Land management allows us to manage conservation lands in accordance with long-term management goals for each property, in order to maintain or restore ecological integrity. For example, access is an important consideration. Public access and recreation are allowed on Nature Trust properties when consistent with habitat management objectives for each property.

The Nature Trust of BC employs regional land managers in strategic locations in the province to address day-to-day and long-term management needs for individual properties. Offices are located in Nanaimo, Vancouver, Penticton and Cranbrook.

We also work with a wide variety of partners in managing our holdings, governments (federal, provincial, regional, and local), conservation agencies, naturalist and fish and game clubs, First Nations, and private individuals who have mutual conservation goals with The Nature Trust of BC.

The location and area of land is an important measure of our success, but the real test of The Nature Trust is the ongoing survival of living things on our conservation properties.

Dr. Rob Butler, Past Director

Management Activities

Land management includes many activities, which vary throughout the province, depending on regional habitat needs. Regional land managers are our local representatives, communicating with neighbours and the general public, planning for conservation at a landscape level with conservation partners, and conducting on-the-ground land management activities. These activities include removing invasive plants, prescribed burning, boundary maintenance, thinning of ingrown forest areas, livestock management, and a variety of other initiatives.

All management tasks are undertaken with the best available science in mind, through consultation with regional biologists, experts, and land managers, to ensure that projects are effective, efficient, and practical.

Conservation Youth Crew Program

Many of our land management tasks are completed with the assistance of Conservation Youth Crews, working in particular regions of the province from May through August. Crew participants gain valuable experience and training in the field of land management while acting as ambassadors for conservation with the community and their peers.