The North & Central Interior

Remote wilderness on a grand scale

This remote, sparsely populated, and almost incomprehensibly vast region covers nearly two-thirds of the province.  

Our work in the North and Central Interior is dedicated to protecting biodiversity at the landscape level. We prioritize corridors connecting the habitats of rare and endangered species. We’ve protected 49 conservation areas here, encompassing 12,180 acres.

Rainforests

Dense rainforests and steep granite peaks

Where the Skeena River empties into the Pacific, dense rainforests border long fjords surrounded by steep granite peaks. Inland are rugged coastal mountains capped by large icefields and glaciers, dotted with hundreds of sparkling clear lakes and rivers teeming with salmon.  

Wilderness

A vast and varied wilderness

The forests here are filled with subalpine fir, Engelmann spruce, sub-boreal spruce, mountain and western hemlock, and western redcedar. Grizzly bears, mountain goats, beavers, wolverines, Arctic ground squirrels, osprey, kingfishers, and loons thrive in this varied wilderness.

Serengeti

The Serengeti of the North

To the northeast, the northern Rocky Mountains give way to the Peace River Basin and Canada’s boreal forest. With its abundant wildlife supporting apex predators like wolves and bears, this area has been called the Serengeti of the North. 

Explore the The North & Central Interior Region

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Visit Cold Fish Lake

We protect 203 acres around Cold Fish Lake, which we’ve leased to the province as part of a provincial park. It sits inside Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness Park, in the Skeena Mountains and one of Canada’s largest parks. If you enjoy solitude, backcountry hiking in rugged wilderness, and exceptional views, the Spatsizi Plateau is worth the visit.  

 Cold Fish lake is home to caribou, grizzly, black bears, wolves, beavers, and arctic ground squirrels, along with at least 140 bird species, including gyrfalcons, Smith’s longspurs, and American golden plovers. 

Cranberry Marsh 2021 by Carl (2)

On the Ground: Cranberry Marsh - West

We initiated a wetland restoration project in 2025, in partnership with Simpcw Resources Group and the Province of BC, to mitigate previous channelling of the waterway through the conservation area. Eleven beaver dam analogs and five post assisted log structures were installed to retain water in the wet meadow. We plan to plant a variety of native vegetation (trees and shrubs) here in 2026.


Carleton MacNaughton
Interior and Coastal Mainland Conservation Land Manager

Carleton has worked in conservation land management with NTBC since 1998. He oversees management of our conservation holdings in the South Coast, Cariboo, Omineca, Skeena, and Peace regions. Originally from the southern Okanagan Valley, Carleton loves hiking and camping in the great outdoors. 

Carleton has a Master of Science in Environment and Management from Royal Roads University in Victoria, where he also completed his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, and an Environmental Technology Diploma from Camosun College.

Our partners in the North & Central Interior


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🌿 Join the NTBC Board of Directors & help protect BC’s biodiversity!

NTBC is home to an incredible team of Board of Directors who lead our mission to protect BC’s irreplaceable biodiversity. Now, we’re looking for new passionate leaders to join this powerful group and help shape the future of land conservation in our province!

Interested in contributing your skills, or know someone who would be a great fit? Learn more and apply using the link in our bio!

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🌿 Join the NTBC Board of Directors & help protect BC’s biodiversity! NTBC is home to an incredible team of Board of Directors who lead our mission to protect BC’s irreplaceable biodiversity. Now, we’re looking for new passionate leaders to join this powerful group and help shape the future of land conservation in our province! Interested in contributing your skills, or know someone who would be a great fit? Learn more and apply using the link in our bio!

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📣 🚨 Volunteer Opportunity!

Help us restore McLean Creek 🌲

NTBC is teaming up with the Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Program (OCCP), Penticton Indian Band (PIB), and En’owkin Centre to bring life back to the riparian habitat at McLean Creek in the Vaseux–Okanagan Falls Biodiversity Ranch.

This season, we’re planting over 2,500 native shrubs and trees to boost wildlife habitat, strengthen ecosystem health, and protect this vital creek corridor.

Want to be a part of this incredible conservation project? There will be two community planting and restoration days:

📅 Thursday, October 15
📅 Saturday, October 24

No previous experience is required, and gloves, tools, and guidance will be provided. Come out and be part of something meaningful! Every plant makes a difference.

Sign up today and help us restore McLean Creek! 🌱 Link in bio

📸 Photo taken by Dominique Bowden

@okanaganconservation #ntbc #volunteer #conservation #bc

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📣 🚨 Volunteer Opportunity! Help us restore McLean Creek 🌲 NTBC is teaming up with the Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Program (OCCP), Penticton Indian Band (PIB), and En’owkin Centre to bring life back to the riparian habitat at McLean Creek in the Vaseux–Okanagan Falls Biodiversity Ranch. This season, we’re planting over 2,500 native shrubs and trees to boost wildlife habitat, strengthen ecosystem health, and protect this vital creek corridor. Want to be a part of this incredible conservation project? There will be two community planting and restoration days: 📅 Thursday, October 15 📅 Saturday, October 24 No previous experience is required, and gloves, tools, and guidance will be provided. Come out and be part of something meaningful! Every plant makes a difference. Sign up today and help us restore McLean Creek! 🌱 Link in bio 📸 Photo taken by Dominique Bowden @okanaganconservation #ntbc #volunteer #conservation #bc

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The amount of amphibian photos that get shared around our team is astounding 🐸 I hope they don’t mind.

BC is home to only one species of newt: the Rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa). They spend parts of the year in moist forests along the west coast, hiding under logs and rocks before migrating to ponds, lakes, and streams in the spring to breed. They are a favourite amongst our field crews, for good reason 🧡

#ntbc #newt #amphibians #bc #foryou

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The amount of amphibian photos that get shared around our team is astounding 🐸 I hope they don’t mind. BC is home to only one species of newt: the Rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa). They spend parts of the year in moist forests along the west coast, hiding under logs and rocks before migrating to ponds, lakes, and streams in the spring to breed. They are a favourite amongst our field crews, for good reason 🧡 #ntbc #newt #amphibians #bc #foryou

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Big conservation news ‼️📣 You can help NTBC purchase and protect 354 acres of critical habitat in the Kootenay River Floodplain.
Located on the traditional and unceded territories of the Ktunaxa and Secwépemc Peoples, the Kootenay River Floodplain is an ecologically rich area that features a rare, largely intact stretch of riparian ecosystems.

Why is this land so important? Read on 👇

🦌 Lower Wolf Creek is connected to other protected areas, making the land more viable, resilient, and providing corridors for species to move more freely.

🌲 It supports ecosystems that are underrepresented in exciting conservation lands.

🌾 It contains rich wetlands and riparian areas of high ecological value that shelter waterfowl and shorebird species.

🦫 It’s home to at-risk wildlife species and migratory birds, like the American badger, Lewis’s woodpecker, barn hawk, Western painted turtle, and many more.

We must raise $300,000 to protect this special habitat forever. Learn more and donate today with the link in our bio 🌱

#conservation #ntbc #bc #explorepage✨ #fundraiser

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Big conservation news ‼️📣 You can help NTBC purchase and protect 354 acres of critical habitat in the Kootenay River Floodplain. Located on the traditional and unceded territories of the Ktunaxa and Secwépemc Peoples, the Kootenay River Floodplain is an ecologically rich area that features a rare, largely intact stretch of riparian ecosystems. Why is this land so important? Read on 👇 🦌 Lower Wolf Creek is connected to other protected areas, making the land more viable, resilient, and providing corridors for species to move more freely. 🌲 It supports ecosystems that are underrepresented in exciting conservation lands. 🌾 It contains rich wetlands and riparian areas of high ecological value that shelter waterfowl and shorebird species. 🦫 It’s home to at-risk wildlife species and migratory birds, like the American badger, Lewis’s woodpecker, barn hawk, Western painted turtle, and many more. We must raise $300,000 to protect this special habitat forever. Learn more and donate today with the link in our bio 🌱 #conservation #ntbc #bc #explorepage✨ #fundraiser

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Our NTBC crews can now add beaver dam building to their résumés 🦫

At the end of September, our Thompson-Okanagan Land Management crew partnered with the @bcwildlifefederation to build 22 beaver dam analogues (BDAs) at White Lake.

Activities such as drainage, road construction, logging, and land use can disrupt natural water flow. Streams may move faster and become disconnected from their floodplains, leaving less water to support local biodiversity.

BDAs mimic natural beaver dams by slowing water flow and helping reconnect streams with their floodplains. They are also built entirely out of natural materials like trees and mud.

By storing water and reducing erosion, BDAs support resilient wetlands and help rewild BC’s waterways! 🌾🦫

#ntbc #explore #wildlife #conservation #bc

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Our NTBC crews can now add beaver dam building to their résumés 🦫 At the end of September, our Thompson-Okanagan Land Management crew partnered with the @bcwildlifefederation to build 22 beaver dam analogues (BDAs) at White Lake. Activities such as drainage, road construction, logging, and land use can disrupt natural water flow. Streams may move faster and become disconnected from their floodplains, leaving less water to support local biodiversity. BDAs mimic natural beaver dams by slowing water flow and helping reconnect streams with their floodplains. They are also built entirely out of natural materials like trees and mud. By storing water and reducing erosion, BDAs support resilient wetlands and help rewild BC’s waterways! 🌾🦫 #ntbc #explore #wildlife #conservation #bc

naturetrustbc

Bring on the birds! 🪶🦉

The fall migration has arrived in BC, and NTBC crew members are sharing their expert birding tips and tricks, as well as some locations that give you your best chance to view some of BC’s migrating visitors.

Where will you go birding this season? Grab your binoculars and check out the best spots for birding this fall!

Read the full guide to get prepared! Link in bio 🌱

#NTBC #birding #birds #conservation #BC

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Bring on the birds! 🪶🦉 The fall migration has arrived in BC, and NTBC crew members are sharing their expert birding tips and tricks, as well as some locations that give you your best chance to view some of BC’s migrating visitors. Where will you go birding this season? Grab your binoculars and check out the best spots for birding this fall! Read the full guide to get prepared! Link in bio 🌱 #NTBC #birding #birds #conservation #BC

naturetrustbc

🧡 September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. Today, we stand in solidarity to honour Survivors of Canada’s residential school system, the children who were lost, and the families and communities that continue to feel the immense and intergenerational impact of the residential schools.

At NTBC, we’re committed to practicing reconciliation in everything we do. Reconciliation is a lifelong journey, and we’re dedicated to walking it alongside Indigenous partners. Indigenous peoples have cared for these lands since time beyond memory, and we’re privileged to collaborate with First Nations to protect and restore the lands and waters of BC.

We’re deeply thankful for the wisdom and guidance of Indigenous leaders, organizations, guardians, and communities as we work together to steward these diverse lands and waters. Strong relationships with our First Nations partners and a deeper connection to the land are essential to safeguarding ecosystems for wildlife and people alike.

If you’d like to contribute to initiatives like community-building, education, resilience, and cultural preservation, please consider supporting these incredible organizations:

Orange Shirt Society (@orangeshirtsociety)

Victoria Native Friendship Centre (@victorianativefriendshipcentre)

Residential School Survivors Society (@irsssbc)

Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society (@kamloopsfriendshipcentre)

Prince George Native Friendship Centre (@pgnativefc)

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🧡 September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. Today, we stand in solidarity to honour Survivors of Canada’s residential school system, the children who were lost, and the families and communities that continue to feel the immense and intergenerational impact of the residential schools. At NTBC, we’re committed to practicing reconciliation in everything we do. Reconciliation is a lifelong journey, and we’re dedicated to walking it alongside Indigenous partners. Indigenous peoples have cared for these lands since time beyond memory, and we’re privileged to collaborate with First Nations to protect and restore the lands and waters of BC. We’re deeply thankful for the wisdom and guidance of Indigenous leaders, organizations, guardians, and communities as we work together to steward these diverse lands and waters. Strong relationships with our First Nations partners and a deeper connection to the land are essential to safeguarding ecosystems for wildlife and people alike. If you’d like to contribute to initiatives like community-building, education, resilience, and cultural preservation, please consider supporting these incredible organizations: Orange Shirt Society (@orangeshirtsociety) Victoria Native Friendship Centre (@victorianativefriendshipcentre) Residential School Survivors Society (@irsssbc) Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society (@kamloopsfriendshipcentre) Prince George Native Friendship Centre (@pgnativefc)
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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. 

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