Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park

Projects Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park Partnership Beginning in 2010, the CCC worked with the BC Speleological Federation, the Vancouver Island Cave Exploration Group, the Park Facility Operator (Island Pacific Adventures) and BC Parks on a series of initiatives to significantly improve conservation and visitor experiences in Horne Lake Caves Park. These working arrangements have been formalized by a 2011 Memorandum of Understanding and a 2014 Partnership Agreement and were supported by a BC Parks Centennial Grant in 2011. 2016 - Replacement of wooden bridges and cribbing with stone causeways on the Interpretive Trail built in 2011. 2014-15 - CCC funding supported fabrication and volunteer and park operator installation of a system of aluminum ramps and ladders in Horne Lake Main Cave. By bridging across sections of flowstone, the structures make it possible to maintain a loop tour illustrating how previously impacted flowstone can recover its natural appearance over time. The ramp system captures dirt from vistor’s footwear and the entire system could, if desired, be removed to leave only a series of small drilled holes. 2011-13 - CCC funds provided A/V equipment for a “Canadian Cave Conservancy Theatre” in the new Park Visitor Centre, interpretive panels in the reception area, materials for a new wheelchair access to the building and expenses for volunteers who furnished the theatre, produced the panels, assisted with installing a new roof and constructed the handicapped access 2011-13 - The CCC covered volunteer expenses to construct a new trail linking with the existing trail to the upper caves in the park to form an interpretive loop with a better uphill grade. Volunteers also designed an interpretive Trail Guide for the park. 2012 – Under contract to BC Parks, CCC volunteers completed the first photomonitoring inventory in Euclataws & Riverbend Caves since 1988. A simplified procedure using digital cameras produced excellent results. 2011-12 – Using CCC grant funds, a 1971/1984 solid plate gate on Riverbend Cave was replaced with a bat/water-friendly bar gate, a new staircase was constructed and a trail built to the nearby Andre’s Annex Cave, a “durable” cave suitable for self-guided access. 2011 – The CCC managed contracts with BC Parks under which volunteers, including US cave management specialist Jim Nieland, installed bat-friendly gates on Main and Lower Caves to eliminate overnight vandalism and initiate long-term restoration projects. 2010 - The CCC covered the expenses involved in cleaning Horne Lake Main and Lower Main Caves, Cougar Cave and Andre's Annex of rubbish and graffiti. Funds covered the purchase of cleaning supplies; all labour was undertaken by volunteers.