Wedoany.com Report on Feb 27th, The Nanaimo Regional District (RDN) has announced the acquisition of additional funding to purchase 360 hectares of Hamilton wetland land on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The RDN is collaborating with the British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Management, the federal government, the Nature Trust of British Columbia (NTBC), and the Sitka Foundation to advance this wetland conservation project.
In January 2026, Mosaic Forest Management agreed to modify the purchase terms to $28 million to assist the RDN in its wetland conservation efforts. To raise the funds, the RDN Board approved a $21.2 million long-term loan and allocated over $4 million from its capital reserve fund. Concurrently, organizations such as the Nanaimo and Area Land Trust (NALT) raised nearly $550,000 to contribute to the wetland conservation.
The Government of British Columbia, in partnership with Environment and Climate Change Canada and Parks Canada, has committed $1.25 million in funding; NTBC has pledged $841,832 through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA); and the Sitka Foundation has pledged $100,000 through NTBC, collectively supporting the wetland conservation action.
Stuart McLean, Chair of the Nanaimo Regional District, expressed gratitude to funding partners, community organizations, and residents, stating that collective support has made the conservation of Hamilton Swamp possible, serving as an outstanding example of multi-party collaboration. Dr. Jasper Lament, CEO of the Nature Trust of British Columbia, noted that Hamilton Swamp is one of the largest remaining freshwater wetlands on Vancouver Island, a crucial stopover on the Pacific Flyway, supporting numerous migratory birds and diverse species, and they are proud to contribute to its conservation.
The acquisition is expected to be completed by March 31, 2026, at which point Hamilton Swamp will become the RDN's thirteenth regional park and protected area, further advancing local wetland conservation efforts.
