TLC will be stepping forward to help ensure the protection of key parcels of the Western Forest Products lands that have been put on the market.
Sandcut Beach. Photo by Josh Lewis.
TLC Executive Director Bill Turner said today that there are several properties with significant environmental and recreational values that need to be protected for public access and use. In particular, he referred to the lands adjacent to the Sooke Potholes Regional Park, lands that provide access to and protection for Sandcut Beach near Jordan River, and the waterfront areas of Jordan River.
“All of these sites are critical from a conservation perspective,” Turner said. “They must be protected for the public, and TLC will step in to make sure that happens. As we have done before with properties like the Sooke Potholes and Abkhazi Garden, we are prepared to do whatever is necessary to ensure that the public can retain access to these wonderful sites.”
Harrison Trail by M.E.Sanseverino
Turner indicated that TLC has been interested in these properties since they first came on the market two years ago, and now the opportunity is realistic. TLC is actively working to help bring together a significant partnership with others interested in protecting these lands, and that he expects such a partnership will include various levels of government. “There is a great deal of interest from the public and from many organizations wanting to protect these sites, and I expect we will all be in a position to move forward soon,” he said.
TLC has begun to raise funds to protect these sites, and already has pledges of more than $250,000. Donations can be made on the TLC website or by calling 1-877-485-2422.
In addition to these conservation properties, TLC is open to considering a further offer to include other lands that may be more suited to other uses such as community woodlots that could help sustain local employment and economic development. “That would depend on whether we could find suitable partners interested in pursuing those activities,” Turner said.
Jordan River. Photo by Josh Lewis.
Offers will be made to Western Forest Products after the March 8 target date set by WFP.
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Contact: Bill Turner, Executive Director, The Land Conservancy, bturner@conservancy.bc.ca, cell: 250-589-8024, work: 250-479-8053
Great these properties are irreplaceable. The trail along Charters Creek is wonderful butterfly habitate, mature big leaf maple, great, enhanced salmon spawning, Sandcut beach We have made our donation to its preservation. When we travel this summer our carbon off set money will go to preserving these land; a further donation. We will not have a supernatural British Columbia with our wild coast unless all of us step forward and pull our government with us. I hope the UBC proposal can go ahead to capture all of the WFP lands
I have never been more proud to be a member of TLC. Those WFP Lands are so valuable and spectacular – they have to be protected from development at all costs! I am overjoyed that the TLC has stepped in to keep those lands the way they were meant to be – natural and priceless. My membership in the TLC was the best money that I have ever spent in my lifetime.
In my opinion, any deal to purchase those lands must NOT involve Brookfield Asset Management ! That company is the biggest real estate company in the world and you can bet your life that they are hungry to get their hands on those gorgeous west coast beaches and world renowned panoramas. Brookfield Asset Management should NEVER get their hands on those precious lands – that company should NOT have any part of any negotiations or land deals !
Bravo Bill Turner and the TLC !!
From : Doreen Marion Gee