'A defining moment for nature': 37,000 hectares protected in the B.C. Rockies

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has purchased 37,000 hectares of land in the Elk Valley from Doman Building Materials Group Ltd., in one of the largest private land contributions in the country.

The sale of the land closed on Sept. 29, in phase two of an acquisition for 45,000 hectares of land in the Elk Valley and surrounding area.

"It's a defining moment for nature in Canada, let alone in British Columbia," said NCC Canadian Rockies program director Richard Klafki.

"It really is a once in a generation opportunity," he added.

NCC purchased 8,000 hectares on two separate parcels of land near Crowsnest Pass and the headwaters of the Flathead in March in phase one of the project. Phase two in the Elk Valley brings 37,000 hectares under the care of the NCC.

NCC also owns a few oth