Barry Coulter
With files from NCC
A stable future is secured for a piece of private property alongside Elizabeth Lake, with its transfer to the The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC).
The NCC announced the aquisition of 26 high-value conservation properties, including the Cranbrook piece, on Wednesday, Sept. 30.
The one-and-a-half-acre piece of property was leased to the Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC) in 1998, said Lesley Marian Neilson, Communications Manager for the NCC.
"This transfer of lands is part of the TLC's plan to sell many of its properties in order to deal with its debt."
Neilson said that these high-priority conservation properties contain some of the most significant habitats for biodiversity in BC, including species at risk and vulnerable rare ecosystems. Spanning forest, wetland and grasslands, these lands provide habitat for migratory birds, grizzly bears, salmon and many other native wildlife.
"Today's transfer of title to NCC marks a significant step in securing a conservation future for these properties."
For more than a year, NCC has worked with The Nature Trust of BC, TLC and others to find a way to ensure the conservation status of TLC's high-priority conservation lands and provide for their long-term stewardship.
Some of the 26 properties will be transferred to The Nature Trust; final details about subsequent transfers are still being worked out.
The properties are located all across the province.
"The Nature Conservancy of Canada was extremely motivated to ensure these important properties remain protected, and to uphold the expectations of the donors who had originally contributed to their conservation," said Nancy Newhouse, acting regional vice president for the BC Region, Nature Conservancy of Canada.
"We are committed to providing for the long-term stewardship of all our conservation properties, and we are honoured to assume responsibility for these special places."