The Government of British Columbia has announced that more than 190 hectares of ecologically sensitive land throughout B.C. has been acquired as new parks, or as additions to existing provincial parks, including 17 hectares at Kikomun Creek Provincial Park and four ha at Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park.

The province purchased the 17-ha property in the middle of Kikomun Creek Provincial Park, near Baynes Lake, for $880,000.

Features of the newly acquired property, which will be added to the park, include part of a drumlin, grassland, a natural pond and wetland area. Kikomun Creek Provincial Park protects a rare open forest and grassland, and features four kilometres of lakefront.

“This is a huge announcement for our community,” said Stan Doehle, Regional District of East Kootenay Electoral Area B director. “The Carlson family has supported the citizens of Baynes Lake for years, and Jane was known for her passionate commitment to the area. It is wonderful to see the property become part of the park so that it will be protected and enjoyed by all. This is what the family wanted, and what we have been working towards for a long time. I know Jane would be so proud.”

Located northeast of Kaslo, near the community of Birchdale, the four-ha parcel of land beside the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Park worth $60,000, was donated by the Farr-Jones family. It will provide an important habitat connection to the larger portion of the Conservancy. With pasture areas and fruit trees, the donated parcel of land is expected to return to its natural state.

“The Farr-Jones family’s gift to the citizens of British Columbia is a wonderful reminder of the connection that people have to BC Parks,” said Bill Bryce, president of the Friends of West Kootenay Parks Society.

“Parks benefit our environment, our economy, and make life better for people in B.C. every day,” said Premier John Horgan. “By protecting these lands today, we’re expanding the beautiful parks B.C. is known for around the world, and making sure this land will be here for future generations.”

The six parcels of land were acquired through purchase, donation or subdivision dedication. The most significant acquisition includes 144 hectares of land known as Eagle Heights, near Koksilah River on southern Vancouver Island. The province purchased the property for $7.15 million, supported by a $400,000 contribution from the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, via the Cowichan Valley Regional District, and a $225,000 contribution from the Cowichan Community Land Trust.

“Our partners help BC Parks identify important areas, so that the ecological, recreational and cultural values of these lands remain intact and protected,”said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “By ensuring the conservation and preservation of these sensitive lands, our children, their children, and future generations will be able to enjoy these beautiful natural spaces for years to come.”

One of the largest park systems in the world, British Columbia has 1,033 provincial parks, recreation areas, conservancies, ecological reserves and protected areas. They cover more than 14 million hectares, or approximately 14.4% of the provincial land base.

The parcels of land are valued at approximately $10 million. The properties acquired are:

* Four hectares at Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park in the Kootenays.

* 17 hectares at Kikomun Creek Provincial Park in the East Kootenay;

* 144 hectares of land called Eagle Heights, near Koksilah River on southern Vancouver Island;

* 2.5 hectares at Harmony Islands Marine Provincial Park along the Sunshine Coast, supported by a $750,000 contribution from the BC Marine Parks Forever Society;

* 16.4 hectares at Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park in the Okanagan;

* 9.45 hectares at Dionisio Point Provincial Park on Galiano Island.

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