Cortes Island – Manson Bay Forest

Help us protect Cortes Island – Manson Bay Forest!

We need your help to raise the final $408,000 to protect 35.7 acres (14.4 hectares) of sensitive forested wildlife habitat on Cortes Island, a jewel in the Discovery Islands. Why is Cortes Island so important?

• The land contains mature Douglas-fir, Western Hemlock, and Western Redcedar forest with scattered veteran trees that are at least 200 years old,
• The island is home to many wildlife species, including wolves, cougars, deer, mink and over a dozen at-risk bird species,
• Cortes Island – Manson Bay Forest provides key habitat for many at-risk species, such as the SARA Threatened Barn Swallow as well as the Band-tailed Pigeon, Common Nighthawk, Evening Grosbeak, Purple Martin, Olive-sided Flycatcher, and Northern Red-legged Frog, all of which are of SARA Special Concern. 

Keep reading to learn more about Cortes Island – Manson Bay Forest and what makes this land so special and critical to protect. Donate here to help us conserve this incredible natural area!

Cortes Island is located within the unceded and traditional territories of the We Wai Kai, Kwiakah, Homalco, and Klahoose First Nations. Manson Bay Forest is surrounded by natural forested ecosystems and by raising the funds to protect this land, the charity is preserving the connectivity and resiliency of these ecosystems for the incredible biodiversity found on Cortes Island. 

The area is part of the Coastal Western Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone, characterized by its temperate climate and abundant rainfall, which creates an ideal environment for mature Douglas-fir and Western Redcedar. The varied terrain, with dry rocky knolls and mature coniferous forests provides habitat for many birds, mammals, and amphibians. 

Manson Bay Forest is surrounded by natural forested ecosystems and by raising the funds to protect this land, the charity is preserving the connectivity and resiliency of these ecosystems for the incredible biodiversity found on Cortes Island. Cortes Island – Manson Bay Forest has merchantable timber value and once protected, the old and mature forests will be protected in perpetuity.

The purchase of Manson Bay Forest on Cortes Island is the latest project from The Nature Trust of BC and is part of our mission to protect and conserve the most ecologically vulnerable ecosystems in British Columbia. Through the support of donors and nature-lovers across the province, The Nature Trust of BC can safeguard important habitat and powerful carbon sinks, directly addressing the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.  

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