An ecologically important area south of Juniper Ridge may soon be protected parkland, if a crowdfunding bid by the BC Parks Foundation is successful.
The five parcels of land, a combined 517 acres (209 hectares), were listed for sale about one year ago, and aside from the northernmost portion of Scott Road, there is little else on the properties, which lie inside the Agricultural Land Reserve.
All that meant the land was an “incredible opportunity” for the BC Parks Foundation, according to Jennie McCaffrey, foundation vice-president for health and education.
“This property in particular is so important because it’s one of the rarest ecosystems in B.C. Less than one percent of land in the province is covered in these special grasslands,” McCaffrey said.
McCaffrey said even among that one percent, very few grassland areas are protected and all of them are at risk, as they host 30 percent of the province’s threatened species.
The area is also home to ancient tress, including Douglas Fir, Ponderosa Pine and Rocky Mountain Juniper, some of which have stood for more than 250 years.
The foundation has already secured a purchase agreement with a price point of $5.6 million, just shy of the asking price of $5.8 million.
McCaffrey said the foundation has already raised $3.6 million toward the purchase price, and an anonymous donor has pledged to match additional donations for the remaining $1 million left to be raised.
As of Chronicle press time, the crowdfunding campaign has reached about 10 percent of its goal, with an ambitious deadline of March 14 to collect the remaining funds.
McCaffrey said the opportunity to donate is one to create a long-lasting legacy.
“It will be protected forever if we’re successful,” she said.
“The really fascinating piece is that we see people who are donating $5, $500 or $5,000. The number doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’re contributing to a personal legacy, maybe a legacy for your business.”
McCaffrey said once purchased, the foundation would begin working with the City of Kamloops, local First Nations and community groups on a plan to keep the land protected.
Kamloops Naturalist Club president Nancy Flood called the land a “treasure.”
“This is a beautiful area and a part of British Columbia’s natural heritage that is becoming increasingly rare. We want to keep it for everyone to enjoy,” Flood said.
The BC Parks Foundation was formed in 2017 and began operations in 2018, jumping on an opportunity to protect part of the Princess Louisa Inlet on the Sunshine Coast. More local projects include a 288-acre lakeside property along Westside Road in Kelowna that was recently purchased by the organization.
The crowdfunding campaign deadline is March 14 and McCaffrey is confident that deadline can be met.
“You know, we’re not going to consider Plan B at this point. I think we’re going to be successful because I know the community is going to step up and make this a reality,” she said.
To donate, visit the BC Parks Foundation website at bcparksfoundation.ca.