Buttertubs Marsh viewing tower to be renamed in honour of Bill Merilees

City of Nanaimo honours local conservationist’s legacy with tower renaming and refurbishment

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed October 15, 2025 11:00 AM

Summary

The City of Nanaimo will honour the late Bill Merilees by renaming the Buttertubs Marsh viewing tower the "Bill Merilees Viewing Tower." In partnership with the Nature Trust of BC, the City will also refurbish the structure to ensure it continues to serve as a welcoming space for nature enthsiasts.

For more than 40 years, Bill Merilees dedicated himself to the conservation and enhancements of Buttertubs Marsh. As founder and chair of the "Friends of Buttertubs," he championed the marsh as a protected nature reserve, prioritizing environmental stewardship over recreation. His efforts led to the creation of the Buttertubs Trail, expansion of the marsh's protected lands and installation of interpretive signage and wildlife features.

Merilees also played a key role in community engagement, producing a printed nature guide and supporting research projects with VIU students. His legacy lives on in the thriving ecosystem he helped nurture and protect.

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