BC Parks Foundation

A Natural Winner! Community Crowdfunding Campaign Combines with Major Funders To Protect Area on Juniper Ridge in Kamloops

March 31, 2025 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Vancouver, BC - An important grassland ecosystem within minutes of downtown Kamloops, BC, has been conserved thanks to an extraordinary community effort.

When 209 hectares of rare grasslands near Juniper Ridge came up for sale, the BC Parks Foundation heard from residents about the urgent need to conserve the area. 

“Grasslands cover less than one per cent of British Columbia but are home to more than 30% of BC’s threatened species, like bighorn sheep, badgers, and butterflies,” says Andy Day, CEO of the Foundation.  “We knew it would be a real challenge, but we also knew it needed to get done, so we set out to raise funds to purchase and preserve the area.”

The Grasslands Conservation Council, the Kamloops Naturalist Club, Juniper Ridge Community Association, and Brock Central Lions Club all stepped up to contribute. Kamloops residents Rendal and Leah Tschritter gave a huge boost to the campaign along with hundreds of other Kamloopsians. There were also supporters from across BC, including Heather Merilees, who made a major gift. Even then, with a few weeks to go, funds were still needed to reach the fundraising target. That’s when an anonymous Kelowna donor stepped up with a large gift and others came through to complete the crowdfunding goal.

All of the dollars raised through crowdfunding were matched by the Wilson 5 Foundation.

“Protecting BC’s wild spaces isn’t just about conservation—it’s about creating places where people can move, connect, and thrive in nature,” say Summer and Chip Wilson, Founders of Wilson 5 Foundation. “The Kamloops community came together to make this happen, and we’re proud to support a legacy that ensures these grasslands remain protected and accessible for generations to come.”

Support also came from Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, with the combined effort of all parties making the project a success.

“I have just been wowed and inspired by everyone who contributed,” says BC Parks Foundation CEO Andy Day. “It was a very exciting campaign, and every donation, post, share, and conversation mattered. I can’t thank everyone enough for your determination and dedication to getting across the finish line. It shows the power of all kinds of British Columbians coming together, and how much we all love BC and want to keep it beautiful.”

Tom Dickinson has lived near the protected property for almost 35 years. As Chair of the Grasslands Conservation Council of BC, he knows all too well why the land is important to protect.

“For decades I have walked this area and been intrigued by the natural history of the grasslands and how fragile they are,” says Dickinson. “Today is an especially historical day knowing we did our part to protect this area forever.”

The next steps for the project will be working with community partners to develop a management plan.

“We want to make sure the values are preserved properly and can be enjoyed safely and responsibly. That will take a little while and we appreciate everyone’s patience as we work on the best ways to keep the area clean and pristine for wildlife and people,” says Day.

Nancy Flood, President of the Kamloops Naturalist Club, couldn’t agree more.

“Nature gives so much to us,” she says. “If we want to keep it beautiful and whole, we need to give back to nature.” 

About BC Parks Foundation 

BC Parks Foundation proudly acts as the official charitable partner for British Columbia’s world class system of parks and conservation areas. We inspire and empower you to enjoy and conserve areas in BC, so that they flourish for now, for all, forever. 

www.bcparksfoundation.ca 

About ECCC 

Environment and Climate Change Canada is committed to protecting and conserving our natural heritage, predicting weather and environmental conditions, preventing and managing pollution, promoting clean growth and a sustainable environment for present and future generations. 

About the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund 

Canada’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF), which supported this acquisition, is a $1.4 billion, ten-year fund (2021–2031) administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada to help conserve, restore, and enhance the management of ecosystems such as wetlands, peatlands, forests, and grasslands, in order to help tackle the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. The NSCSF focuses on three main objectives: (1) conserving carbon-rich ecosystems at high risk of conversion to other uses that would release their stored carbon; (2) improving land management practices to reduce their greenhouse gas emission-causing impacts on Canada’s ecosystems; and (3) restoring degraded ecosystems. Overall, these projects will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and increased carbon sequestration, while also providing benefits for biodiversity and human well-being. 

https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change.html 

About Wilson 5 Foundation 

The Wilson 5 Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation established in 2012 by Chip and Summer Wilson. The foundation partners with world class organizations and invests time, knowledge, and resources to create what otherwise might not occur. The Wilson 5 Foundation is focused on funding land conservancy, park creation and sharing public art in British Columbia. 

https://wilson5foundation.org/ 

Media Contact for BC Parks Foundation 

Robin Gill 
Communications Consultant 
robin.gill@bcparksfoundation.ca 
778-968-0708