More than 250 acres of land in the Salish Sea are now protected, including 117 acres on the Sunshine Coast, a fragile island with unique geological features near Lasqueti, and waterfront forests on Vancouver and Salt Spring Islands.
BC Parks Foundation announced the five newly protected “biodiversity hotspots” along B.C.’s South Coast Friday, including:
- 32 acres of undeveloped northern shoreline near Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park
- 85 acres near Jeddah Point, a coastal landmark that welcomes visitors to the Sunshine Coast, also near Smuggler Cove in Halfmoon Bay.
- 84 acres of oceanfront parcel fronts in Deep Bay, near Courteney/Comox, that will connect to other already protected areas
- A 10-acre island that lies in the Moist Maritime Coastal Douglas-fir biogeoclimatic zone. (Less than three per cent of this zone, which is less than one per cent of the province, is included in B.C.’s protected areas.)
- 40 acres of shoreline and a rare Douglas fir forest on Salt Spring Island near Hidden Point and Lumley.
The newly protected areas won’t be available for public access until use and management plans are developed through discussion with stakeholders and governments, including First Nations and other groups.
The new conservation measures are thanks to support from the Wilson 5 Foundation and Environment and Climate Change Canada and other donors and volunteers, stated the release.
This isn’t the first time the Wilson 5 Foundation has partnered to protect land in B.C. In 2021, the Wilson Family donated $4 million to protect 365 acres of threatened Coastal Douglas fir on Lasqueti Island, the entire Saturnina Island and West Ballenas Island.
“We are grateful for the Wilson 5 Foundation’s gift as we work with Indigenous groups, governments, Canadians, and friends around the world to protect threatened and fragile places in B.C.,” said Andrew Day, BC Parks Foundation’s CEO in the release.
“Salmon. Towering Douglas-firs. The Sunshine Coast. These natural treasures help define the West Coast. Yet their future is not guaranteed. Climate change and biodiversity loss pose major threats to their survival,” said Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault in the release. “Today’s announcement highlights our collective commitment to protecting our coast. As Canada’s Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, I am proud to support this effort, ensuring these beautiful lands and the species they sustain are preserved for all generations.”
Jordan Copp is the Coast Reporter’s civic and Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
