The Nature Trust of BC eNews
August 2023 Edition
Help Us Manage Our Wildfire Response

British Columbia is experiencing a particularly severe wildfire season with devastating impacts on people, infrastructure, landscapes, and wildlife too.

This year's wildfires presents an ever-changing situation, which means our staff on the ground are tasked with constantly managing the impacts of these fires on our Nature Trust conservation areas —  from the Kootenay and Northern BC, to the Okanagan, South Coast and Vancouver Island.

Wildfire season is costly. It brings many additional and unanticipated expenses, including increased labour costs, signage replacement, fence replacement to protect highly sensitive habitats, equipment replacement, and post-fire invasive species management and native plant re-seeding.

Donate today to our Wildfire Recovery Fund to help us manage our wildfire response and continue to protect vulnerable habitats on our conservation areas.
5 Endemic Species and Their Ecological Importance

Did you know that British Columbia has 76 endemic species and subspecies that are only found in the province and nowhere else in the world?

Endemic species play a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of the province's ecosystems, showcasing the importance of preserving and protecting their habitats. Explore more about five of these remarkable species and learn why they are vital to BC's ecological well-being.
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Carmen Purdy

A conservationist visionary, the late Carmen Purdy will always be remembered for his passion and dedication to BC's wildlife and habitat.

To celebrate his life, Carmen Purdy's friend and family, along with The Nature Trust of BC's Board of Directors and staff, gathered in the rain on June 14th to unveil a memorial plaque at the Hoodoos Westside Conservation Area in his memory.

Read more about the memorial plaque unveiling, and Carmen Purdy's life and legacy:
Donor Spotlight — The Wyse Family

The Wyse family have been Nature Trust of BC ambassadors for many years, with a partnership through their family winery, Burrowing Owl Estate Winery, and Jim Wyse's active contributions as a Nature Trust Board Director from 2015-2023. Learn more about Jim and Midge Wyse and why they support The Nature Trust:

What motivates you to support The Nature Trust of BC?
In my view, the biggest current threat to our existence is climate change, and the best way to counter the growing deterioration of our natural surroundings is to support nature and the ability of our planet to heal itself with natural forces.

What does nature and land conservation mean to you and your family?
British Columbia is very large and thankfully many of the remote areas are still in pristine condition, but they won't stay that way for long without support. Finally I believe there is growing awareness of the fragility of our natural surroundings that we have taken for granted for centuries, and that focused conservation activities are needed now to preserve the natural areas that we still have.

What do you think is special about the Okanagan region?
The Okanagan Valley is an exceptional, natural north-south continental wildlife corridor for a plethora of unique migrating species like no other place in Canada, from pelicans, to bats, to hummingbirds and beyond. It is critical that we provide a natural environment for all the migrating species to move through or we will lose them.
How Did You Celebrate BC Day?

All of us at The Nature Trust of British Columbia hope you enjoyed your BC day and were able to spend some time outdoors in the stunning province we call home.

How did you spend your BC day? Connect with us on social media and tag us in your BC day adventures for a chance to be featured! Find our channels by clicking the button:
Vulnerable Species at Nighthawk Hill Grasslands are Counting on You!

Every day, we're getting closer to our goal to protect & manage 11 hectares of crucial native grasslands in the South Okanagan.

Within one km of the area, 17 species have been identified as at-risk or endangered. Among these are the Lewis' Woodpecker, American Badger, Pallid Bat, and more. These species are counting on you to protect their habitat!

Thanks to our community of supporters and donors, we only have $125,000 left to raise until we reach our goal!