Group raises a quarter of its $1M goal to protect Juniper Ridge grasslands

A BC Parks Foundation fundraising campaign has raised a little over a quarter of its goal to protect a sensitive grasslands area in the Juniper Ridge area.

Last month, the Foundation announced it would be fundraising to conserve over 500 acres of at-risk grasslands, which are part of the less than 1% that cover BC but are home to more than 30% of threatened species.

On Monday, the Foundation said it had raised just over $255,000 of its $1 million goal.

Additionally, an anonymous Kamloops resident is donating $50,000 to support the initiative and get the fundraising goal over the finish line.

In a news release, the Foundation said the woman is donating to the cause to protect an area she has “valued deeply” since moving to the area over 50 years ago.

“I feel any way we can protect the grasslands is going to be an absolute winner for everybody,” said the anonymous donor. “Nature is what we need to be protecting because it does nothing but give back to us.”

Another donor, Sharman Learie moved to Kamloops 30 years ago and was immediately drawn to the grasslands that surround the city, the news release said.

“One of the things I love in those grassland zones is when the wind blows and how the landscape becomes really dynamic and comes to life,” said Learie. “It is like a symphony or the sound of waves.”

He has donated $5,000 to the initiative and, along with the anonymous donor, is encouraging others to help the fundraiser meet the goal.

Anyone who is interested in supporting the fundraiser can learn more by visiting this link.