B.C. Parks To Expand Five Provincial Parks
B.C. Parks announced that they have acquired 109 hectares of land to expand five provincial parks. This includes an old-growth forest in Naikoon Park (Haida Gwaii) and a lush, forested hillside along Bowron Lake and more. These acquisitions aim to enhance protection of vital ecosystems and wildlife habitat and provide better access to outdoor recreation.
“Our government continually looks for opportunities to acquire more ecologically and culturally significant land for conservation purposes, and for people to enjoy. Acquiring these lands enhances protection of important ecosystems and wildlife habitat, and improves access to outdoor recreation experiences.”
The newly acquired land is valued at $1.9 million and includes:
Naikoon Park (Haida Gwaii): 64 hectares of an inholding (land surrounded by existing park) that contains old-growth forest located deep inside the park.
Wells Gray Park (near Clearwater): 33.25 hectares of an inholding that contains wetlands, advanced second-growth forest and habitat for black bears, moose, deer, birds and small mammals.
Gladstone Park (near Grand Forks): 8.28 hectares that contains a popular local swimming area known as the potholes. The addition will help improve the existing trail network and connectivity through the park.
Bowron Lake Park (near Quesnel): Three hectares of an inholding on a forested hillside above Bowron Lake. The addition will contribute to the diversity of the park’s landscape, including lower-elevation mature spruce, subalpine fir and western red cedar forests.
Mount Pope Park (near Fort St. James): 0.15 hectares to connect the existing climbing area to a planned parking/turnaround space on the existing road.
Through the acquisition of private land and partnerships with conservation groups, individual donors, the BC Parks Foundation and supporters, the Province regularly adds land to the parks and protected areas system. The BC Parks Foundation, the official charitable partner of BC Parks, assisted with funding for these acquisitions.
“This is another great example of what British Columbians can accomplish when they work together. Every contribution adds up, and everyone gets to feel the wonderful sense of pride and accomplishment that comes with keeping B.C. beautiful, forever.”
The Province is consulting with First Nations’ governments prior to making decisions about legally establishing the lands as parks and protected areas.
British Columbia has 1,039 provincial parks, recreation areas, conservancies, ecological reserves and protected areas covering more than 14 million hectares or approximately 14.4% of the land base.
