Salmon River Funding Drive

Salmon (Xwesam) River (Photo: Tyler Cave)

The Nature Trust of BC must raise $294,000 by April 9th 2025 in order to acquire another 105.6 acres (42.7 hectares) of highly valuable and ecologically sensitive land located in the Salmon (Xwesam) River flood plain. To the end of February the Nature Trust has received $65,547, so there is a considerable road yet to travel in order to meet their final goal.

The river flows from the mountainous regions of northern Vancouver Island situated northwest of Campbell River. It is home to all five salmon species plus steelhead and cutthroat trout, and has a catchment area exceeding 1300 sq. kilometers before converging with the White River, near the community of Sayward, where it drains into Kelsey Bay and Johnstone Strait.

The Nature Trust began its conservation activities in 1971 with the help of a $4.5 million dollar grant from the Federal government. Since then the Trust has acquired 500 conservation areas that are representative of the unique environments BC has to offer. These acquisitions amount to 180,000 acres (73,000 hectares) of protected lands.

This is not Nature Trust’s first acquisition on the Salmon (Xwesam) River. During a 50 year span the Trust has amassed over 1000 acres (roughly 420 hectares). It is known as the Salmon River Estuary Conservation Complex. These lands increase the connectivity of riparian and estuarine regions that are so important for the movement and conservation of the regions mammals and birds, the maintenance of highly valuable forests containing a wealth of tree and plant species and the protection of the river’s watercourse.

Salmon River lower reaches (Photo: Tyler Cave)

The region boasts stands of Sitka spruce, Grand fir, Douglas fir and red Cedar. It supports Blue herons, Screech owls, migratory birds, shorebirds, northern Pigmy owls, Roosevelt elk, coast Black tail deer, smaller mammals, wolves, cougars, Black bears and now Grizzly bears. Grizzlies have been island hopping from the mainland for many years. However, now the possibility exists that a breeding population has already, or might soon, take hold after a sighting of a mother bear and cubs. Catherine Babaut photographed the two cubs with their mother in July 2024, making this the first official confirmation of grizzly bear cubs on northern Vancouver Island.

According to the Nature Trust’s CEO Dr. Jasper Lament “the Salmon (Xwesam) River is a magnificent place for fish and wildlife”. Lament joined the Nature Lament in 2012 after an extensive career in conservation work in the US and Canada. He adds “I cherish memories of floating peacefully downstream, surrounded by Sitka Spruce and Roosevelt elk, dreaming of future fishing adventures”.

CEO Dr. Jasper Lament Photo: Nature Trust

Lament invites Island Fishermen’s readers to “join us in building a legacy for future generations of fish, wildlife and people. Every dollar counts!”

The Xwésam (Salmon) River – Floodplain Forest Project

Read more about the Nature Trust here.