BC Parks Foundation raising money to protect at-risk grasslands in Kamloops

The BC Parks Foundation is launching a fundraising campaign to help conserve over 500 acres of at risk grassland in the Juniper Ridge area.

When the land was put up for sale, members of the Kamloops community contacted the foundation to help protect its natural and recreational values, a news release said.

The foundation agreed and raised most of the funding required.

On Wednesday, the foundation announced that it has $2 million more to raise.

“We do have a donor who will match up to one million of that if people in the community can do the rest,” said Andy Day, CEO of the foundation.

“If everyone puts in whatever they can, it will all add up and we’ll get there. It is always a lot of fun and a great legacy for everyone who gets involved.”

The foundation said protecting the 517 acres is important because grasslands, like the ones in Juniper ridge, cover less than 1% of BC and are now considered to be at risk.

The sensitive grasslands are also home to more than 30% of the province’s threatened species like bighorn sheep, badgers and butterflies.

They also contribute to the production of clean air and water.

“It really is a treasure,” said Nancy Flood, president of the Kamloops Naturalist Club. “There’s so much nature here.”

Tom Dickinson, a Kamloops resident and Chair of the Grasslands Conservation Council of British Columbia, shared similar sentiments.

“Over thirty species of birds have been sighted in this area as well as some trees that go back 250 years,” he said.

“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.”

Anyone interested in participating in the crowdfunding effort can visit this link.