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Parksville city council formally announces appreciation for $6M donation

Motion made thanking Wilson 5 Foundation for move to preserve ecologically sensitive site
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The Wilson Nature Park sign was unveiled at the Englishman River Estuary on Marine Way in Parksville on Sept. 16. Pictured from left, The Nature of BC chair and CEO respectively, Emily Griffiths-Hamilton and Jasper Lamont, and founders of the Wilson 5 Foundation, Summer and Chip Wilson. (Michael Briones Photo)

Parksville city council has unanimously voted in favour of formally announcing their appreciation to the Wilson 5 Foundation.

The foundation, a private philanthropic foundation established by Chip and Summer Wilson, donated $6 million to The Nature Trust of BC to purchase a 2.8-hectare in-fill property at the mouth of the Englishman River on Mariner Way in Parksville. It was the largest land conservancy gift made by the foundation to date.

At the Oct. 4 council meeting, Coun. Doug O’Brien made the motion, seconded by Coun. Wilson, to formally announce and celebrate the generous gift donation to protect and preserve the ecologically sensitive site.

READ MORE: Wilson 5 Foundation donates $6M to re-naturalize Englishman River Estuary in Parksville

“On behalf of the citizens of Parksville, I wish to acknowledge this incredible gesture from the Wilson 5 Foundation that will be managed by the nature trust conservancy,” he said.

At the previous council meeting, O’Brien said he thought a formal announcement would be appropriate since the Englishman River runs through the City of Parksville, and the donation will give further protection of where the estuary empties into the ocean, which is vital to the habitat.

The Nature Trust of BC has secured 500 conservation properties, including nine properties along the Englishman River. They now own 67.4 hectares in the estuary and has successfully conserved 244.3 hectares along the Englishman River.

Mayor Ed Mayne stated he would be sending a formal letter as well to the foundation in acknowledgement of the donation.

mandy.moraes@pqbnews.com

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Mandy Moraes

About the Author: Mandy Moraes

I joined Black Press Media in 2020 as a multimedia reporter for the Parksville Qualicum Beach News, and transferred to the News Bulletin in 2022
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