Xwésam
(Salmon) River

Floodplain Forest, West Coast

We did it! Thank you for helping us protect more than 100 acres of floodplain forest along the Xwésam (Salmon) River.

Together with our supporters, NTBC has raised $294,000 to protect 105.6 acres (42.7 hectares) of floodplain forest along the Xwésam (Salmon) River. Conserving this new parcel of land has expanded our existing Xwésam (Salmon) River Estuary conservation complex, growing it to 1,037.8 acres (420 hectares).

Why protecting this land matters:

The river and estuary provide vital habitat for some of the province’s most iconic species, including the majestic great blue heron, the northern pygmy owl and the Roosevelt elk – the largest subspecies of North American elk.
All five Pacific salmon species, along with steelhead and blue-listed cutthroat trout pass through the estuary and depend on the river.
The floodplain forest has towering Sitka spruce, grand fir, western redcedar and Douglas-fir up to 120 years old.

American badgers among grass and wildflowers

50+ Years Of Conservation Along The Xwésam River

For more than 50 years, NTBC has been working to purchase, protect and restore land along Xwésam (Salmon) River. Conserving this new parcel of land would expand NTBC’s existing Xwésam (Salmon) River Estuary conservation complex, growing it to 1,037.8 acres (420 hectares). The river and estuary provide vital habitat for some of the province’s most iconic species, including the majestic great blue heron, the northern pygmy owl and the Roosevelt elk – the largest subspecies of North American elk.

Expanding this conservation complex increases the connectivity and resilience of sensitive estuarine and riparian ecosystems within the river and its estuary. All five Pacific salmon species, along with steelhead and blue-listed cutthroat trout pass through the estuary and depend on the river. Recently, grizzly bears have also returned to the river to feast on the abundant vegetation in the estuary.

Rolling grassland hills and scattered conifers in the White Lake Basin

Vital Habitat For Iconic And At-Risk Species In BC

Native vegetation across a protected landscape

The riparian forest can provide shelter and food for the threatened western screech owl. This small owl with distinct “ear” tufts and yellow eyes relies on these forests to provide important food sources to help raise their young. The western screech owl population on Vancouver Island has been declining over the past couple of decades mostly due to habitat loss.

The time for nature is now—with immediate action, this vital habitat can be protected forever. Every dollar donated will directly contribute to safeguarding this land for future generations and help ensure the long-term health of the Xwésam (Salmon) River ecosystem.

Thank you for protecting vital salmon habitat.

Together, we’ve protected over 100 acres of important floodplain forest along the Xwésam (Salmon) River. Donate to support ongoing stewardship of this land.

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We gratefully acknowledge that our Vancouver office is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, who have been stewarding this land since time immemorial. Our work and conservation areas encompass many lands throughout the province, and we humbly acknowledge the First Nations communities who live on and steward these lands.

Xwésam
(Salmon) River

We did it! Thank you for helping us protect more than 100 acres of floodplain forest along the Xwésam (Salmon) River.

50+ Years Of Conservation Along The Xwésam River

Vital Habitat For Iconic And At-Risk Species In BC

Thank you for protecting vital salmon habitat.

Sign up to our receive our monthly Field Notes

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