A ceremony was held on Saturina Island on Tuesday, June 29 in which the Wilson 5 Foundation pledged $4 million for area land preservation. (submitted/BCPF)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

significant donation

Millions committed to preserve local Gulf Islands

Jun 29, 2021 | 4:40 PM

NANAIMO — The largest private donation ever to the BC Parks Foundation hopes to preserve a pair of Gulf Islands off central Vancouver Island.

The BC Parks Foundation (BCPF) announced $4 million from the Wilson 5 Foundation will be used to buy Saturina Island off Gabriola Island’s east side and be a key source for the upcoming purchase of 256 acres of waterfront land on Lasqueti Island.

“We stand today with thousands of British Columbians and people from across Canada and around world who have answered the call to help BC Parks Foundation purchase and forever protect sacred, threatened ecosystems such as these islands in the Salish Sea,” Wilson 5 Foundation co-founder Shannon Wilson said in a news release.

The donation is destined for 365 acres of the threatened coastal Douglas Fir ecosystem involving largely untouched land home to beaches, bird and marine life and rare plants, according to the BCPF.

Aerial view of Saturina Island off Gabriola Island’s eastern shore south of the Silva Bay Resort and Marina (submitted/BCPF)

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Chip Wilson, founder of Lululemon, said its important to look far into the future and take action now.

“We feel strongly that this gift to the BC Parks Foundation and the people of B.C. will ensure an everlasting opportunity for the next generation and generations to come to enjoy the beauty of these places,’ he said.

It was also revealed the Wilson 5 Foundation provided the matching donation used by the BCPF to help buy and preserve West Ballenas Island off Nanoose Bay.

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