Province announces new protected lands throughout B.C.

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The Government of British Columbia has announced that more than 190 hectares of ecologically sensitive land throughout B.C. has been acquired as new parks, or as additions to existing provincial parks.

“Parks benefit our environment, our economy, and make life better for people in B.C. every day,” said Premier John Horgan. “By protecting these lands today, we’re expanding the beautiful parks B.C. is known for around the world, and making sure this land will be here for future generations.”

The six parcels of land were acquired through purchase, donation or subdivision dedication. The most significant acquisition includes 144 hectares of land known as Eagle Heights, near Koksilah River on southern Vancouver Island. The Province purchased the property for $7.15 million, supported by a $400,000 contribution from the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, via the Cowichan Valley Regional District, and a $225,000 contribution from the Cowichan Community Land Trust.

“Our partners help BC Parks identify important areas, so that the ecological, recreational and cultural values of these lands remain intact and protected,”said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “By ensuring the conservation and preservation of these sensitive lands, our children, their children, and future generations will be able to enjoy these beautiful natural spaces for years to come.”

One of the largest park systems in the world, British Columbia has 1,033 provincial parks, recreation areas, conservancies, ecological reserves and protected areas. They cover more than 14 million hectares, or approximately 14.4% of the provincial land base.

“I applaud the passion, time and effort of several Cowichan Valley area organizations, which worked tirelessly over the years to help secure this special place,” said Sonia Furstenau, MLA for the Cowichan Valley. “Eagle Heights is a unique area of significant importance, not only to residents of the Cowichan Valley, but also as a great spiritual and cultural connection to the Cowichan Tribes. I am pleased this rare habitat will be preserved in perpetuity.”

The parcels of land are valued at approximately $10 million. The properties acquired are:

  • 144 hectares of land called Eagle Heights, near Koksilah River on southern Vancouver Island;
  • 2.5 hectares at Harmony Islands Marine Provincial Park along the Sunshine Coast, supported by a $750,000 contribution from the BC Marine Parks Forever Society;
  • 17 hectares at Kikomun Creek Provincial Park in the Kootenays;
  • 16.4 hectares at Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park in the Okanagan;
  • 9.45 hectares at Dionisio Point Provincial Park on Galiano Island, and
  • Four hectares at Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park in the Kootenays.

Learn More:

To learn more about the BC Parks Land Acquisition Program, please visit: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/partnerships/landAcquisition.html

For more information about BC Parks, please visit: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/

View the official announcement here