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Vernon Wetland Preserved for Conservation 
VERNON — The first purchase under the B.C. Trust for Public Lands will preserve 50 hectares of land on the south shore of Swan Lake, announced Okanagan-Vernon MLA Tom Christensen on behalf of Sustainable Resource Management Minister George Abbott today.
“The Anderson Property is one of the last remaining undeveloped wetlands in Greater Vernon,” said Christensen. “Working together, we have succeeded in conserving this important habitat for residents and wildlife alike.”
Swan Lake is recognized as one of the most important habitats for staging and breeding waterfowl in the Southern Interior. It provides a critical resting and feeding stop for migratory birds traveling along the Pacific Flyway, the main provincial migration corridor. During the height of migration, over 6,000 birds may use the lake on a single day.
“The Greater Vernon Services Commission will contribute more than $800,000 to preserve this property,” added Greater Vernon Services Commission vice-chair and Vernon Mayor Sean Harvey. “Aggressive expansion of parkland and preserving the natural environment is part of our 20-year Parks and Recreation Master Plan.”
The Anderson Property contains 16 parcels of land for a total purchase price of $1.55 million, including $375,900 from the B.C. Trust for Public Lands. The purchase of the Anderson Property is a partnership of:
- Greater Vernon Services Commission
- B.C. Trust for Public Lands
- Environment Canada – Canadian Wildlife Service
- Ducks Unlimited Canada
- North Okanagan Naturalists
- Bishop Wild Bird Foundation
“The B.C. Trust for Public Lands provides conservation managers with a stable pool of funds that they can leverage to protect habitat province-wide,” said Ian Barnett of Ducks Unlimited Canada on behalf of the B.C. Conservation Lands Forum. “ Swan Lake has been a conservation priority for Ducks Unlimited Canada since we first came to the province 37 years ago.”
The Province announced the formation of the B.C. Trust for Public Lands on Oct. 6, 2004, through a one-time contribution of $8 million. Expenditure of trust funds requires matching dollars from the conservation sector. Expenditures support improved conservation planning, and more efficient acquisition and management of private lands having unique ecological values.
“We fulfilled a New Era commitment when we created the B.C. Trust for Public Lands,” said Abbott. “This first purchase puts our commitment into action by conserving ecologically important lands for the benefit of people in the communities where they live.”
Abbott also announced Scotia Private Client Group, a division of Scotiabank, has been appointed trustee for the B.C. Trust for Public Lands following a competitive request for proposals. The trustee will be advised by an expert group of conservationists through the B.C. Conservation Lands Forum.
For more information:
Deanna Bogart, d_bogart@ducks.ca
Marketing and Communications
Ducks Unlimited Canada
(604) 592-5004
