Together, We've Protected
​the Larmour Lands

A dedicated group of islanders and their many supporters and donors are celebrating a successful community fundraising effort.
Both Lot H and Lot F of the Larmour Lands are protected from logging and other development pressures.

In the fall of 2020, a community fundraising effort enabled the purchase of Lot H, 20 acres of vital forests and wetlands that will be preserved in perpetuity as a nature reserve.

In late August 2021, Lot F’s 20 acres were also purchased, with another successful fundraising drive. The biodiverse mature forest and ponds on the upland portion, and a number of large old trees throughout the property are now legally protected.
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The lower forest and wetland areas in the Agricultural Land Reserve—and therefore not eligible for covenant protection—are being protected by Profit à Prendre instead for strict ecological conservation. Restoration has begun on the remaining valley-bottom acreage of Lot F. 

Congratulations! With Lots F and H protected, and with several adjacent lots that have conservation covenants, you’ve created 46 acres (about 18.5 hectares) of unbroken natural habitat. You’ve protected drinking water in the Cusheon Lake watershed and conserved biodiversity and species at risk. And you've preserved more standing forest to help mitigate the local impacts of climate change.

BY PROTECTING LOT F, WE HAVE...

• vital wetlands and forests filter and purify water as it percolates through natural soils
• natural filtration benefits groundwater in wells, critical sources of potable water for local residents
• ​mature coastal Douglas fir and groves of Western red cedar provide habitat for several species at risk 

• species at risk include the Western screech owl, pygmy owl, night hawk, and the blue-grey taildropper slug
• red-legged frogs, newts, salamanders, and the Mexican freetail bat, known as the fastest creature in level flight
• species at risk, such as the threaded vertigo and Pacific sideband snails
  

• when the neighbouring 45 acres were cut in 2018-20, 15,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide were emitted 
• it will take 60 years for any newly planted forest to be a net sequester of carbon

• continue Mike Larmour’s lifetime of preserving and protecting water resources and the healthy watersheds that make them possible
• WPS was founded by Mike Larmour and 4 others

• connectivity is key for biodiversity; once clearcut or developed, it’s nearly impossible to regain key ecological values
• when several protected areas form a larger conservation area, the health and function of an ecosystem is enhanced
• several adjacent lots have conservation covenants; with Lots H and then F protected, 46 acres (about 18.5 hectares) of unbroken natural habitat will be created​

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Lots F and H between Sky Valley Rd. and Beddis Rd.