Cusheon Cove

Cusheon Cove

Cusheon Cove is a mud and gravel bay highly productive intertidal estuary with a creek flowing out of the cove said to have salmon bearing potential. The property contains a variety of ecosystem types, the dominant one being older second growth Coastal douglas-fir forest as mapped through the BC Conservation Data Centre’s Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory. This property is located in the moist maritime subzone of the Coastal Douglas fir Biogeoclimatic zone.

TLC worked with BC Parks to acquire three parcels of land at Cushion Cove, adjacent to Ruckle Provincial Park. The total acquisition was close to four million dollars and was funded by an Ecological Gift by the previous landowner, the Province of BC, and TLC through the BC Trust for Public Land and generous contributions by members of the public. TLC retains partial ownership on one parcel of land and has leased the land to BC Parks for 99 years. The other two parcels are wholely owned by BC Parks.

The BC Parks management planning process for Cushion Cove is currently underway as an addendum to the existing plan for Ruckle Provincial Park. TLC is involved as a member of the Technical Advisory Committee to advise the management planning process.

        Clare Winnett Copeland Property

Clare Winnett Copeland Property

In December of 2001, TLC received a very generous donation of land adjacent to Shawnigan Lake near Victoria. This donation was made in memory of Ms. Copeland who was the first property owner in the 1900s. Areas surrounding Shawnigan Lake are under increasing pressure to develop and much of the old growth Douglas fir forest of the area has been logged. The area, totalling 0.91 hectares and comprising three parcels, will remain undeveloped and The Land Conservancy will work to ensure a healthy example of a Douglas-fir ecosystem with no exotic plant species on site.

The majority of the property consists of a mature to old growth Douglas-fir forest ecosystem. Along the west side of this property are large Western red cedars situated adjacent to a small pond which drains into Shawnigan Lake.

The property will be protected in perpetuity and a Conservation Covenant registered held by the Cowichan Community Land Trust and Habitat Acquisition Trust Fund.

Raymond M. Goodall Ecological Land Reserve

Raymond M. Goodall Ecological Land Reserve

This south Salt Spring Island waterfront property supports some Garry Oak Ecosystems, rated as one of the most endangered vegetation communities in Canada. The property was donated in 2006 to TLC under the Ecological Gifts Program of Environment Canada, and is maintained as an ecological reserve with no public access.

The property contains Coastal Douglas-fir forest, which is a priortiy for protection in BC. In areas where the topography is relatively flat and low, relative to the bedrock outcrops, western red cedar is the main tree species. Along drier rock outcrop areas, Garry Oak plant communities are found. Groundcover associated with this community consists of many wildflowers including common camas, white fawn lily, shooting stars, and onion species as well as diverse grass and moss species. Wildlife trees are also located on the property, which provide a valuable habitat for local flora and fauna such as ravens, bald eagles, and woodpeckers.

There are a few invasive species on the property that are a threat to the ecosystem including Scotch Broom, Gorse and Himalayan blackberry. TLC plans to develop a weed maangement plan as resources become available to enhance the Garry Oak Ecosystem values of the property.

Kindwood Kindwood

This ecologically sensitive property is dominated by relatively undisturbed mature second-growth forest in the Coastal Douglas Fir biogeoclimatic zone, an area of high biodiversity that is at risk due to its limited range in BC and development and urban expansion. The property has seven identified sensitive ecosystems identified under the Conservation Data Centre’s Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory, including Garry Oak Ecosystems. Currently, TLC owns a partial interest in this property donated by the other partial owner of the property. TLC plans to work with the owner to ensure the long term protection of the entire property. It is adjacent to regional parkland, providing a continguous protected area for wildlife.