Nature Trust of BC Photo Book Excerpt

Contents 

Foreword by Ross Beaty 7 

Into the Wild 9 

The Nature Trust of British Columbia 17 

Build a Legacy with Us by Rob Butler 23 

Journey Across the Regions 25 

West Coast 27 

South Coast 39 

Thompson Okanagan 49 

Kootenay Boundary 59 

Cariboo 71 

Skeena 79 

Omineca 85 

Northeast 91 

Honourary Patrons & Directors 98 

Staff 101 

Special Contributors 102 

Anna’s Hummingbird 

• 3 •

photo text here 

• 22 • 

Trumpeter Swans at Somenos Flats

Build a Legacy with Us 

By Dr. Rob Butler, Director of The Nature Trust 

Our first land purchase in 1972 is now part of a treasury of more than 480 properties. 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. 

Less than a century ago, the survival of the trumpeter swan was in jeopardy. Years of hunting 

had brought it close to extinction. Recovery required the cessation of hunting and land to be 

set aside so it could repopulate. When I was a young man, swans were scarce. But a recovery 

was underway in part thanks to contributions of land by The Nature Trust and its partners on 

Vancouver Island. Today the swan’s bugling call resonates in the estuaries of British Columbia. 

The Nature Trust has assisted many other species including elk and bighorn sheep in the Kootenays, 

rare insects and plants in the Okanagan, and migrating birds in the Fraser Valley. 

The success of our organization is due to the support of many people, organizations and all 

levels of government who share our passion for British Columbia, and I hope you do too. We have 

accomplished a great deal on our journey but there remains much more to do. And we need your 

help to do this. 

Please consider a donation. The Nature Trust of BC is an effective and efficient land conservation 

organization. Decisions are made based on science guided by business management. The Nature 

Trust has no mortgages and carries no debt. Yearly external audits are undertaken. Our focus is 

solely British Columbia. Every dollar raised stays in our province. 

By giving to The Nature Trust of BC, you will be creating a lasting legacy for our children and 

grandchildren. Nature forever…what could be more important than that? 

• 23 •

British Columbia Regions 

• 24 •

Journey Across the Regions 

There are many ways that Nature Trust conservation properties 

could be arranged: by habitat type such as wetlands or grasslands, or 

by biogeoclimatic zones such as Coastal Douglas-fir or Bunchgrass. 

However, the way that seems to make the most sense is based 

on regions that our Conservation Land Managers oversee and 

which have been designated by the Province of BC to facilitate the 

management of our forests, lands and other natural resources: West 

Coast, South Coast, Thompson Okanagan, Kootenay Boundary, 

Cariboo, Skeena, Omineca and Northeast. 

We invite you to explore Nature Trust conservation properties as 

you travel across this amazing province. 

• 25 •

• 26 • 

Englishman River

West Coast 

This region includes Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, BC’s Central Coast and 

Haida Gwaii. The West Coast Region transitions from temperate rainforests near 

sea level, characterized by deep fjords, long inlets and estuaries, to the Coast 

Mountains, characterized by high rugged mountains, glaciers and alpine meadows. 

Vegetation is dominated by Coastal Western Hemlock and Mountain Hemlock 

ecosystems. The dry rain shadow areas of southeastern Vancouver Island and 

the Gulf Islands are in the Coastal Douglas-fir zone—an area of highest Provincial 

conservation concern. Within the Coastal Douglas-fir zone, the Garry oak and 

associated ecosystems are among the most endangered in Canada. The remaining 

Garry oak meadows, with their array of spring wildflowers, occur in fragmented 

patches, as half of the land in this zone has been converted to human uses. 

Unique and rare mammals, including the Kermode Bear and Vancouver Island 

The Nature Trust has acquired 116 properties 

covering 2,580 hectares (6,377 acres) in this region 

Marmot, occur in this region. Haida Gwaii, known as Canada’s Galapagos, is world 

renowned for its distinct animal species that have evolved over thousands of 

years in isolation from BC’s mainland. Waterfowl use coastal wetlands throughout 

the region while colonial breeding seabirds can be found nesting and foraging 

on islands, islets and cliffs. The coastal areas provide an essential corridor for 

millions of birds that migrate from as far away as South America to destinations 

in Alaska and the Arctic Circle. Brant geese, for example, migrate from Mexico to 

their northern breeding grounds and stop to rest and feed on the shores of mid- 

Vancouver Island. 

• 27 •

• 28 •

Mount Maxwell 

295.7 hectares (730 acres) 

Acquired 2001-2011 

Conservation of a Garry 

oak woodland in Mount 

Maxwell Ecological Reserve 

on Salt Spring Island 

MacMillan 


Acquired 2005 

Adding old growth forest and 

habitat for Roosevelt Elk to 

MacMillan Provincial Park 

near Port Alberni 

• 29 •

• 30 •

Salmon River Estuary 



Estuary lands north of Campbell River 

acquired to protect fish and wildlife habitats 

• 31 •

Shooting Star 

This pink flowering plant 

grows in open woodlands 

and moist areas and is seen 

here along the Salmon River 

Northern Rice Root 

This plant has distinctive brown 

flowers and often grows along 

shorelines and estuaries 

Conservation Youth Crew 

Restoring riparian habitat along 

the Salmon River 

• 32 •

• 33 •

• 34 •

Buttertubs Marsh 



Conservation of a freshwater 

marsh in Nanaimo 

The trails are used by 70,000 

people a year 

Restoring Painted Turtle Habitat 

Conservation Youth Crew restoring 

nesting area for endangered turtles 

at Buttertubs Marsh 

• 35 •

Brant Geese 

These small geese rest and feed on 

the shores of mid-Vancouver Island 

during their spring migration to 

northern breeding grounds 

Arrowsmith Naturalists 

This enthusiastic volunteer group 

assists with restoration on the 

Englishman River Estuary 

Englishman River Estuary 



Conservation of a critical estuary 

within Parksville-Qualicum Beach 

Wildlife Management Area 

• 36 •

• 37 •

• 38 • 

Fraser River Estuary-South Arm Marsh Islands

South Coast 

The South Coast Region covers the southwest corner of BC’s mainland including Metro 

Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast, Squamish-Whistler corridor, and the Lower Fraser 

Valley. This region is influenced by heavy fall and winter rains that promote the growth 

of huge conifers characteristic of BC’s temperate rainforests. These forests have a 

tangled undergrowth of Devil’s Club, Salmonberry, Salal, and a variety of ferns. This 

region is home to more than 60% of BC’s human population. And as a result, huge areas 

of these ecosystems have been converted to urban, industrial, and agricultural uses. 

A significant feature of this region is the Fraser River delta characterized by low 

hills and a narrow floodplain with nutrient rich soils comprised of glacial and alluvial 

deposits. Where the Fraser River meets and mixes with the Pacific Ocean, one of the 

largest estuaries along the North American Pacific Coast is formed. The Fraser River 

estuary is of international importance to millions of birds, fish and other wildlife. 


covering 1,731 hectares (4,279 acres) in this region 

Given its location mid-way along the Pacific Coast, it is a critical crossroad along the 

Pacific Flyway, a route that millions of birds traverse each year between breeding and 

wintering grounds on three continents. It is also Canada’s most important wintering 

area for migratory birds and most important estuary in BC for Pintail, Snow Geese and 

other waterfowl. The Fraser River is the largest salmon-producing river along the Pacific 

Coast. Chinook, Chum, Coho, Pink and Sockeye salmon traverse through the Fraser 

River estuary. As adults they migrate upstream to spawn along shallow gravel reaches 

of tributary streams and as young smolts they become accustomed to saltwater in the 

estuarine marshes and mudflats on their way out to oceanic habitats. 

• 39 •

Francis Point 


Acquired 2001 

Conservation of a dry coastal forest 

within Francis Point Provincial Park 

on the Sunshine Coast 

Squamish Estuary 


Acquired 2008 

Protection of a critical estuary 

adjacent to a Wildlife Management Area 

• 40 •

• 41 •

• 42 •

Tom Berry Road 



Conservation of old forest and 

riparian area along the banks 

of the Fraser River at Hope 

Sandpipers 

Hundreds of thousands of 

Sandpipers travel along the 

coast each year, especially 

in Boundary Bay 

• 43 •

Snowy Owl 

These birds are often seen at 

Boundary Bay in the winter 

Boundary Bay 

32 hectares (79 acres) 

Acquired 1987 

This internationally significant 

waterfowl habitat is threatened 

by an invasive plant called Spartina 

• 44 •

• 45 •

• 46 •


The Conservation Youth Crew and 

Chilliwack Field Naturalists team 

up to install a large post for a 

Barn Owl nesting box at Camp Slough 

Camp Slough 


Acquired 1994 

Conservation of a significant 

wetland and upland near Chilliwack 

Riverside Wetlands 


Acquired 2012 

Protection of a critical wetland 

ecosystem in the Pemberton Valley 

MacMillan Provincial Park 

• 47 •

• 48 • 

Vaseux Lake and McIntyre Bluff/nʕaylintn

Thompson Okanagan 

The Thompson Okanagan Region includes two distinct geographic areas. The 

Thompson portion extends from the Fraser River canyon to the Monashee Mountains, 

while the Okanagan portion extends south to the Canada-USA border. The Thompson 

area is characterized by gently rolling glacial benches comprised of vast grasslands, 

sagebrush-steppe, and dry forests transitioning eastward to interior temperate 

rainforests. The North and South Thompson Rivers define the Thompson Basin, 

merging near Kamloops to form the largest tributary flowing into the Fraser River. This 

area supports expansive ranchlands. Although grasslands are abundant in this region, 

they are a rare ecosystem in British Columbia, covering less than 1% of the province. It 

is difficult to find any large undisturbed grassland in BC, since non-native plants have 

spread through these ecosystems. As a result, grasslands are considered to be more 

endangered than coastal old growth forests. 


covering 2,949 hectares (7,287 acres) in this region, 

plus 1 grazing lease (76 hectares/187 acres) and 

2 grazing licenses (46,396 hectares/114,647 acres) 

The Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys represent the northernmost extension 

of the Great Basin of North America. The Okanagan Valley stretches 200 kilometres 

(124 miles) and is bounded by the Cascade Mountains on the west and the Monashee 

Mountains on the east. Low annual precipitation, hot summers, and mild winters create 

a variety of semi-arid ecosystems. These valleys have a diversity of habitats including 

a network of large valley bottom lakes, alkaline ponds, low elevation grasslands, 

Antelope-brush steppe, Ponderosa Pine forests, and prickly-pear cactus in Canada’s 

only true desert near Osoyoos. The South Okanagan is not only noted for the diversity 

and uniqueness of its plant and animal species, it is also the region with the most 

endangered, threatened and rare species in the province. 

• 49 •

Okanagan Falls Biodiversity Ranch 

714.8 hectares (1,766 acres) 

plus grazing licenses and lease 


Biodiversity Ranch program 

integrating livestock management 

with conservation of habitat for 

species at risk 

Okanagan River Oxbow 


Acquired 2009 

Conservation of riparian 

ecosystem along the 

Okanagan River 

• 50 •

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• 52 •

Antelope-Brush 



Endangered ecosystem which is 

home to many species at risk 

Bighorn Sheep 

These animals require grasslands 

and rocky terrain for survival which 

are abundant in the McTaggart-Cowan/ 

nsək’łniw’t Wildlife Management Area 

• 53 •


The crews undertake a variety of tasks each 

summer including monitoring wildlife (such 

as the Burrowing Owls shown on this page) 

and plants (shown on the page opposite) 

as well as habitat restoration 

• 54 •

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• 56 •

Roderick Haig-Brown 

Signage at the park acknowledges 

Roderick Haig-Brown’s contribution 

to conservation in the province, 

especially his passion for rivers, 

and his service on the Board of 

Directors of The Nature Trust 

Roderick Haig-Brown-Adams River 



Conservation of land to protect 

Sockeye salmon spawning grounds 

within Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial 

Park along the Adams River 

• 57 •

Nature Trust of BC Photo Book Excerpt

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