March 2022 eNews

A Win for Endangered Ecosystems The Nature Trust of BC has added 252 acres to the White Lake Basin Biodiversity Ranch. The native grasslands of the South Okanagan are a hotspot for biodiversity, hosting a huge number of BC’s at-risk species. The land consists of valuable carbon sequestration ecosystems such as coniferous woodland, wet meadow, riparian, and mature forest. The conservation of this property will not only help sustain biodiversity, it will help mitigate the effects of climate change. Read the full story here

Save Shoal Creek Estuary – A Wild Place for Grizzly Bears and Salmon When fresh water from rivers and streams meets the salt water of the ocean, biodiversity flourishes. Many species can only live in the brackish, mixed water of estuaries, and these special species are some of the most rare and endangered in the world. The Nature Trust of BC has the opportunity to protect 320 acres (130 hectares) of land in the Shoal Creek Estuary, 70km NW of Campbell River on the mainland coast. The property is in a remote area of BC, a place of true wilderness. The land varies from sea level tidal flats to rising steep mountain slopes. While previously logged in the 1990s, the property is now representative of naturally regenerating forest which contributes to fighting climate change. We need to raise $200,000 by May 31, to protect this estuary and forest forever. Read more about this property and donate

Fighting the Rising Tide of Spartina Over the past few months, the West Coast Conservation Crew has traversed more than 150 kilometers of Vancouver Island coastline, through pebble beaches, salt marshes and estuaries, to map and remove invasive Spartina plants. Spartina is a genus of invasive grass, known commonly as Cordgrass, that thrives in salt marsh ecosystems. Read all about their efforts and their adventures here

Brant Wildlife Festival The Brant Wildlife Festival is back! Join us in Parksville Qualicum Beach on April 1 – 16 to celebrate nature, springtime, and the annual migration of the Brant Geese. With daily events from nature tours, to bird identification, to #spotthebrant, there is fun for the whole family. Visit the festival website for more information on events

Will Power: Legacy Calculator Have you heard? The Nature Trust of BC is a partner in Will Power, a national public education effort designed to inspire more Canadians to make a significant impact on the causes they care about, by leaving a legacy gift in their Will. Wills aren’t just a legal way to distribute your personal assets; they can be a powerful tool for change in the world. Visit the Will Power website to learn about how to make a gift in your will and how to connect to estate planners.

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www.naturetrust.bc.ca