The Province of British Columbia and the Nature Conservancy of Canada have partnered to ensure the continued protection of several ecologically sensitive properties formerly owned by The Land Conservancy
of BC (TLC).

The Province has committed $1 million and will assume ownership of several of the 26 conservation properties transferred from TLC to the Nature Conservancy of Canada in September 2015. The Province’s
contribution supports the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s agreement with TLC, which required a cash contribution to assist in the repayment of TLC’s creditors.

These high-priority properties contain some of the most biodiverse habitats in British Columbia, and are home to a wide variety of wildlife.

In October, the Province assumed ownership of the following properties:

* 3.7 hectares (two land parcels) along the Cowichan River on Vancouver
Island, which includes streamside habitat with a maple forest grove and
rare wildflowers.

* 45 hectares on the Similkameen River, featuring a rare riparian
floodplain and upland grasslands habitat for species at risk, which is
adjacent to the South Okanagan Grasslands Protected Area.

* 35 hectares known as the Woods Family property, which provides habitat
for bighorn sheep and is adjacent to Syringa Park near Castlegar.

The Province intends to add these properties to existing parks and
protected areas within the next five years. Additional properties to be
acquired as part of this partnership will be announced next year.