Conserving Private Lands in Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound

On June 11th, 2025 we hosted a webinar for private landowners to learn about legal tools to protect important ecosystems. Download Sam and Ben’s presentations here.

Conservation Covenants are useful legal tools for protecting ecologically significant private land. They can also protect other special attributes of land, such as cultural and heritage values.

The webinar host, Ruth Simons, introduced Samantha Wing, our Projects Manager, who provided an overview of our work that contributes to Canada’s 30X30 Targets.

Ben van Drimmelan, who wrote the book "BC Covenant Handbook: A Guide to Best Practices for Conservation Covenants in BC," presented and answered questions. Ben van Drimmelen is a retired biologist, forester, and lawyer living in Victoria. The BC Conservation Covenant Handbook was originally published in 2000 and is periodically updated and revised. It is edited and published by the West Coast Environmental Law Research Foundation and the Land Trust Alliance of British Columbia.

Owen Plowman, President of the Bowen Island Conservation Association, presented his story on the acquisition by the Conservancy of the lands known as the Roger Curtis Lands on Bowen Island. This was an informative and helpful story about the significant fundraising to acquire the lands and now the work to ensure protection measures are in place through covenants, and the development of a management plan.

The webinar attendees had the opportunity to ask questions. The recording of Sam, Ben and Owen’s presentations will be posted on our Youttube channel.