The History of Nanaimo Of course starts with the creation of Vancouver island which can be thanked to geological forces originating from the plate tectonics that Vancouver Island happens to be next to and these faults are also an extension of the famous “Ring of Fire” that creates volcanic activity all around the Pacific Plate so Vancouver Island having an origin in Volcanic activity is a given.This island is primarily a temperate rainforest, with the typical trees like Douglas Fir, Red Cedar and Arbutus trees making up the majority of the native flora, Rainfall is significant but even more so during the rainy season of October to march, Vancouver island rarely gets below freezing. The areas Indigenous inhabitants would be a denomination of Salish peoples that according to Wikipedia would be called Island Halkomelemt.  After Contact Coal was discovered in 1850 leading to the extraction of it from Nanaimo to fuel power and rail efforts on the island.  Before 1860 Nanaimo was known as Colvile Town which was named after a HBC governor of that name. Throughout the development of the land, many Invasive species as taken route, such as the English Ivy, The Himalayan Black Berry, Scottish broom, and English Holly. The City of Nanaimo has an entire segment of their website devoted to these invasive species. Modern Nanaimo now is trying to devote time and resources to the growing homeless problem but building affordable housing and get the homeless out of the parks and streets of the city.