Local author and historian Catherine Marie Gilbert earned a third place prize Lieutenant Governor’s award for historical writing, for her non-fiction book, A Journey Back to Nature, a history of Strathcona Provincial Park.

Local author and historian Catherine Marie Gilbert earned a third place prize Lieutenant Governor’s award for historical writing, for her non-fiction book, A Journey Back to Nature, a history of Strathcona Provincial Park.

The writing award was presented by the BC Historical Federation at their AGM during the gala and closing ceremony June 4.

Published by Heritage House Publishing of Victoria in 2021, her award-winning book is also a B.C. bestseller, and tells not only the story of Strathcona Park, but ties together many underlying stories of the park’s inhabitants, nearby communities, and Vancouver Island and how the relationships between people, industry and recreation have influenced the park’s development.

The award recipients were chosen by a three-member panel of judges from 24 books published in 2021 and submitted for the competition.

Gilbert won $500 to go along with the honour.