Thanks to everyone who has donated to the Skaha Lake Eastside project in the Okanagan. This 35.4 hectare (87.5 acre) property provides critical habitat for Bighorn Sheep and other rare species. We are working to raise the last $500,000 before the end of June.

"This property is one of the last remaining undeveloped benchlands on the eastside of Skaha Lake," said Nicholas Burdock, The Nature Trust of BC's Okanagan Conservation Land Coordinator. "It takes you only a few steps to recognize how beautiful this location is and why it is so important that it remain in a natural state. There are many rare plants and animals that rely on this landscape; it really is a special place in the South Okanagan."

You can donate online or by calling us at 1-866-288-7878.

The Nature Trust of BC is pleased to announce the 31 hectare (76 acre) Lardeau-Duncan-Meadow Creek South property has closed with the support of the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP). This new acquisition expands the Lower Duncan Conservation Lands Complex. This property is located near the community of Meadow Creek in the West Kootenay, and is adjacent to The Nature Trust's existing Lardeau-Duncan property.

The Meadow Creek South property is on the floodplain of the Duncan River which supports regionally significant fisheries. The terrain is relatively flat, comprised of a diverse cottonwood and conifer riparian forest, shrub thickets, sedge wetlands, cattail marshes, tall grass meadows, and small open water sloughs. It supports many species including the Blue-listed Great Blue Heron, Grizzly Bear, and Western Toad.

FWCP is a partnership between BC Hydro, the Province of BC, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, First Nations and public stakeholders to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife impacted by BC Hydro dams.

As part of Canada's 150th birthday, the Stewardship Centre for BC is featuring stewardship champions who have made a difference, including Murray LaBrash who donated his property in Rock Creek to The Nature Trust of BC. You can find out more about Murray and other champions at stewardshipcentrebc.ca and you can also nominate a champion.

The Nature Trust of BC's Carl MacNaughton and Nick Burdock are pleased to lead a McIntyre Bluff/nʕaylintn Hike on Friday, May 19 as part of the 20th annual Meadowlark Festival. 

This festival includes a number of other hikes on Nature Trust lands including a Twin Lakes Walk and Sagebrush Wildflowers and Butterflies as well as other events. 

Visit meadowlarkfestival.bc.ca for details.

Thanks to the many volunteers and organizations that helped with the 27th Brant Wildlife Festival on Vancouver Island.

The festival celebrated nature, particularly the amazing migration of Brant geese as they rest and feed on the shores of Parksville and Qualicum Beach. Events ranged from wildlife viewing to learning how to identify birds as well as kids nature camps and a bioblitz. The festival was made possible by volunteer tour leaders, especially the Arrowsmith Naturalists, Friends of French Creek, Pacific Rainforest Adventure Tours, Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Institute, Qualicum Beach Streamkeepers, and VIU Deep Bay Marine Field Station.

The Nature Trust of BC helped coordinate the festival with sponsorship from the Beach Club Resort, City of Parksville, and the Mid Island Co-op.