Lands transferred to the Nature Conservancy of Canada from TLC
Creekside Rainforest, B.C. (Photo by Tamsin Baker)
In 2015, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) accepted responsibility for 26 ecological conservation properties from The Land Conservancy of BC. This transfer of lands from one land trust to another was undertaken to assure a secure future for these important natural areas.
Thanks to strong partnerships, NCC was able to share the responsibility for ensuring the ongoing protection of these lands by transferring ownership of some to other agencies who were better positioned to care for those specific properties.
NCC now owns and stewards 13 of the conservation areas, while the Nature Trust of British Columbia has taken on five, and BC Parks has folded eight into the provincial parks and protected-areas portfolio.
For further information about any of these conservation areas, please contact the relevant management agency.
Nature Conservancy of Canada
| Name | Location | Key features |
| Avola Creek |
Wells Gray Country | Channels and pools for salmon spawning |
| Centre Creek | Surrey | Restored creek and streamside ecosystem; salmon habitat |
| Clare Winnett Copeland Conservation Area |
Shawnigan Lake, Vancouver Island | Mature to old-growth Douglas-fir forest, large western red cedars, wetlands |
| Creekside Rainforest |
Salt Spring Island | Salmon-bearing stream, rare red-legged frogs and culturally modified trees |
| Horsefly River Riparian Conservation Area |
Cariboo | Riverfront and floodplain habitat on important salmon river; migratory birds, moose and grizzly bear habitat |
| Kindwood | Highlands, Vancouver Island | Mature second-growth forest adjacent to existing parks |
| Laux Conservation Area | West Kootenay | Mature cedar-hemlock forest, wetlands and streamside habitat; large maternal colony of little brown bats |
| Lehman Springs Conservation Area | Osoyoos | Some of BC’s largest western larch trees |
| Lohbrunner Woods | Langford, Vancouver Island | Coastal Douglas-fir forest |
| Luke Creek Corridor | Kimberley | Wetlands, grassland and aspen forest habitats for migratory birds and at-risk species |
| Raymond M. Goodall Ecological Land Reserve |
Salt Spring Island | Oceanfront property with old-growth cedar and fir, pockets of Garry oak and rocky outcrops |
| Talking Mountain Ranch | Clinton | A working ranch that protects endangered native grasslands |
| Turtle Valley Farm | Chase | Native forest and agricultural lands; original homestead of George Chase |
BC Parks
| name | location | key features |
| Cowichan River Properties (2) |
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island | Streamside habitat with fisheries values; maple forest grove with rare wildflowers |
| Cusheon Cove | Salt Spring Island | Estuary, Garry oak and arbutus habitat and grassy meadows; located within Ruckle Provincial Park |
| Elizabeth Lake |
Cranbrook | Sanctuary for waterfowl and migratory birds; home to deer, moose, fox and coyote, among other wildlife |
| Natasha Boyd Wetland Conservation Area |
McBride | Wetland habitat for moose, mule deer, grizzly and black bear, wolf, beaver, songbirds and waterfowl; trails and interpretive signage |
| Similkameen River Pines |
South Okanagan | Rare riparian flood plain and upland grasslands habitat for species at risk |
| West Twin Protected Area |
McBride | 3 kms along the Fraser River featuring fish and wildlife habitat; rare cottonwood stand; adjacent to West Twin Provincial Park |
| Woods Family Property | Castlegar | Adjacent to Syringa Provincial Park; habitat for bighorn sheep |
The Nature Trust of BC
| name | location | key features |
| Nanaimo River Properties (2) |
Nanaimo | Last remaining intact streamside habitat on the lower Nanaimo River; old-growth Douglas-fir forest; leased to the Regional District of Nanaimo as parkland |
| Peachcliff Conservation Area |
Okanagan Falls | Globally-imperilled antelope-brush plant community; bighorn sheep, many species of snakes, canyon wren, Behr’s hairstreak |
| South Winchelsea Island |
Salish Sea |
Nesting and resting place for birds; California and Steller sea lion haul out area; exceptional Garry oak and Coastal Douglas-fir ecosystems |
| Wycliffe Wildlife Corridor |
Kimberley | Open grasslands with wildlife trees, hoodoo formations and rock outcrops; cottonwood stands and wetlands for songbirds, turtles and amphibians; several at-risk plant species and communities |
