Wednesday January 14, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The BC Ministry of Environment and Parks has announced the addition of land to two protected areas as part of increasing protection of important wildlife habitat.
In a news release yesterday, the Ministry of Environment and Parks provided an update.
- Nearly 1,060 hectares are being added to West Twin Protected Area to increase protection of important wildlife habitat across the Robson Valley. The additional 1,060 hectares area is intended to increase protection of important wildlife habitat across the Robson Valley. Located near McBride, the expansion includes 59 hectares of private land adjacent to the protected area that was purchased by the Province in March 2020, along with approximately 1,000 hectares of Crown land.
- The West Twin Protected Area was established in 2001; together with adjacent West Twin Park it forms the only protected corridor across the Robson Valley. It covers more than 30,000 hectares to form the only protected wildlife corridor across the Robson Valley. The area spans from the Cariboo Mountains in the south, through the main Robson Valley trench and up to the front ranges of the Rocky Mountains. The additional land improves habitat connection for caribou, moose, elk, deer, grizzly bears and many other species. The Crown land was originally identified for protection through the Robson Valley Land and Resource Management Plan, but the land had two historical mineral claims that have now been forfeited. The land also contains old-growth priority deferral areas and an existing old-growth management area. The lower West Twin Creek is an important spawning area for Chinook salmon.
- At the Seven Sisters Protected Area near Terrace three hectares will be added to include a segment of the Oliver Creek Trail into the protected area boundary. the three hectares of private land as purchased in 2023 will be added to include a segment of the Oliver Creek Trail in the protected area boundary. The trail is one of the main access routes into the protected area and is popular for biking, horseback riding and hiking. Seven Sisters Protected Area is named for the spectacular set of peaks visible from Highway 16 between Hazelton and Terrace.
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NEWS SECTIONS: PARKS & TRAILS | ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY