Long an unofficial nature reserve, its status became official in December 2009, when the City of Chilliwack accepted about 29 acres (7 hectares), encompassing wetlands and other key habitat, as a gift from us. Covenants on the reserve are to be monitored by The Land Conservancy of BC. If all goes well, more land may be donated later. 

Left: Chilliwack Mountain (the mound in the middle distance) lies between the Fraser River and the Fraser Valley. On the far side of  the valley are the snowy Cascades. Right: Our view facing south over the valley at dawn.

Left: White bracket fungi colonize a stump uprooted by wind. Right: The reserve contains several  wetlands that are home to frogs, ducks and other wildlife.  Photographs © Pat Woodward.

What makes hillkeep NATURE RESERVE special: IT's ORDINARY

Hillkeep is a real place that was logged twice in the last century. Instead of becoming a subdivision, it's returning to the wild at its own pace. This ever-changing beauty is not magic. It is natural succession. Ordinary. Few places are allowed to be ordinary nowadays.

Hillkeep is home to a few rare plants and animals, yes; but they aren't trophies in a zoo. They live here. Once they were less rare, like the other plants and animals that also live here. Including us. 

We didn't dare imagine, at first, that we are part of this web of countless dimensions. But of course we are. And so are you.

We hope that when you come to Hillkeep Nature Reserve you will cherish it as we do, and cherish your own place when you return home. 

a few technical details

RESERVED LAND AREA: about 29 acres (7 hectares). ALTITUDE: 1000 feet (300 meters). BIOGEOCLIMATIC ZONE: Coastal Western Hemlock. LATITUDE: 49° 09' 00" N. LONGITUDE: 122° 01' 00" W. ANNUAL PRECIPITATION: 180+ cm (70+ inches; we have had 100 inches), most of it in autumn and winter. MINIMUM TEMPERATURE: -20°  Celsius (-6°  Fahrenheit). MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE: 32° Celsius (90°  Fahrenheit). GARDEN ZONE: We think of ourselves as more or less USDA Zone 6, whereas the town of Chilliwack, below us, is Zone 7. But we don't take zones too seriously. 

NATURAL HISTORY:  What YOU MIGHT SEE AT HILLKEEP 

HOW TO VISIT HILLKEEP NATURE RESERVE

The entrance and parking are at the end of Hillkeep Place. People on foot, and dogs on leashes are welcome. Vehicles of all kinds are prohibited. Hunting is prohibited. Please be aware that there are no public toilets. Do bring your camera and your picnic basket, and please take your garbage with you when you leave.