Hundreds of acres of undeveloped waterfront land on Saturna Island will stay that way, according to the BC Parks Foundation, which announced the final half million dollars needed to purchase the property was raised in one month.
A campaign launched to protect the land was successful, according to foundation CEO Andy Day, through the dedication of the original landowner’s family, the generosity of individual donors and the commitment of several conservation partners.
“This is about the power of community,” said Day. “From small donors to major contributors, each and every person played a part in protecting this place forever.”
At over 300 acres in total, the project is among the largest recent conservation projects for private waterfront in the Gulf Islands. The parcel at the southeasternmost tip of Saturna Island borders the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, and boasts three kilometres of coastline, extensive marine ecosystems, old-growth trees and Garry oak meadows.
Day said that after major contributions from Wilson 5 Foundation, and Environment and Climate Change Canada, a “final push” of $500,000 was needed to get across the finish line, noting gifts from the BC Marine Parks Forever Society, Ilka and Allen Olsen, and the Bloom Alter Ego Trust.
“It shows what we can accomplish when we come together around the things we value,” said Day.
The property supports several at-risk species, according to the foundation, including the blue-listed northern red-legged frog and great blue heron. It lies within the coastal Douglas-fir biogeoclimatic zone, among the rarest — and, according to the foundation, least protected –– ecosystems in British Columbia, supporting threatened plants as well. Organizers have said species found there include the slender popcornflower, purple sanicle, and the endangered white meconella and Lindley’s false silverpuffs.
The project received strong support from the Saturna Island Marine Research and Education Society (SIMRES), which in addition to making its own financial contribution played a key role in community outreach and raising awareness about the campaign.
“SIMRES supports the purchase by the BC Parks Foundation,” said SIMRES president Maureen Welton, “and is very pleased that this special Saturna property will be undeveloped and preserved as a conservation area in perpetuity.”
Next steps will involve working with the community, First Nations and conservation partners to develop a management plan that safeguards the parcel’s sensitive ecosystems while allowing for “safe and responsible light recreational use.”
“We all know about climate and species loss and the problems we face these days,” said Day. “Protecting a place like this is a gift that keeps giving for wildlife and people now and far into the future.”