Thu, 24 Oct 2024
Tags: Acquisition / Habitat Acquisition / News

Rare Grasslands Protected in Similkameen Valley

Nighthawk Hill Grassland - Photo: Julian Zelazny

Thanks to the generosity of the local community, The Nature Trust of BC has protected some of the rarest and at-risk ecological habitats in British Columbia for future generations, including creating a safe and undisturbed passage for wildlife to access water in the arid Interior landscape.

The Nature Trust of British Columbia is thrilled to announce the successful acquisition and protection of 11 hectares of vulnerable habitat in the Similkameen Valley, thanks to the incredible generosity of the local community and key donors. This new conservation area, Nighthawk Hill Grasslands, is in the picturesque and ecologically fragile Similkameen Valley near Keremeos, within the unceded and traditional territory of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band (Sməlqmix), member of the Okanagan Nation (Syilx People).

The new Nighthawk Hill Grasslands conservation area, located directly beside the South Okanagan Grasslands Provincial Protected Area, bridges the crucial link needed for wildlife to access almost 100 meters of the Similkameen River safely and undisturbed in this very arid landscape, even during the hot Interior summer. The area is home to a diverse range of Species at Risk, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. From the American badger to pallid bat, to the tiger salamander and sage thrasher, a wide array of wildlife find refuge in this unique landscape.

More than just a beautiful place, this new conservation area contains temperate grasslands – one of the most altered terrestrial ecosystems on earth and endangered on most continents. Rare and endangered big sagebrush and bluebunch wheatgrass ecological communities are prominent throughout the Nighthawk Hill Grasslands—bunchgrass ecosystems being some of the rarest land cover types in B.C.

View of Nighthawk Hill Grasslands and the Similkameen River looking southwest. Photo: Bryn White

“Nighthawk Hill Grasslands are carbon storage superheroes, and the breeding grounds for threatened common nighthawks that migrate all the way to South America,” said Dr. Jasper Lament, CEO, The Nature Trust of BC

The conservation of Nighthawk Hill Grasslands marks an important milestone towards preserving the vulnerable and at-risk ecosystems across B.C., addressing the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change. Thanks to this conservation effort, Nighthawk Hill Grasslands will remain a wild, undisturbed landscape, forever protected from development. The project was made possible by the Government of Canada, through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program, part of Canada’s Nature Fund. Thanks also goes to the dedicated donors and the Okanagan community, whose generosity and passion for nature made this conservation milestone possible, and the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF).

“HCTF is proud to support The Nature Trust of BC in securing Nighthawk Hill Grasslands, conserving biological diversity and protecting crucial wildlife habitat. Through partnerships with local communities and partners, this acquisition protects more grassland habitat for many creatures using this land and the adjacent South Okanagan Grasslands Provincial Protected Area; this is a great achievement for habitat conservation in the region,” said Dan Buffett, CEO of HCTF.

Mon, 16 Sep 2024
Tags: Acquisition / News

Protection of Vital Wildlife Corridors for Rare and At-Risk Species

Bummer's Flats Eastside Benchlands (c) Julian Zelazny

Thanks to the support of nature lovers across the province, critical Kootenay wildlife corridors have been protected, increasing connectivity for species like the grizzly bear, elk, and Lewis’s woodpecker.

In a landmark achievement for conservation, The Nature Trust of British Columbia (NTBC), a leading land conservation charity, recently announced the protection of two crucial conservation areas in the Kootenay Region: Bummers Flats – MapleCross Benchlands and Wycliffe Prairie, part of the Wycliffe Conservation Complex. This success is thanks to the unwavering support of nature lovers across the province, ensuring the protection of these vital habitats for future generations.

The Government of Canada’s investment in major nature conservation projects in B.C., through the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, was pivotal in securing these new conservation areas. These investments, complemented by generous contributions from the Kootenay community and donors across B.C., Canada, and the U.S., enabled The Nature Trust of BC to raise almost $4 million to protect 874 acres (354 hectares) of habitat in the region, providing critical movement corridors for wildlife, including grizzly bears and elk. This acquisition will also contribute to supporting biodiversity and environmental processes facilitating natural carbon removal from the atmosphere.

These two new conservation areas are characterized by important ecosystems, including grasslands, wetlands, riparian corridors, and Douglas-fir forests. These ecosystems support numerous endangered or other at-risk species and function as significant carbon sinks. The protection of Wycliffe Prairie and Bummers Flats – MapleCross Benchlands marks an important step towards mitigating climate change and safeguarding the rich, but declining, biodiversity in B.C.

“Through collaboration with partners like The Nature Trust of British Columbia, and the support of generous donors, we are working to protect and restore the natural environment in the Kootenay Region. This includes safeguarding a crucial wildlife movement corridor and boosting the region’s capacity to capture and store carbon. The Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund is playing a key role in helping us combat climate change and biodiversity loss while also advancing efforts to conserve 30 percent of land and water in Canada by 2030,” said The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

“Thanks to the generosity of British Columbians with a deep-rooted love for our province and its incredible nature, we are able to protect Wycliffe Prairie and Bummers Flats – MapleCross Benchlands, forever. We live in the most biodiverse province in Canada, yet almost a third of the species assessed in B.C. are now at risk. Together, we are making a difference by safeguarding vital biodiversity in the Kootenays and helping to mitigate climate change.” said Dr. Jasper Lament, CEO of The Nature Trust of BC.

Wycliffe Praire (c) The Nature Trust of BC

Wycliffe Prairie is located within the unceded, traditional territory of the Ktunaxa Nation, and spans 450 acres (182 hectares). This ecologically diverse area features riparian forests along Luke Creek, wetlands, grasslands and dry, open forest habitats that are important to species such as the at-risk grizzly bear (of special concern), the endangered Lewis’s woodpecker, and the endangered American badger.

The protection of Wycliffe Prairie expands the Wycliffe Conservation Complex to over 3,500 acres (1,450 hectares), including lands managed by The Nature Trust of BC, the Province of B.C. and the Nature Conservancy of Canada. This protects habitat for many endangered or other at-risk species. Thanks to the generosity of donors, The Nature Trust of BC successfully raised over $2.5 million to protect and conserve this area for future generations.

The Wycliffe Prairie project was funded in part by the Government of Canada and was significantly bolstered by the generosity of others. The Nature Trust of BC would also like to thank the Coyne family, Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Kootenay Wildlife Heritage Fund and the Hammond Family, Rocky Mountain Naturalists, Southern Guides (Guide Outfitters Association of B.C.), Tony Paine & Susan Collacott, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Wood Brothers, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y), and many others who made this project possible.

The project is part of a cross-border partnership, thanks to the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, which allows U.S. taxpayers to triple their donation through Canadian, and U.S sources, including the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service.

“The Nature Trust of BC has played a significant role in protecting habitat for migratory birds, including along the Pacific Flyway, which extends through Canada, the U.S., Mexico and South America. This project will help further this mission forward, ensuring that avian populations thrive in perpetuity.” said Dr. Jasper Lament, CEO of The Nature Trust of BC.

“We are deeply grateful for the support of our many partners and donors in helping to conserve these ecologically significant areas. It’s an exciting day and an incredible example of the power of collaboration amongst the conservation community. Together, these two projects will leave a lasting legacy for the wildlife and people of the region.” said Chris Bosman, Kootenay Conservation Land Manager, The Nature Trust of BC.

“The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation is proud to fund The Nature Trust of BC in their acquisition of these vital areas in the Kootenay region. Both projects protect our rare wetland and grassland habitats which are critical to a significant diversity and abundance of species such as grizzly bears, birds, amphibians, and insects. These acquisitions demonstrate how partners collaboratively conserve important habitats for fish, wildlife, and people now and for the future.” said Dan Buffett, CEO of the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation.

Bummer’s Flats Eastside Benchlands (c) The Nature Trust of BC

Bummers Flats – MapleCross Benchlands, covering 424 acres (171 hectares), is primarily comprised of dry, open forest and grassland situated above the Kootenay River floodplain. Located in the unceded and traditional territory of the Ktunaxa Nation, this area offers connectivity for species like elk, grizzly bear, mule deer, and white-tailed deer. It also provides critical habitat for the federally endangered American badger, and supports diverse plant species, birds, amphibians, and reptiles.

This new conservation area expands the existing Bummers Flats Conservation Complex to 4,930 acres (1,995 hectares), which includes other conservation areas managed by The Nature Trust of BC, the Province, and Ducks Unlimited Canada. This project also succeeds in establishing a cross-valley connectivity corridor that spans from upland habitat west of the Kootenay River, across the river floodplain and up into benchlands at the foot of the Rocky Mountains.

The Nature Trust of BC successfully raised just under $1.4 million to protect and conserve this land. The van der Velden family, who sold the conservation area to The Nature Trust of BC, also donated to the fundraising campaign in honour of Aart, their late father and husband.

“I am deeply thankful that this beautiful land has been protected by The Nature Trust of BC. This land was incredibly important to my husband, Aart, who loved nature his entire life. We moved from Holland to Canada in 1983 and we have always loved the incredible scenery and wildlife in Canada. This land is close to a highway, so we were always concerned the area would be developed one day and that our community would lose its beauty. We see the conservation of this land as a legacy to Aart who would have been thrilled to see this area flourish for generations to come.” said Gerrie van der Velden, previous owner and seller of Bummers Flats Eastside Benchlands.

This project was funded in part by the Government of Canada. The Nature Trust of BC would also like to thank Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, MapleCross, Nature’s Way, and Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) for their generous contributions to this project.

“MapleCross is thrilled to support the acquisition of Bummers Flats – MapleCross Benchlands by The Nature Trust of BC. We are particularly interested in the ecological significance of this project in the Rocky Mountains, as it is located in a corridor essential for the natural movement of wildlife. And, of course, we were intrigued by the origin of the name! We look forward to our continued partnership with The Nature Trust of BC and to sharing its ongoing commitment towards protecting ecologically vulnerable ecosystems in B.C.” said Dr. Isobel Ralston and Dr. Jan Oudenes, MapleCross.

“Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative applauds The Nature Trust of BC’s commitment to conserving landscapes in the Kootenay region for biodiversity and wildlife connectivity. The value of the wildlife habitat within the Wycliffe Prairie and Bummers Flats – MapleCross Benchlands properties is important both locally and on a larger scale. These now-protected lands will help to ensure wildlife’s essential movement between the Rocky Mountain and Purcell ecosystems in B.C. — and across the continentally significant Yellowstone to Yukon region. Because of partners like The Nature Trust BC and the dedicated landowners they work with, we can ensure these important landscapes remain intact and connected, forever.” said Jordan Reeves, Director of Landscape Connectivity, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative.

The conservation of Wycliffe Prairie and Bummers Flats – MapleCross Benchlands is an important milestone towards the long-term protection of B.C.’s biodiversity and addressing the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change. Thanks to the generosity of donors across the province, this land will be conserved and stewarded in perpetuity.

Tue, 9 Jan 2024
Tags: Acquisition / Habitat Acquisition / News

Collaborative Conservation on Galiano Island

Quadra Hill Cedar Grove - Photo by Galiano Conservancy Association

Saving Rare Habitats on Galiano Island – Two Major Wins for Environmental Conservation

The Galiano Conservancy Association (GCA), an environmental charity founded in 1989 as one of BC’s first community-based land trusts, works to protect, steward and restore Galiano Island ecosystems by creating a network of natural areas where a healthy environment, learning and a love of nature flourish. The recent protection of Quadra Hill, an ecologically significant property on Galiano Island, marks a milestone in the region’s conservation efforts. Key partnerships developed over several years were vital in completing this acquisition.

Quadra Hill: Bridging Protected Areas for Enhanced Biodiversity
Quadra Hill is a 47-ha parcel of coastal Douglas-fir forest long identified as a ‘missing piece’ in the corridor of protected habitats connecting Trincomali Channel to Georgia Strait on Galiano Island known as the Mid-Island Protected Areas Network . The ecologically diverse property was listed for sale by a motivated seller in late 2021, and has been owned for the past two years by the Aqueduct Foundation, one of the largest grantmakers in Canada, which agreed to step in as an interim owner at the GCA’s request, in order to provide temporary protection until adequate funds could be raised to purchase the land for conservation purposes. This project was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada through the federal Department of Environment and Climate Change, and an initial opportunity grant from the Islands Trust Conservancy. Generous contributions from Sitka Foundation, the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation and private donors enabled GCA to complete this important land acquisition.

The ecological value of Quadra Hill is hard to overstate. It is home to rare and varied ecosystems, is part of the upper catchment area for the Great Beaver Swamp Nature Reserve and is important for groundwater recharge. Because it is surrounded by existing conservation areas and a common-property forest, the protection of Quadra Hill enhances habitat connectivity and supports a diversity of plant and animal communities across three watersheds.

The Quadra Hill property also plays an important role in climate action, storing an estimated 40,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents, and is expected to sequester an additional 8,000 tons over the next 30 years.

Quadra Hill in the Spring – Photo by James LaBountry

Mt Sutil Extension: Preserving Imperiled Garry Oak Ecosystems
The GCA also recently partnered with the BC Parks Foundation (BCPF), Sitka Foundation and an anonymous donor to protect 4.2 ha of coastal Douglas-fir forest and sensitive Garry Oak bluff habitat neighbouring the existing Mt. Sutil Nature Sanctuary (GCA’s first land acquisition). Garry oak and associated ecosystems are home to over 100 provincially-listed species at risk. The remote and relatively undisturbed meadows and bluffs of Mount Sutil have been identified as a priority site for conserving these rare habitats, and are a testament to the ecological richness of Galiano Island.

A New Chapter in Island Conservation
These two landmark acquisitions enhance biodiversity, increase habitat connectivity, support climate action, and protect several provincially-listed species at risk. They also mark a first in GCA history, as the valuable partnerships involved allowed the GCA to protect these lands without a public fundraising campaign, highlighting the power of collaborative conservation.

As we celebrate the protection of Quadra Hill and the Mount Sutil Extension, the GCA recognizes and respects the enduring relationship Penelakut, Hwlitsum, Tsawwassen, Lelum Sar Augh Ta Naogh and other Coast Salish peoples have to these lands as part of their traditional territories. As stewards of these new conservation areas, the Galiano Conservancy is committed to honouring and learning from the rich cultural heritage and ecological wisdom of the First Nations whose ancestral connections to these lands continue to this day.

About the Galiano Conservancy Association
The Galiano Conservancy Association is committed to preserving the ecological balance and unique natural heritage of BC’s Southern Gulf Islands. This is accomplished through environmental education, land stewardship, ecological restoration, biodiversity monitoring & conservation, and demonstrating sustainable living practices within the Galiano community and beyond.

For more information, please contact:
info@galianoconservancy.ca
Phone: 250-539-2424

Tue, 2 Apr 2019
Tags: Acquisition

Morrison Headwaters Nature Preserve

Members of the Comox Valley Land Trust and the Comox Valley Regional District cut the ribbon to signal a partnership to protect the Morrison Headwaters Nature Preserve. Fifth from left: HCTF Evaluation Program Manager, Karen Barry. Photo supplied

HCTF welcomes the newly announced Morrison Headwaters Nature Preserve, a joint project of The Comox Valley Land Trust (CVLT) and the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD).

HCTF is pleased to be a major funder towards this biologically rich area.Read more about the land acquisition and its unique resident, the Morrison Creek lamprey.

https://www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/news/comox-valley-regional-district-land-trust-form-partnership-to-protect-morrison-headwaters-nature-preserve/

Wed, 24 Apr 2013
Tags: Acquisition / Habitat Acquisition

Mission Creek Celebration

Mission Creek

On Tuesday, HCTF had the opportunity to take part in a wonderful event on the banks of Mission Creek in Kelowna, celebrating the recent acquisition of 2.7 hectares of land immediately beside the creek (see video). Working with the MCRI, City of Kelowna, Regional District of Central Okanagan and a cast of others, HCTF is supporting the long term plans to return parts of the heavily-channelized Mission Creek to a more natural state.

Mission Creek was channelized many years ago to control the destructive flooding that was impacting adjacent landowners. What was formerly a sinuous, natural and fish-friendly stream became, in effect, a much straightened “chute”. That straightening helped to solve the flooding problem, but removed important fish habitat.

HCTF has provided $315,000 in funding to purchase some adjacent land from the Casorso family (without whom this project would not be possible) which will eventually be restored to provide critical habitat for native Kokanee stocks. It’s an important first step in a long process, and HCTF is happy to be part of this initiative. For more information on the plan to restore Mission Creek, please visit the MCRI website.