BC Marine Trails website
The BC Marine Trails website Kayak Resources, BC coast, Kayak Map, Paddling Vancouver is a very interesting resource also for motorized recreational boaters. Read more…
Andreas Truckenbodt
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Crowdfunding Campaign Protects Large Waterfront Property on Saturna Island – including a contribution from MPFS
February 3, 2025 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Vancouver, BC – Thanks to an extraordinary community effort, 372 acres of pristine waterfront on Saturna Island will now be protected forever. This rare property, nestled beside the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, boasts more than three kilometers of coastline, pockets of old-growth, and Garry Oak meadows—comprising one of British Columbia’s most endangered ecosystems.
Photography credit: Nancy Angermeyer
The campaign to protect this land was made possible through the dedication of the original landowner’s family, the generosity of donors of all sizes, and the commitment of conservation partners. After major contributions from Wilson 5 Foundation and Environment and Climate Change Canada, a final push of $500,000 was needed to get across the finish line. Supporters from across BC and beyond came together to meet the goal, including key gifts from BC Marine Parks Forever Society, Ilka and Allen Olsen, and the Bloom Alter Ego Trust.
“This is about the power of community,” says Andy Day, CEO of BC Parks Foundation. “From small donors to major contributors, each and every person played a part in protecting this place forever. It shows what we can accomplish when we come together around the things we value.”
Photography credit: Nancy Angermeyer
The land holds deep significance to the family that stewarded it for decades.
“My father spent every moment he could exploring the property, maintaining the land, and gazing out at the ocean and the incredible views,” says Alex, whose family made the decision to conserve the property in his honour. “The Garry Oak meadows, old-growth cedars, and stands of giant Douglas firs create an incredible variety of coastal ecosystems. These kinds of places are precious—they’re what make BC beautiful. I’m so grateful for everyone who has come together to support BC Parks Foundation in their efforts to protect this land.”
The property lies within the Coastal Douglas Fir biogeoclimatic zone, one of the rarest and least protected ecosystems in BC. Its diverse ecosystems, including Garry Oak meadows, wetlands, grasslands, woodlands, and coastline, are home to a variety of plants and animals, including at-risk species such as the Northern Red-legged Frog and the Great Blue Heron, which have faced a steady population decline since the 1980s due to habitat loss and human disturbance.
Photography credit: Nancy Angermeyer
This is one of the largest conservation projects in recent years for private waterfront in the Gulf Islands, protecting more than three kilometers of undeveloped waterfront. “I was very pleased to hear from BC Parks Foundation that there would be an opportunity to acquire key properties on Saturna Island,” says Jim Phillips, President of BC Marine Parks Forever Society. “The B.C. Marine Parks Forever Society is supported by recreational boaters and conservation groups, and we were excited to learn that we could help protect and conserve 372 acres of undeveloped land, with 3km of shoreline overlooking waters favoured by Orcas.”
The property’s ecological and conservation value is significant, which is why it also received strong support from the Saturna Island Marine Research and Education Society (SIMRES). In addition to making a financial contribution, SIMRES played a key role in community outreach and raising awareness about the campaign. “SIMRES supports the purchase by BC Parks Foundation and is very pleased that this special Saturna property will be undeveloped and preserved as a conservation area in perpetuity,” says SIMRES President Maureen Welton.
Photography credit: Nancy Angermeyer
With the land now protected, the next steps will involve working with the community, First Nations, and conservation partners to develop a management plan that safeguards its sensitive ecosystems while allowing for safe and responsible light recreational use.
“We all know about climate and species loss and the problems we face these days,” says Day. “This is an example of something tangible that people can do to make a difference. Protecting a place like this is a gift that keeps giving for wildlife and people now and far into the future. I can’t think of anything better than that.”
Video credit: Nancy Angermeyer
Find photos of the Saturna Island property here.
About BC Parks Foundation
BC Parks Foundation is the official charitable partner and conservation financing mechanism for parks and Indigenous protected areas in British Columbia. We inspire and empower people to enjoy and protect these natural spaces so they flourish now, for all, forever.
Media Contact
Robin Gill
Communications Consultant
robin.gill@bcparksfoundation.ca
778-968-0708
BC Parks marine user research survey
BC Parks wants to speak with people who go boating on B.C.’s coastal waters and who visit marine parks by means of a survey:
Bute Island stern ties preserve natural beauty and improve shoreline boater safety
The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD), with technical, materials and funding assistance from the BC Marine Parks Forever Society, installed 8 stern tie pins and chains to improve anchoring safety for boaters at Bute Island Regional Park in Ladysmith Harbour.
Stern Tie or Anchor?
If ever you needed a reason to stern tie instead of anchoring, Larry O’Keefe’s article referencing “anchor-dragging carnage when the winds came up” in Prideaux Haven will give you pause for thought. Over a dozen new stern ties were installed in Prideaux in 2018 – secure to one of them and sleep soundly!
How to Stern Tie
If you’ve ever been challenged trying to stern tie, as I have, here’s a great little article about using a messenger line to make it easier, courtesy of Jennifer and James Hamilton. Note that the image in the article shows stern-tying to a tree, which is not allowed within the Gulf Islands National Parks and can be harmful to our trees elsewhere – whenever possible, please check the list of stern tie locations on this site and use a sturdy Marine Parks Forever stern tie instead of a tree. Enjoy!
How You Can Help
Canadian and American boaters can help to make boater’s life better and protect the environment by supporting the work of the Marine Parks Forever Society
The B.C. Marine Parks Forever Society is committed to making improvements that enhance the boating experience. The society is a Canadian non-profit organization welcoming donations from Canada as well as the United States.
The Economic Effect of Recreational Boating
Did you know that recreational boating is not only about having fun but also a very powerful economic factor in BC?
A National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Canada study found that recreational boating injected $1.3 billion into B.C.’s economy in 2016 on revenues of $2.2 billion, and employed nearly 17,000 British Columbians.