B.C.'s largest mining company is donating $2 million to help preserve a section of Columbia Lake in southeastern B.C.
Teck Resources Ltd (TSX:TCK) is donating the $2 million to the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), which plans to buy Lot 48 on the east shore of Columbia Lake.
Located five kilometres south of the Fairmont Hot Springs, the127-hectare section of Columbia Lake is privately owned and is considered to have high ecological and cultural value. The NCC is trying to raise $7.2 million to buy the land and set up a stewardship endowment fund.
"This ecologically and culturally rich property is the last remaining parcel on the east shore of Columbia Lake that is not yet designated for conservation," said NCC CEO John Lounds.
"We are grateful for Teck's support, which is a significant contribution to the protection of a natural treasure."
When included with adjacent Crown land, Lot 48 will help create "an unbroken network of protected lands that will span more than 7,600 hectares," according to Linda Hannah, B.C. regional vice-president for NCC.
Teck CEO Don Lindsay said, "Teck is proud to support the Nature Conservancy of Canada, the Ktunaxa Nation and local communities in working to protect this area of great cultural and ecological significance.
"This investment will help conserve an important ecosystem in the headwaters of the Columbia River for the benefit of future generations."
The east shore of Columbia Lake provides habitat for bighorn sheep, elk and a number of rare and endangered species.
