Hamilton Marsh Conditional Purchase

credit to Arrowsmith Media

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) and Mosaic Forest Management are pleased to announce that a conditional Contract of Purchase and Sale (CPS) has been signed for approximately 360 hectares (ha) of land known as Hamilton Marsh. An offer of $30 million was accepted, with the sale anticipated to be completed by March 31, 2026. In February, Mosaic Forest Management agreed to revise the purchase terms to $28 million in their efforts to help the RDN preserve the site.

Acquiring Hamilton Marsh as a regional park and conservation area has been a priority for the RDN, lands trusts and conservation organizations for many years.

About Hamilton Marsh

Owned by Island Timberlands and managed under Mosaic Forest Management, Hamilton Marsh is located south of the Town of Qualicum Beach. Most of the land is within RDN Electoral Area F and a segment falls within Electoral Area G. The site is bounded by Hilliers Road on the north and west sides, Memorial Avenue on the east side, and the Island Corridor Foundation rail corridor on the south side.

The marsh itself is approximately 36 hectares and with the surrounding forest, the property totals approximately 360 hectares. It forms part of the French Creek watershed and connects with Beach and Grandon Creek in the Town of Qualicum Beach. It is formed through a combination of several wetland habitats including a prolific waterfowl brood marsh. Many species of wildlife that use the marsh and surrounding mature, second-growth forest are listed by the Conservation Data Centre as species of concern or at risk.

The acquisition site contains many priority West Coast Region environmental values including an extensive stand of mature forest. This ecologically significant wetland and mature forest is located within the Coastal Douglas-fir moist maritime biogeoclimatic subzone. In the absence of a stand-altering disturbance the 100-year old mature forest will be classified as old-growth within 150 years; the area represents an important recruitment site for this rare type of old forest within the province.

For More Information and to Get Involved

  • Stay informed by clicking on subscribe to leave your email address and receive email updates
  • Explore this webpage to find out more about the agreement to purchase the property, the property and next steps in the Background Documents and Important Links
  • Check out the photos and videos of this impressive land
  • Visit the FAQ's, which answer common questions, more will be added to along the way based on what we are hearing
  • Ask a question and we will do our best to answer it and share the information with everyone

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) and Mosaic Forest Management are pleased to announce that a conditional Contract of Purchase and Sale (CPS) has been signed for approximately 360 hectares (ha) of land known as Hamilton Marsh. An offer of $30 million was accepted, with the sale anticipated to be completed by March 31, 2026. In February, Mosaic Forest Management agreed to revise the purchase terms to $28 million in their efforts to help the RDN preserve the site.

Acquiring Hamilton Marsh as a regional park and conservation area has been a priority for the RDN, lands trusts and conservation organizations for many years.

About Hamilton Marsh

Owned by Island Timberlands and managed under Mosaic Forest Management, Hamilton Marsh is located south of the Town of Qualicum Beach. Most of the land is within RDN Electoral Area F and a segment falls within Electoral Area G. The site is bounded by Hilliers Road on the north and west sides, Memorial Avenue on the east side, and the Island Corridor Foundation rail corridor on the south side.

The marsh itself is approximately 36 hectares and with the surrounding forest, the property totals approximately 360 hectares. It forms part of the French Creek watershed and connects with Beach and Grandon Creek in the Town of Qualicum Beach. It is formed through a combination of several wetland habitats including a prolific waterfowl brood marsh. Many species of wildlife that use the marsh and surrounding mature, second-growth forest are listed by the Conservation Data Centre as species of concern or at risk.

The acquisition site contains many priority West Coast Region environmental values including an extensive stand of mature forest. This ecologically significant wetland and mature forest is located within the Coastal Douglas-fir moist maritime biogeoclimatic subzone. In the absence of a stand-altering disturbance the 100-year old mature forest will be classified as old-growth within 150 years; the area represents an important recruitment site for this rare type of old forest within the province.

For More Information and to Get Involved

  • Stay informed by clicking on subscribe to leave your email address and receive email updates
  • Explore this webpage to find out more about the agreement to purchase the property, the property and next steps in the Background Documents and Important Links
  • Check out the photos and videos of this impressive land
  • Visit the FAQ's, which answer common questions, more will be added to along the way based on what we are hearing
  • Ask a question and we will do our best to answer it and share the information with everyone

  • Completion of Fundraising

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    To fund the purchase, the RDN Board approved long-term borrowing of $21.2 million and has committed over $4 million of capital reserve funds.

    Support from the community has been overwhelming, with almost $550,000 raised by Nanaimo & Area Land Trust (NALT), Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region, Hamilton Wetlands and Forests Preservation Society and Ducks Unlimited Canada - Oceanside Chapter. The remaining funding has now been secured through contribution agreements with The Province (in partnership with the Government of Canada), Nature Trust of BC and the Sitka Foundation.

    • The Province, in partnership with Environment and Climate Change Canada and Parks Canada committed $1,250,000
    • Nature Trust of BC, through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act have committed $841,832
    • The Sitka Foundation, through Nature Trust of BC have committed $100,000

    To see the latest news release with more details about the funding partners please visit rdn.bc.ca/notice-2026-02-25-0.

  • Conditional Purchase Agreement Update

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    Mosaic has agreed to revise the purchase terms to $28 million, subject to Board approval, in their efforts to help the RDN preserve the site. Since November, the RDN and its partners have secured over $25 million in funding for the acquisition. With the lower purchase price and generous support from the community and other agencies, the RDN and Mosaic are optimistic that an agreement can be concluded to secure this critical forest and wetland area.

    Donations and pledges will continue to be gratefully received by Nanaimo & Area Land Trust (NALT) and Mt. Arrowsmith Biosphere Region (MABR) respectively while the parties aim to secure this key conservation site on Vancouver Island.

    To see the latest news release please visit rdn.bc.ca/notice-2026-01-27.

  • Nanaimo and Area Land Trust (NALT)

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    Nanaimo and Area Land Trust (NALT) held a successful fundraising campaign to support the purchase of Hamilton Marsh, helping to make this vision a reality. In January 2026 NALT announced the donations had exceeded their goal of $250,000. Every donation assisted in securing Hamilton Marsh as the newest regional park and conservation area, ensuring its protection for generations to come.

    Support from the community has been overwhelming, the RDN extends our gratitude to all who have generously supported the purchase of Hamilton Marsh.

    For more information about their campaign visit nalt.bc.ca/hamilton-marsh.

  • Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region

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    The Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region (MABR) launched a Conditional Pledge Drive in September to help secure funding towards the purchase of the ecologically vital 360-hectare Hamilton Marsh and Forest. Conditional Pledges are a secure way to commit funds toward the acquisition. The donor's obligation to contribute is not legally enforceable, and funds are not collected until the property purchase agreement is finalized.

    Support from the community has been overwhelming, the RDN extends our gratitude to all who have generously supported the purchase of Hamilton Marsh.

    Visit mabr.ca/hamiltonmarsh to learn more about MABR's Conditional Pledge Drive.

  • Ducks Unlimited Canada, Oceanside Chapter Pledge

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    The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is excited to share that Ducks Unlimited Canada, Oceanside Chapter has pledged generous support toward the purchase of Hamilton Marsh in the amount of $55,000, thanks to funds raised through the community at their annual fundraising dinner.

    This incredible contribution will help to protect Hamilton Marsh and it's vital habitats and preserve the natural space for generations to come.

    The RDN is grateful for the community’s involvement and Ducks Unlimited Canada’s commitment to conservation.

    To learn more about Ducks Unlimited Canada please visit ducks.ca.

  • Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism Association to Match $10K in Pledges

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    The Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism Association has generously committed up to $10,000 in matching pledges for all community donations made to the conservation of Hamilton Marsh through the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region. The matching funds by Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism effectively doubles the impact of community contributions. The Association’s effort calls on tourism and hospitality businesses as well as residents across the region to support the natural heritage that defines Parksville Qualicum Beach. These pledges support the RDN’s effort to raise a minimum of $7.5 million from funding partners and other contributions by January 30, 2026.

    Learn how to make a pledge through the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region at https://www.mabr.ca/hamiltonmarsh.

  • Hamilton Marsh Short Film

    CLOSED: This event has concluded.
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    Hamilton Wetlands and Forest Preservation Society are hosting a Film screening and presentation for Hamilton Marsh. The film Hamilton Marsh – A Living Legacy, by Seidr Productions will be followed by a presentation from Ceri Peacey and there will be an opportunity for questions.

    For more information or to get your tickets please visit hamiltonwetlands.com/events.

    When: November 9, 2025, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
    Where: St. Stephen's United Church, Qualicum Beach

    Additional showing

    Nanaimo and Area Land Trust are hosting another opportunity to view the Hamilton Marsh – A Living Legacy film. Following the film will be a presentation by Lynne Brookes of the Arrowsmith Naturalists.

    For more details please visit nalt.bc.ca/events-calendar/hamilton-marsh-what-are-we-saving

    When: November 18, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
    Where: VI Conference Centre – Shaw Auditorium, Nanaimo

  • Hamilton Marsh Guided Tour

    CLOSED: This event has concluded.
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    Hamilton Wetlands and Forest Preservation Society is hosting guided tours of Hamilton Marsh on Sunday October 12 from 12 - 3 p.m.

    This is a unique opportunity to walk the land, learn about its ecological significance, and see why protecting the wetland and forest area matters. Visit hamiltonwetlands.com/tours for more information or to book your spot.

Page last updated: 31 Mar 2026, 09:56 AM