NEWS RELEASE
CLEARWATER ANCIENT SWAMP AND WILDLIFE CORRIDOR
SUCCESSFULLY PROTECTED
Land Trust raises $99,000 to protect the migratory wildlife corridor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 2, 2020
Clearwater, BC – The Land Conservancy of B.C. (TLC) is pleased to announce the successful purchase and protection of the Clearwater Ancient Swamp and Wildlife Corridor. The 11 hectare (28 acre) wildlife corridor provides a safe migratory route for countless deer, moose, cougar, bobcat, grizzly (federally listed as Special Concern under Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA)), black bear, wolves, coyotes and their offspring.
The charitable land trust launched the acquisition campaign in April 2019 to raise $99,000 to protect the Clearwater River Valley wildlife corridor. Additionally, an endowment fund of $16,000 has been established with the Victoria Foundation for the long-term stewardship of the lands. This acquisition was made possible by individual TLC donors and a grant from the Government of Canada through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program, part of Canada’s Nature Fund.
Since Wells Gray Provincial Park was established in 1939, the southern border of the park has been extended several times. As a result, two southward lobes of park land were without designated wildlife corridors connecting them. TLC’s protection of this private land will enable the park’s large wildlife to safely cross the valley twice each year as they migrate between their winter and summer ranges. Contiguous to the south of TLC’s existing 46 hectares (113 acres) of wetlands and wildlife corridors in the area, the Clearwater Ancient Swamp and Wildlife Corridor will remain a wildlife refuge and site for naturalist education.
“With the help of partners like The Land Conservancy of British Columbia, we are making progress toward conserving 25 percent of Canada’s land and 25 percent of its oceans by 2025 and working toward 30 percent of each by 2030. The conservation of Clearwater Ancient Swamp and Wildlife Corridor, with support from the Canada Nature Fund’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program, will protect biodiversity in British Columbia and connect Canadians with nature.” – The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“We are so pleased to be able to protect this corridor as a permanent migratory route and site for education and research,” said Cathy Armstrong, TLC Executive Director. “We are eagerly anticipating sharing the Clearwater Ancient Swamp and Wildlife Corridor with TLC’s Deertrails Naturalist Program students this spring.”
About
The Land Conservancy of BC (TLC) is a non-profit, charitable Land Trust working throughout British Columbia. TLC’s primary mandate is to benefit the community by protecting habitat for natural communities of plants and animals. Founded in 1997, TLC is membership-based and governed by an elected, volunteer Board of Directors. TLC relies on a strong membership and volunteer base to help maintain its operations.
Learn more about TLC’s Clearwater Ancient Swamp and Wildlife Corridor, other projects, and programs at www.conservancy.bc.ca.
The Government of Canada’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP) is a unique public-private partnership to support new protected and conserved areas by securing private lands and private interests in lands. The program is managed by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). Federal funds invested in the program are matched with contributions raised by NCC and its partners, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the country’s land trust community.
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Media contact
Cathy Armstrong
TLC Executive Director
Office: (250) 479-8053
Cell: (250) 588-4945
Email: carmstrong@conservancy.bc.ca
