and osprey watch.

Activities

The park offers a picnic area, and is crossed by several short hiking trails. Although the park is located right on the water and swimming is also allowed, this offers not necessarily. The water is relatively cold year-round.

The park has 69 pitches for caravans and tents and has a simple plumbing system.