Mount Work Coalition Calls on Supporters to Help Save Mountain Road Forest

Deadline to Donate is July 20th! Donate here >

Habitat Acquisition Trust—(HAT) is raising $1.4M to enable the CRD to acquire 49 acres of urban forest located at in Saanich.

Before the deadline of July 20, 2021, HAT still needs to secure over $360,000. For those who have already given so generously – some of you more than once – HAT thanks you from the bottom of their hearts. Please consider passing this 11th hour appeal to a friend, family member or colleague who may be able to help. The next large donations can close the campaign and ensure that this land becomes a regional park, permanently.

The show of support for the protection of Mountain Road Forest has been incredible! As of this morning, 1,225 of you have made donations and helped spread the news of this conservation effort far and wide. We have raised $1,038,581, almost entirely from Greater Victoria. Amazing! When added to the Capital Regional District's pledge of $2M, we have raised 90% of the purchase price. ~Katie Blake , Executive Director, HAT

These nearly 50 acres have defied development to provide us a glimpse of the forest ecosystems that once blanketed much of south Vancouver Island. These trees and habitats are a testament to the families and neighbours who have worked so long and so hard to preserve them for all species. Let’s keep it that way.

Mountain Road Forest is a magnificent example of mature second growth Douglas-fir forests, along with Garry Oak meadows, rocky outcrops, and a rare arbutus grove. The stream that transects the property forms part of the headwaters of the salmon-bearing Colquitz Creek. All of these are among some of Canada’s rarest and most endangered ecosystems, and are rarely found so close to, and easily accessible from, a major urban centre such as Victoria.

All donations to Mountain Road Forest are being held by Habitat Acquisition Trust specifically for the purpose of assisting the Capital Regional District (CRD) to purchase this land as a park, and only for this purpose. In the unlikely event that this purchase cannot complete, each donor would be contacted and everyone who contributed to this campaign would be entitled to a return of their funds. But we are so close to the finish line and with one last sprint, we can break through the ribbon, victorious Victoria, together.

Please visit mountainroadforest.ca for updates and to make donations.

Thank you for your dedication to preserving this special place!