TLC wildlife camera in the Highlands district of Southern Vancouver Island snaps a picture of a healthy black bear (Ursus americanus) taking an early spring stroll.

Help TLC raise $54,000 for vital care of B.C.’s forests, wetlands, coastlines and wildlife.

In early March, a cheeky surprise was in store for field staff inspecting a TLC wildlife camera stationed in the Highlands district of Southern Vancouver Island. Late winter is an especially vulnerable time for wildlife across British Columbia: food is scarce, weather conditions are harsh, and for some species, new young add further challenges. The presence of such a bodacious black bear (Ursus americanus) at this time of year is an encouraging sign. It highlights our protected area’s ability to support large omnivores and offers hope for the continued presence of this iconic species in B.C. As spring’s tender greenery emerges and wildlife re-establishes familiar foraging and migratory routes, the importance of these natural habitats remaining protected cannot be overstated. TLC is honoured to work with supporters like you, who ensure these wild spaces are safeguarded in perpetuity.

Much like an annual doctor’s appointment, TLC’s monitoring work serves as an ecological health check. Regular site visits allow us to detect early warning signs, track recovery, and guide care before small issues impact plants and wildlife. Instead of stethoscopes and blood‑pressure cuffs, our land management team heads into the field with maps, measuring tools, cameras, and drones to read the land’s vital signs.

One of our first “check-ups” this spring is a return visit to the Sooke Hills, where the field team will continue to monitor the covenant’s recovery after the “Old Man Lake” wildfire burned 228.6 hectares (564.9 acres) in 2024. This time, the team will observe a new area, and weather permitting, deploy TLC’s new drone to gain a clearer aerial view of the canopy. This new dataset will inform us of the return of early-succession native plants and the presence of opportunistic invasive species. At the doctor’s office, catching a concern early results in a better outcome for the patient. The same is true for ecosystems. Detecting and removing invasive species early supports forest recovery by reducing wildfire fuel loads and creating space for native biodiversity to return. TLC’s 2026 monitoring efforts will expand to other fire-affected regions of the province, including the Clearwater River Valley and the Eastern Kootenays. Like tracking a chronic condition over time, collecting long-term data from these landscapes helps us better understand how fire behaves across B.C. and ensures that recovery plans are tailored, effective, and region-specific.

If TLC’s monitoring visits are the protected area’s annual “physical”, then stewardship plans are their rehabilitation program. As dedicated caretakers of British Columbia’s natural habitats, TLC also works to restore balance to previously damaged ecosystems. This year, TLC is developing a new five-year invasive species management plan for its covenant at the Ayum Creek Regional Park Reserve in Sooke, in collaboration with the T’Sou-ke Nation, Habitat Acquisition Trust, and the Capital Regional District (CRD). The plan will build on work underway since 2017 to detect and remove invasive dwarf periwinkle (Vinca minor) and other high-priority invasive species across the CRD. It will also include plans to reintroduce native plant species, starting with planting at the “Ayum Creek: Plant the Peninsula” Passport to Nature event on October 17^th, alongside regional volunteers.

Field team members, Michelle (left) and Beth (right), survey TLC’s Second Lake wetland from the skies with the new drone. 

Every strong healthcare system relies on people. The world of conservation is no different. Time and again, we are inspired by the diversity of passionate nature-lovers who support our work caring for over 15,000 acres across B.C. At TLC’s Max Lake covenant in Penticton, for example, a group of Okanagan middle school students, led by TLC partner the Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society (OASISS), recently planted 130 native shrubs and trees across a one‑hectare area. Their work brings renewed hope for one of the region’s few remaining protected wetlands, while fostering a sense of connection and stewardship among the next generation. Furthermore, at Abkhazi Garden, which celebrates its 80^th anniversary in 2026, more than 70 dedicated volunteer docents, greeters, and gardeners bring true meaning to “the Garden That Love Built.”  Their care and commitment sustain this cherished sanctuary, which welcomes thousands of visitors each year.

With community at the heart of conservation, TLC is committed to ensuring all voices are heard in the protection of B.C.’s wild spaces. Guided by our latest Strategic Plan, we are deepening our commitment to reconciliation and collaborative, nature-based learning. Recently, TLC has welcomed Directors and members of the community to its new Indigenous Engagement Committee. This committee acts to build meaningful partnerships between TLC and B.C.’s First Nations communities, which allows for collaboration on conservation solutions that build on the legacy of stewardship these Nations have accomplished through time immemorial. Already, this work has supported tangible acts of reconciliation, including the dedication of a legacy donor’s gift to the SȾÁUTW̱ (TSAWOUT) Land Back Campaign, in partnership with the Salt Spring Island Foundation. These efforts are complemented by TLC’s new Education Strategy, which supports accessible, low-barrier learning opportunities like our Passport to Nature program that connect people who care about nature with meaningful ways to get involved in conservation across British Columbia.

Help Keep Nature Healthy

This spring, TLC is aiming to raise $54,000 to support the ongoing care of more than 15,000 acres of protected land across British Columbia. Your generous gift is like preventative care for the natural world: helping us protect new biodiverse areas, carry out essential ecological “check‑ups,” and provide hands‑on stewardship where ecosystems need it most.

Your support ensures that B.C.’s forests, wetlands, coastlines, and wildlife continue to receive the thoughtful, proactive care they need, so these landscapes remain vibrant and resilient for generations to come.

We invite you to be part of nature’s care team by:

• Making a gift online at www.conservancy.bc.ca/donate
• Calling 250-479-8053 (toll-free 1‑877‑485‑2422) to donate by phone
• Sending an e-transfer to accounting@conservancy.bc.ca 
• Or mailing a gift to our office at:
  The Land Conservancy of B.C.
  5150 Cordova Bay Road
  Victoria, B.C. V8Y 2K6
• All donations are eligible for 2026 charitable tax receipts.

On behalf of TLC’s staff and board, thank you for your generosity and for helping keep British Columbia’s natural habitats healthy and thriving.

Dianna Stenberg
Executive Director
The Land Conservancy of B.C.