Snk’mip Marsh Sanctuary

A wetland sanctuary for nature

A staggering amount of the earth’s ecologically rare and biologically rich wetlands have been drained, filled, plowed under, flooded or otherwise destroyed. There is a noteworthy exception to the alarming global tide of wetland destruction and it’s taking place in the Slocan Valley region of British Columbia: at the Snk'mip Marsh Sanctuary. Here, a previously damaged wetland is being repaired and restored, inch by precious inch. Haven for Ecology purchased this 35-acre parcel of wetland in the Slocan Valley and has undertaken extensive wetland restoration and expansion work as documented in our film Snk'mip Dig Deeper (see the Speaking Up For Nature section below for links to the film trailer and more information). The Snk'mip Marsh Sanctuary is located in the unceded territory of the Sinixt First People.

An aerial view of the Snk'míp Marsh Sanctuary and surrounding area, southeastern BC, Canada.

We host nature interpretive opportunities for school groups and the general public.

Jaŝ Chinook Salmon Nature Sanctuary

Grassland sanctuary & creek for spawning salmon

Grasslands are a highly endangered ecosystem, vital to many species.  In the Chilcotin region of BC, Haven for Ecology stewards a 240-acre sanctuary to provide secure habitat for grizzly bears, wild horses, spawning salmon and a range of other species in need of a secure home.  Our nature sanctuary includes grasslands, vital wetlands, and a salmon-spwaning creek.  Our board members and a crew of volunteers fenced off several kilometres of a meandering section of the creek that transects Haven's property to prevent free-ranging cattle from damaging riparian areas and salmon spawning beds.

The Jaŝ Chinook Salmon Nature Sanctuary is located in the unceded territory of the Xeni Gwet'in First Nation.
We recently changed the sanctuary's name from Elkin Creek Nature Preserve to Jaŝ Chinook Salmon Nature Sanctuary. This excludes the name of a recent settler and includes the local Indigenous People's word for "salmon".

Meandering creek at the Jaŝ Chinook Salmon Nature Sanctuary: a critical spawning area for Chinook salmon.

Wild horses are protected at our nature preserve along with grizzly bears and other rare and sensitive wildlife species.

Colleen’s Beach Park

Lakeshore beach park in memory of a noted conservationist

Colleen's Beach Park is a small strip of lake-shore beach property on Slocan Lake located in the Village of Silverton. This parcel of land was donated to Haven for Ecology, at the time known as Valhalla Foundation for Ecology, in memory of noted environmentalist Colleen McCrory who passed away in 2007. Colleen lived nearby.  From this lakeside park area, visitors can look across beautiful Slocan Lake and enjoy the incredible scenery and breathtaking wild mountains of Valhalla Provincial Park.​

Colleen was a founder of our organization, a leader of the Valhalla Wilderness Society, and a pivotal campaigner and advocate for the creation of Valhalla Provincial Park.  She was recognized by the Goldman Foundation as a world leader in environmental activism (this award has been called the Nobel Prize for environmentalists) and received broad acclaim before leaving us much too soon.

Some of Colleen's family celebrating the official opening: her three children (plus a grandchild) with Colleen's brother Wayne McCrory at right.

One of our founders, Colleen McCrory, a world leader in environmental activism.

The Valhalla Mile

A mile of undeveloped lakeshore...
now part of a BC Provincial Park

Haven for Ecology spearheaded the campaign to raise funds to acquire this 155-acre parcel of forested private land (including a mile of lake frontage) that had been a private in-holding located within the boundaries of Valhalla Provincial Park in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia.  After an intense and successful fundraising campaign, the parcel was acquired and donated to BC Parks to become part of the park, with a strong conservation covenant on it.  This property is now protected in perpetuity for the enjoyment of all who wish to appreciate wild nature in Valhalla Provincial Park.  We continue to monitor this property to ensure it remains fully protected (in partnership with The Land Conservancy of BC).  We also monitor adjacent lakeshore activities on Slocan Lake to ensure no unauthorized or ecologically damaging works are done.

Thanks to Haven for Ecology, this pristine lake-shore is protected and is now part of Valhalla Provincial Park

A mile of rare, undeveloped lakeshore acquired and donated to BC Parks.