Criteria for Selecting Acquisitions
The Nature Trust secures habitat by direct land purchase, conservation covenants, ecological gifts, life estates or by land lease. Our land acquisitions have formed the core lands for several major conservation programs, numerous wildlife management areas and other conservation initiatives.

In order to make a decision on a piece of property numerous criteria are evaluated.

We take into consideration the biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification of the site. This system of classification uses bio (biology/nature), geo (soil and geography) and climate to classify any site into an ecosystem. There are 14 biogeoclimatic zones in BC. Some zones have a higher priority than others. For example:

  •  Bunchgrass, Coastal Douglas fir and Ponderosa Pine—ranked exceptional and high
  •  Interior Douglas fir—ranked high to medium; and
  •  Coastal Western Hemlock—ranked medium

In addition we look at the richness, rarity and risk for each property. Richness takes into account the variety of species of plants and wildlife while rarity focuses on the number of endangered or vulnerable species and rare plants. Risk examines which land is most at risk of being lost and how much of that type of habitat is already protected.

Cost and availability are added to the decision criteria followed by an examination of qualitative attributes such as the unique biophysical features such as land formations and potential for education and research.

All of these criteria help us make the best decision in our quest to conserve BC’s natural diversity.

Key Land Acquisitions

Antelope-brush Conservation Area, South Okanagan
In 2004 The Nature Trust secured 40 hectares (100 acres) of endangered Antelope-brush habitat between Oliver and Okanagan Falls in the South Okanagan. As well as protecting a rare ecosystem, the property provides a critical east-west corridor for wildlife and habitat for several threatened species. The Nature Trust hopes to expand this Conservation Area with another major purchase in 2005.

Burgoyne Bay, Salt Spring Island
The Nature Trust acquired 278 hectares (687 acres) along the north side of Burgoyne Bay on Salt Spring Island in 2001. It features the rare Garry Oak ecosystem which forms a mosaic with maritime meadows, coastal bluffs, vernal pools, grasslands and transitional forests. The biodiversity of this ecosystem is very high with hundreds of plants, several amphibians and reptile species, over 100 bird species and over 30 mammals and hundreds of invertebrates associated with it.

Englishman River, Vancouver Island
For over 20 years The Nature Trust and its partners have been working to conserve the Englishman River near Parksville on Vancouver Island. Among the most endangered rivers in BC, The Nature Trust has acquired 364 hectares (898 acres) of land along the river--some through purchase and other through donation such as 12.2 hectares (30 acres) from the Englishman River Land Corporation in 2003. The Nature Trust is continuing to work with its partners such as the Pacific Salmon Foundation on riparian restoration and enhancing the river for various fish species.

Francis Point, Sunshine Coast
In 2001 The Nature Trust acquired 72.8 hectares (180 acres) at Francis Point west of Madeira Park on the Sunshine Coast. This property is now part of Francis Point Provincial Park. It features the Very Dry Maritime Subzone of the Coastal Western Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone. This low elevation forest type is exclusive to the eastern side of Vancouver Island and small areas on the Sunshine Coast.

Hoodoos Property, East Kootenay
The Nature Trust purchased the 4,037-hectare (10,000-acre) Hoodoos Property in 2003 along with its conservation partners. Located in the East Kootenay in the Columbia River Valley between Fairmont Hot Springs and Invermere, this property features internationally significant wetlands and forests, extensive grasslands, and magnificent hoodoo formations on the southern edge. This acquisition is home to a number of red and blue listed species and is a vital wildlife corridor. The size of the property allows for habitat management on a landscape level along with other conservation areas in the region.

MacMillan Provincial Park, Vancouver Island
In 2005 The Nature Trust was a key partner in almost doubling the size of MacMillan Provincial Park near Port Alberni on Vancouver Island. MacMillan Park is a world renowned site and Cathedral Grove within the park features some of the oldest and largest Douglas fir trees on the planet. The expansion of the park allows for even more old growth trees to be conserved.

Roderick Haig-Brown Conservation Area
Between 1976 and 1986, The Nature Trust and its partners acquired 46.9 hectares (166 acres) on the Adams River in order to participate in the establishment of 977 hectare (1,436 acre) corridor along the world-famous sockeye salmon spawning grounds of the Adams River. It is named after one of the first directors of The Nature Trust, Roderick Haig-Brown, a well known conservationist, writer and magistrate.