Many of our members may not know very much About the Nature trust of B.C.
The Nature Trust of British Columbia took on the daunting task of protecting the natural riches of the province by building a treasury of wild natural areas to conserve iconic and important species at risk.
The Nature Trust of BC is now a leading non-profit land conservation organization. Since 1971 they have acquired more than 500 conservation properties in British Columbia.
Treasured places like the Salmon River with its abundance of fish, birds and elk on Vancouver Island, Boundary Bay on the flight path of hundreds of thousands of migrating birds in the Lower Mainland, the White Lake Basin which is home to many species at risk in the Okanagan, and the magnificent 10,000 acre Hoodoos property in the Kootenays are protected for future generations. These are some of the 175,000 acres (71,000 hectares) The Nature Trust of BC and their partners have acquired.
BC is endowed with the highest number of species of any province or territory in Canada. Yet, 43% of these species are on the watch lists because of low or dwindling populations. Saving their habitat is the first step in protecting our wildlife, fish and plants.
The success of The Nature Trust depends on those who share their passion for BC. With every donation a donor makes, they recognize the trust that is being placed in their hands. This is why the organization places a high priority on operating in a fiscally responsible manner. They carry no debt and no mortgages and undertake yearly audits.
Since 1978 The Nature Trust of British Columbia and it’s partners have been conserving critical salmon habitat along the Salmon River on Vancouver Island. When they asked for donations to help to add 35 acres to The Nature Trust’s 516-acre Salmon River Conservation Complex the club stepped up and made a substantial to this worthy cause.
The property runs along the western bank of lower Salmon River and includes Hammond Creek, a nursery creek for juvenile salmon.
The area provides critical habitat for vulnerable birds including Great Blue Heron, Marbled Murrelet, and Northern Pygmy Owl. And, the river supports the largest herd of Roosevelt Elk in BC.
This property will provide a buffer that will reduce human impact on the riparian area of the lower Salmon River and Hammond Creek.
Riparian areas have a direct influence on aquatic habitat and directly contribute to fish habitat by providing shade, cover, food and nutrients as well as helping to maintain water quality and moderating flows and temperatures that are critical for healthy fish.
These areas are rich in biodiversity but are also particularity vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and development.
Roosevelt Elk are the largest subspecies of North American elk and they are found on Vancouver Island and portions of the south coast. Efforts to rebuild the herds are continuing and have been successful. The BC population has doubled to 6,900 Roosevelt elk over the past two decades.
This river supports all five types of salmon and other fish species such as Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden. Hammond Creek and a tidal channel provide juvenile rearing habitat for Coho, Chinook and Chum salmon on the property, and ensure a safe transition to salt water for the young salmon.