Thirty-five summers ago, naturalist Jim Good realized his childhood dream to create a Canadian botanical conservatory on his 160-acre homestead in Salmon Valley, 31 kilometres north of Prince George.
After nearly seven decades of nursing the more than 2,000 wildflower, shrub and tree species that are thriving in his forest at Goodsir Nature Park, the 74-year-old Good has added a new title to his resume.
He’s now a doctor.
That became official on May 31 at the UNBC convocation ceremony when Good received an honourary Doctor of Laws degree.
“That was fun; I was asked to write a speech and I was told that my speech touched a lot of people, because I spoke from my heart,” Good said.
“I had people sign the guest register, ‘Congratulations Dr. Good.’ I think the novelty will be gone in probably, I said a week or two, maybe a month or so.”
His newfound fame reminded Good of his humble beginnings as an autistic child.
“I came here from Vancouver almost 51 years ago, lived in my truck camper and I was homeless but I didn’t use the word homeless. I didn’t know anybody, no family, no friends, I came to a strange town, which back then was very transient.
“Everything I’ve ever done in my life has been from scratch. I did poorly in school and made up for it. With clean living and a positive goal I was able fulfill my dream, I was able to save money fort a down payment on my first house and I sold it and bought the land.”
Summer officially arrives in Prince George on June 20 and to commemorate the park’s 35th anniversary Good is inviting the public to join the celebration that weekend. On Friday, June 21 at 7 p.m., Good will present the original declaration he read to an audience of four when the park first opened on June 21,1989.
The ceremony will be followed by a night of live music performed by Steve Baker.
Live tunes resume Saturday at 7 p.m. when Dean Chandler takes the stage.
Admission is by donation. There will be free cake and cold beverages served.
The park is home to two special collections – the J.L. Good Vinyl Museum, with 42,000 records, mostly 45s, and the Goodsir Botanical Museum. Goodsir’s closed-circuit radio station, CGNP, broadcasts his music selections to enhance the experience for park visitors.
Good worked as a hospital janitor and bought the land in fall of 1987. He realized his childhood dream when he opened the park two years later. His dedication as caretaker of a unique tourist attraction that promotes biodiversity earned Good recognition from the B.C. Achievement Foundation which presented him its community award in 2022.
A university student who visited the park paid the ultimate tribute in the guest register when he referred to Goodsir as a must-stop for all Canadians.
Good takes pride in exhibiting a live species from each province and territory in Canada, plants and trees he collected himself on cross-country treks in 1969 and 1993. Signs along the three kilometres of trails show the Latin names and common names of each featured plant and a pinpoint map shows where they were obtained.
“It’s my life’s work putting it all together, “ said Good. “I started when I was six years old, going camping with my parents at Cultus Lake.
“I also started listening to my dad’s car radio and found I could carry a song in the back of my head and that sparked my second hobby, the love of music, vinyl."
Good has built and maintained the park largely by himself, but in recent years has had health issues related to two heart attacks, which required a quadruple bypass operation. He and his wife Raine still look after park but they rely on volunteers to take care of some of the heavier labour involved.
If you would like to help with park maintenance or are able to lend a hand for the 35th anniversary celebration to assist with parking control or give guided tours, call Good at 250-960-2337.
Goodsir Nature Park, at 22825 Old Summit Lake Rd., is open seven days per week from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
