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$30,000 donated to French Creek Estuary fundraising campaign

18-acre property primed for the creation of an eagle sanctuary
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A donation to the French Creek Estuary fundraising campaign was received in honour of the late Alan Steven John. (Submitted photo)

A donation of $30,000 has been presented to the BC Parks Foundation French Creek Estuary campaign to help purchase the 18-acre property for the creation of an eagle sanctuary.

The donation was provided by Marilyn Johnson in honour of her late husband, Alan Steven John, who is known for his generosity and a gifted artist with deep love, respect and appreciation for the natural beauty of the Parksville Qualicum Beach region.

“My husband, Alan, was passionate about preserving the natural environment of this Island,” said Johnson. “This project is a remarkable collaboration between landowners, donors, volunteers, organizations, and local government. I hope others will see the value of this initiative and will be inspired to donate too and reach the $300,000 goal.”

READ MORE: Major donations assist efforts to preserve French Creek estuary, create eagle reserve

This gift continues the couple’s legacy of supporting their local community and honours the late artist’s values of generosity and his appreciation of the wildlife in the Oceanside area. This timely donation singularly achieves 10 per cent of the $300,000 needed to secure the land purchase. It bring the total of the fundraising goal that was launched in February below $200,000 and must be raised by April 10.

“The French Creek community has been dedicated to the protection of the French Creek Estuary for many years, and this generous donation gives the campaign and the many volunteers working on it, a significant lift,” said RDN director Lehann Wallace. “I hope it will inspire others to give, and I sincerely thank Ms. Johnson and the many others in our community that are making the Eagle Preserve at French Creek Estuary a reality.”

People interested in helping protect the estuary can find out how at http://www.bcparksfoundation.ca/french-creek-estuary

BC Parks Foundation, the Regional District of Nanaimo, the Save Estuary Land Society, Friends of French Creek Conservation Society and Qualicum and Snaw-Naw-As First Nation have all joined together to raise funds to create a nature reserve for the bald eagles and other life in the 23-acre estuary.

— NEWS Staff, submitted

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