Successful $2.4 million fundraising campaign protects beloved forest and its biodiversity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2025
Comox Valley, B.C.
The Comox Valley Land Trust (CVLT) has succeeded in protecting the final 37 hectares of the Puntledge Forest. It encompasses mature trees, wetlands, and trails along both sides of the Puntledge River downstream of Comox Lake. The 100-hectare (247 acre) forest was at risk from logging before the CVLT began acquiring the timber reservation in 2023. The third and final phase of the acquisition is now complete, ensuring this beloved place is protected forever.
“It shows what can be achieved with community support” says David Stapley, a CVLT board member who helped lead the fundraising effort. “Our target was to raise 80% of the cost through grants, with the hope the community would contribute the rest. The response was amazing!”
Almost $500,000 was raised from 635 donors since last summer. During this same period, $1.5 million was granted from four agencies and foundations. BC Hydro’s Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program subsequently provided $400,000 to take the project over the finish line. The Government of Canada’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program – Land Trusts Conservation Fund provided $350,000, and the Sitka Foundation and an anonymous foundation each provided $200,000. The biggest single donor was BC Parks Foundation, which provided $700,000 in conjunction with the Wilson 5 Foundation.
“The Puntledge Forest is a remarkable place, rich with biodiversity and deeply valued by the community,” says Andy Day, CEO of BC Parks Foundation. “We’re proud to support this community-led campaign with our partners, and are very grateful to the passionate individuals, donors, and partners who made it possible to ensure this special forest remains intact forever.”
The outpouring of community support included several “forest angels” who pledged to double-match donations between October and the end of the year. Their remarkable generosity inspired hundreds of people to chip in for a truly crowd-sourced outcome.
The Puntledge Forest surrounds the Puntledge River downstream of Comox Lake. It is at the heart of the K’ómoks First Nation’s traditional territory. Nicole Rempel, Elected Chief Councillor for the K’ómoks First Nation, says “the Nation has supported this project from the beginning. Protecting the forest will positively contribute to protecting the valuable fish habitat in the Puntledge River. Protecting these pockets of high value ecosystems will help mitigate climate change and work towards reducing rising river temperatures.”
The CVLT bought the timber rights from Manulife Investment Management through three separate purchase agreements beginning in 2023. The trees on the property, which is owned by BC Hydro, are now protected under a covenant that ensures they will never be logged. This means the area’s rich biodiversity can continue to mature into old growth forest for future generations. Recreational users can continue to use their favourite trails, and paddlers can continue to enjoy the river.
For media inquiries, contact:
Tim Ennis, Executive Director
Comox Valley Land Trust
[email protected]
1-250-650-9561
Media Resources: CVLT Puntledge Forest photos and maps
More information about the Puntledge Forest Campaign
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About the Land Trust Conservation Fund
The Land Trust Conservation Fund is made possible by the Government of Canada through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program, part of Canada’s Nature Fund.
The Natural Heritage Conservation Program is a unique partnership that supports the creation and recognition of protected and conserved areas through the acquisition of private land and private interest in land. To date, the Government of Canada has invested more than $500 million in the Program, which has been matched with more than $1 billion in contributions raised by Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the country’s land trust community leading to the protection and conservation of more than 840,000 hectares of ecologically sensitive lands.