The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) has taken a major step toward protecting one of Vancouver Island's most significant wetlands.
The RDN announced it has signed a conditional purchase agreement with Mosaic Forest Management for Hamilton Marsh, a 360-hectare property south of Qualicum Beach.
The deal is valued at $30 million, with the sale expected to close by March 31, 2026 provided all funding conditions are met.
To finalize the purchase, the RDN must secure at least $7.5 million in funding from partners.
The district is pursuing support from conservation groups, provincial and federal governments and private donors.
Two deadlines are in place for the deal: partnership agreements must be in place by Nov. 21, while confirmation of the $7.5 million minimum must come by Jan. 30, 2026.
The public will also have the opportunity to contribute through a fundraising campaign this fall.
Hamilton Marsh includes a 36-hectare wetland within the French Creek watershed, which connects to Beach and Grandon creeks.
The site provides habitat for waterfowl, salmon, elk, marbled murrelets, red-legged frogs and northern goshawks -- many of which are listed as species at risk.
The property also contains stands of mature Coastal Douglas-fir forest, one of the province's rarest ecosystems. If left undisturbed, the 100-year-old trees will transition into old-growth trees within 50 years.
RDN board chair Vanessa Craig said the acquisition has been a long-standing priority.
"We are pleased to work with Mosaic to protect this ecologically significant land, and to make this important addition to our extensive parks system a reality. Preserving natural areas for the benefit of wildlife, water conservation, and future generations is essential," said Craig.
"We look forward to working with partners and our communities to secure the funding needed to ensure this very special place is permanently protected."
Mosaic also emphasized the value of protecting the marsh for the surrounding community, with D'Arcy Henderson, the company's chief operating officer, calling the conditional purchase "a key step that enables the Regional District to begin working with potential funding partners toward permanent conservation of the area."
If completed, Hamilton Marsh would become the RDN's 13th regional park and conservation area, adding to the district's 2,814 hectares of protected lands and 78 kilometres of trail systems.
The acquisition would also contribute to Canada's "30 by 30" conservation target, which aims to protect 30 per cent of the country's land and water by 2030, according to the RDN.
More information on the conditional purchase agreement and plan to protect the marsh is available on the RDN's website.