It is under the care of the W̱MÍYEŦEN Nature Sanctuary Society in alliance with WSÁNEC Knowledge Keepers We acknowledge with respect that the land on which we work is the Traditional and present territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work in this territory. As a charitable environmental organization, we recognize that we have the responsibility to work towar
ds truth and reconciliation, and to remain open to suggestions and consultations, with local Indigenous communities. The creation of the Mary Lake Nature Sanctuary began when the Greater Victoria Greenbelt Society initiated the purchase of the property in Dec. 2016 with the dedication of a small group of Highlanders and the support of Vancity. The property had been in private ownership since 1889 and for the past 70+ years had been lovingly conserved by the owners. It sits in the imperiled Coastal Douglas-fir Bioclimatic zone containing 7 connected ecosystems that supports biodiversity and wildlife habitat. Most importantly the Millstream watershed runs through it creating precious riparian areas including the 7 acre lake. These riparian areas contain the highest level of species diversity and in the local Capital Regional District we have lost over 80% of the wetlands to development. There are also several red listed plant ecological communities and threatened species on this property.
