Friday, August 23, 2024 A significant conservation victory has been achieved with the permanent protection of over 250 acres of fragile ecosystems in the Salish Sea region. The BC Parks Foundation, with generous support from the Wilson 5 Foundation, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and other dedicated donors, has secured the preservation of critical areas on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast. Among the newly protected areas are an island with unique geological features, a salmon estuary, a wetland, and an at-risk waterfront forest.
These areas, rich in biodiversity and ecological significance, will now be safeguarded for future generations. “Salmon, towering Douglas-firs, and the Sunshine Coast are treasures of the west coast,” stated the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “However, their future is not guaranteed due to the dual threats of climate change and biodiversity loss.
This protection effort demonstrates our collective commitment to preserving these natural wonders. As Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, I am proud to support this initiative, ensuring these lands and the species they harbor are protected for all time.” The Coastal Douglas-fir ecosystem, which is the smallest, rarest, and most globally unique biogeoclimatic zone in British Columbia, is particularly at risk.
“Many of these ecosystems are under threat, making it more important than ever to protect them,” noted Summer and Chip Wilson, founders of the Wilson 5 Foundation. With 80% of the Coastal Douglas-fir ecosystems in BC privately owned, timely action to acquire and protect available land is essential. “This is about British Columbians uniting to keep our province beautiful,” said Andy Day, CEO of the BC Parks Foundation.
“By securing these areas now, both people and wildlife will benefit forever.” This marks the second major land protection achievement in collaboration with the Wilson 5 Foundation in the Salish Sea. In 2021, the Wilson family made headlines with a $4 million donation to protect 365 acres of threatened Coastal Douglas-fir on Lasqueti Island, including the entire Saturnina Island and West Ballenas Island.
“The Wilson family continues to play a pivotal role in the movement to preserve Canada’s west coast,” said Andy Day. “We are deeply grateful for the Wilson 5 Foundation’s support as we collaborate with Indigenous groups, governments, Canadians, and international partners to protect these threatened areas in BC.” All the newly protected properties fall within the “Southwestern British Columbia” priority place, identified as a biodiversity hotspot by Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Public access to these areas will be restricted until appropriate use and management plans are developed in consultation with stakeholders, including First Nations and other groups..
