In early 2025, the Nature Trust of British Columbia completed the fee simple acquisition of the Xwésam (Salmon) River Estuary – Floodplain Forest, permanently protecting 42.7 hectares of private land along the estuary. This purchase expanded the surrounding conservation complex to 420 hectares, creating a larger, more connected block of protected habitat for salmon and the many species that depend on this ecosystem.
The Campbell River Salmon Foundation contributed $50,000 toward this project, and every dollar went directly toward getting the land ready for long-term conservation:
What Was Accomplished
With this funding and NTBC’s stewardship, the project achieved:
- Completion of the fee simple purchase of 42.7 hectares of private land
- Expansion of the overall conservation complex to 420 hectares
- Completion of initial restoration work to clear old infrastructure from the site
- Completion of the legal boundary survey
What’s Next
Protecting the land is just the beginning. NTBC has identified several ongoing priorities to build on this work:
- Continuing collaboration with First Nations and local groups of interest, including Sayward Fish and Game
- Establishing boundary designation and monitoring to watch for encroachment and manage public access
- Exploring additional opportunities to expand conservation lands and protected areas nearby
- Setting up habitat and ecosystem monitoring, including managing invasive species
Future work at the site will be guided by NTBC’s Management Direction Statement, which will steer continued restoration, invasive species removal, and the collection of baseline species information. Establishing this baseline will help shape both short-term and long-term management goals for the property.
Why It Matters for Salmon
Estuaries like this one are where rivers meet the sea — critical, biodiverse habitat that young salmon rely on as they transition from freshwater to the ocean. By permanently protecting the Xwésam River Estuary floodplain forest, this project increases the connectivity and resilience of sensitive estuarine and riparian ecosystems, helping safeguard salmon habitat for generations to come.
Learn more about The Nature Trust of British Columbia’s conservation work at ntbc.com.
Project completed by The Nature Trust of British Columbia in partnership with McElhanney and Sledge N’ Shovel Demolition and Excavating, with funding support from the Campbell River Salmon Foundation.