Kw’a’luxw (Englishman) River – Shelly Road

The Nature Trust of British Columbia has now protected 13 acres (5.2 hectares) of precious wildlife habitat along the Kw’a’luxw (Englishman) River at 130 Shelly Road. Thank you to our donors for helping us reach our $350,000 goal to ensure that this culturally and ecologically important river corridor remains protected for generations to come. 

For over 40 years, The Nature Trust of BC has diligently worked with our partners to protect the Kw’a’luxw (Englishman) River and watershed. We have made significant strides in recent years with the protection of two conservation areas – the Emil Anderson Legacy Forest and Wilson Nature Park. However, there is still more work to be done, and we need your help to protect Shelly Road forever. 

The Kw’a’luxw (Englishman) River provides habitat for all five species of salmon – chinook, chum, coho, pink, and sockeye. It also contains three species of trout – rainbow, cutthroat, and steelhead. Salmon are an iconic and ecologically vital species, with their life cycle providing many benefits for people, wildlife, and the environment. As salmon spawn and eventually die, their nutrients are then dispersed throughout the ecosystem and support the surrounding forests helping to stabilize riverbanks, promote healthy riparian areas and provide food for many different species. 

The area also contains important floodplain, riparian, and forested ecosystems and is an internationally significant habitat for migratory and breeding birds, including over 250 species, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals such as black bear, cougar, deer, river otter, and Roosevelt Elk. 

This acquisition expanded The Nature Trust of BC’s existing conservation area along the Kw’a’luxw (Englishman) River, increasing connectivity for wildlife and strengthening a lifeline for land, wildlife, and people. 

For several years, Snaw-Naw-As First Nation and The Nature Trust of BC have collaborated closely on stewardship, restoration and monitoring work in the lower river and estuary. This has included implementing the large-scale restoration project on the Wilson Nature Park, in-stream fish habitat improvements and the long-term monitoring of the resilience of the estuary.  

Once acquired, The Nature Trust of BC, will continue to work closely with the Snaw-Naw-As (Nanoose) First Nation for the management and long-term stewardship of the conservation area as part of an existing Stewardship and Management Agreement for conservation lands within their traditional territory. 

In addition to the acquisition of 130 Shelly Road, The Nature Trust of BC and the City of Parksville have also committed to working in collaboration with Snaw-Naw-As First Nation to create a community pathway. Not only will this pathway improve trail connectivity in the area and support community sustainability goals but it will also include improved interpretive signs on the cultural and ecological significance of the area. The City of Parksville will assume all costs for the design, development, and maintenance of the pathway while The Nature Trust of BC will focus on conservation and land management. 

The purchase of this vital habitat adds to The Nature Trust of BC’s legacy and unwavering commitment to protecting B.C.’s most vulnerable ecosystems for the benefit of wildlife, the planet, and people.  

You can support us steward Shelly Road and the Kw’a’luxw (Englishman) River by donating to our campaign today.