Canadians Beat Timber Company to Wild Forest with 3 Million Bucks

Timber companies wanted to buy 2,000 acres of a forest full of animals in Canada’s wild. Then the British Columbia Parks Foundation asked for help, and more than 3 million Canadian dollars poured in.

The land in Canada’s Princess Louisa Inlet was set up for sale earlier this year by its private owner, catching the attention of forestry companies interested in logging timber. But the foundation asked for help, and tourists, businesses, charities and schools – as well as people outside from Canada in countries including Germany and Japan – were happy to participate in preserving the park’s natural environment. 

“We hope that this gift will help you purchase the land and keep it wild forever,” fifth-grade students said in a letter accompanying a $1,109 check they sent to the foundation in June. “One day, we might all have the chance to visit this beautiful piece of wilderness, knowing that we played a role in saving it for future generations.”

Aside from being home to bears, goats and eagles, the land defines the culture of the Shishalh, an indigenous community also known as the Sechelt First Nation. Andrew Day, chief executive of the foundation, said they plan to meet with the Shishalh to discuss how the land will be used now that it’s been saved thanks to people’s generous contributions.

“This level of donation has never happened before with a land acquisition for parks,” says Dr. Day. “These forests are our cathedrals.”