The Nature Trust of British Columbia is working to raise more than $500,000 to protect nearly 15 hectares of old coastal forest land near Lake Errock before it can be sold or developed.
In a recent release, the conservation non-profit announced a $515,900 goal by March 31 to buy "Lake Errock's ecologically significant land" near Harrison Mills.
Nature Trust CEO Dr. Jasper Lament called Lake Errock "a biodiversity powerhouse."
"Saving its forests and carbon-absorbing wetlands will build resiliency in the lower Fraser River watershed," Lament said in a recent statement. "At-risk and endangered species like the great blue heron, the western painted turtle and the barn swallow depend on this ecologically significant land for their survival, but its timber values and proximity to Vancouver makes this critical habitat vulnerable to harvesting and development. We’re counting on support from across the Lower Mainland to help us buy and protect old coastal forest along Lake Errock, forever. We must take action now."
The Nature Trust states that what makes the forests around Lake Errock so environmentally important is the diversity of trees and its wetlands that are unique even among the Pacific Northwest. The mix of Douglas firs, western hemlock, western red cedar and the wetlands makes for "critical habitat for a diversity of wildlife species."
"Not much of this type of old forest is left in the Lower Mainland, making this a rare and unique opportunity," The Nature Trust stated.
Protecting land like this could give the northern spotted owl a chance for recovery; there is currently only one female of the species left in the wild.
"This project is so important for the efforts to recover iconic old growth dependent species and ensure a home for Spotted Owls to thrive in the future," Nature Trust said.
Last summer, the federal government identified 400,000 hectares of potential habitat for the northern spotted owl near Hope, including within the Spuzzum (Spô'zêm) First Nation. The spotted owl holds cultural significant to First Nations communities in the area, seen as a messenger
Lake Errock is in the traditional territory of the Sq'éwlets First Nation.