A race against time is underway in British Columbia as the BC Parks Foundation works to secure one of the final privately-owned parcels of land within the beloved Myra Bellevue Provincial Park. The organization has until April 14 to raise enough funds to complete the purchase and protect the area from potential commercial development.
The 32-hectare property sits within a nearly 8,000-hectare park famous for its historic railway trestles, stunning panoramic views, and popularity among hikers and cyclists. According to Andy Day, CEO of the BC Parks Foundation, many visitors mistakenly believe the entire park is publicly owned. “Some of them are a little bit like Swiss cheese,” Day explained, referring to the private parcels scattered within park boundaries.
Environmental experts emphasize the ecological significance of this particular piece of land. Scott Boswell, executive director of the Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Program, noted that the area contains a rare ecosystem found only in this region of Canada. The land serves as a vital wildlife corridor connecting Okanagan Mountain and Kalamalka provincial parks, allowing species to move freely between these protected territories.
The total cost of acquiring the property is $1.6 million, but thanks to a matching commitment from the Wilson 5 Foundation, the public fundraising goal has been cut in half. Earlier this year, conservationists successfully acquired a 64-hectare parcel in the same area. If this current campaign succeeds, only one privately-owned piece of land will remain within park boundaries. Those interested in supporting this conservation effort can visit the BC Parks Foundation website to make a donation before the deadline.
