Victoria, BC– The Capital Regional District (CRD) Board has agreed to purchase, in partnership with the Habitat Acquisition Trust (HAT), a 20 hectare property known as the Mountain Road Forest in Saanich for regional park purposes. The CRD will contribute $2 million towards this acquisition through the Regional Parks Land Acquisition Fund, contingent on the remainder of the purchase price being funded through community fundraising coordinated by HAT and a donation by the landowner.
“The CRD recognizes the high conservation values of the property on Mountain Road,” said Colin Plant, CRD Board Chair. “This purchase is an example of working together to ensure the natural areas we enjoy today continue to benefit future generations.”
HAT has committed to raising $1.4M by Earth Day 2021 to complete the purchase of this property and protect it permanently. "As Victoria's local land trust, HAT is well positioned to deliver on this public government partnership and has full confidence that the overwhelming public affection and support for this property will translate into the charitable dollars urgently needed to complete the permanent protection of this unique urban forest in Saanich," said Katie Blake, Executive Director of HAT.
The Mountain Road property is a magnificent example of mature second growth Coastal Douglas-fir forests, along with Garry oak meadow, rock outcrop, and arbutus stands, all of which are some of Canada's most rare and imperiled ecosystems. The property contains pockets of old growth trees, and as old growth forests disappear, preserving these mature second growth forests will be key to renewing old forests over time. A spring-fed stream that transects the property is part of the headwaters of the Colquitz River system. Species at risk such as Western Screech-Owl and Common Nighthawk are known to have bred on the property.
The CRD, with the support of our partners, has acquired over 4,800 hectares of land through the Land Acquisition Fund since it was established in 2000.
Proud to be recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers and Canada’s Greenest Employers, the CRD delivers regional, sub-regional and local services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors, the CRD works collaboratively with First Nations and all levels of government to enable sustainable growth, foster community well-being, and develop cost-effective infrastructure while continuing to provide core services to residents throughout the region. Visit us online at www.crd.bc.ca.
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For CRD media inquiries, please contact:
Christiana Jones, Communications Coordinator
CRD Regional Parks
Tel: 250.360.3332
Cell: 250.889.8030
For HAT-related media inquiries, please contact:
Katie Blake, Executive Director
Habitat Acquisition Trust
Tel: 250.995.2428
Cell: 250.217.2718
Photo credit: Habitat Acquisition Trust