City of Richmond, Ducks Unlimited buy Sturgeon Banks land
Mayor Malcolm Brodie formally announced today the city’s purchase of 51.4 hectares (127 acres) of Sturgeon Banks.
Ducks Unlimited Canada regional director Les Bogdan joined Brodie at a press conference held on West Dyke Thursday afternoon.
The Lulu Island foreshore land, nearly the size of the Garden City lands, is being designated as a conservation site.
The city made the deal in partnership with Ducks Unlimited for a total cost of $3,050,000 in cash and donation receipts under the federal Ecological Gifts Program.
Under terms of the agreement, Richmond will own two-thirds of the land—located just outside the West Dyke between Blundell Road and Westminster Highway—while Ducks Unlimited Canada will own one-third.
The land purchase protects the largest piece of privately-held land in Sturgeon banks, according to the city.
It was previously owned by the Grauer family.
At least 47 species of shorebirds and significant populations of great blue herons, swans, snow geese and ducks feed in Sturgeon Banks, according to the B.C. Ministry of Environment.
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