Donors to The Nature Trust of B.C. successfully raised $515,000 to save 36.3 acres of old coastal forest near Harrison Mills before it can be sold or developed. 

Nature Trust recently announced the fundraising goal had been met in time for the March 31 deadline to purchase about 15 hectares of "Lake Errock's ecologically significant land." 

The old coastal forest in the area is up to 250 years old and Nature Trust considers the land a "biodiversity powerhouse." It serves as a refuge for a  number of endangered and at-risk species, not the least of which include the great blue heron, western painted turtle and barn swallow. The Lake Errock area boasts a mix of douglas fir trees, western hemlock and western red cedar.

"Saving the old forest along Lake Errock from harvesting or development will forever protect critical habitat for species at risk who rely on these ecosystems for their survival," Nature Trust stated. "By protecting and stewarding these lands forever, species such as the iconic endangered Spotted Owl鈥攐f which there is only one female left in the wild in BC鈥攃ould be given a chance for recovery. This project is so important for the efforts to recover iconic old growth dependent species and ensure a home for Spotted Owls to thrive in the future."

Last year, the federal government identified 400,000 hectares of potential habitat for the northern spotted owl near Hope, including within the Spuzzum (Sp么'z锚m) First Nation. The spotted owl holds cultural significant to First Nations communities in the area, seen as a messenger.

Lake Errock is located in the traditional territory of the Sq'茅wlets First Nation and is culturally significant to its people.