The Nature Trust of British Columbia has been a leading land conservation organization headquartered in BC since 1971. We acquire land through purchase, donation, covenant and lease. Then we care for this land in order to protect the natural diversity of wildlife and plants and their critical habitats.

We are a non-profit, non-advocacy group that seeks a balance between sustaining our environment and sustaining our economy.

Our success can be attributed in large measure to our partnerships. Since 1971, The Nature Trust along with our partners has invested more than $68 million to secure over 61,000 hectares (150,000 acres). Charitable #10808 9863 RR0001

The Nature Trust of British Columbia was established in 1971. Bert Hoffmeister, the most decorated Canadian soldier of the Second World War, a retired forestry executive, and conservationist, was riding near Pavilion, BC, in that spring when he was told Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau was calling for him. Trudeau said he had a $4.5 million grant to finance a unique conservation project in BC.

The Honourable Jack Davis, the first Minister of the newly formed Federal Ministry of Environment, had a meeting with Ralph Shaw, a highly respected school teacher and noted outdoorsman, Dr. Alastair Mclean, a research scientist, and Len Marchand, MP for Kamloops. The group suggested that the money should be used for environmental (ecological) projects not usually funded by government and private agencies. That is how The National Second Century Fund of British Columbia, later to be called The Nature Trust of British Columbia, was born. Bert Hoffmeister was the Chair of the organization for the next 20 years.