Around 360 hectares of land just west of Qualicum Beach, known as Hamilton Marsh, is poised to be be turned into a protected conservation site, providing the Regional District of Nanaimo can raise $7.5 million.(Submitted/Arrowsmith Media)

By NanaimoNewsNOW staff

new protected land

Agreement reached to conserve 360 hectare Hamilton Marsh

Sep 2, 2025 | 1:04 PM

QUALICUM BEACH — A conditional sale agreement been signed to conserve a large chunk of forested land west of Qualicum Beach into a conservation area at a cost of $30 million.

On Tuesday, Sept. 6, the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) and Mosaic Forest Management (Mosaic) announced the signing of a conditional contract involving the transfer of the 360 hectare Hamilton Marsh.

Conditions to secure the sale and turn the area into a regional parkland and conservation area include the RDN securing at least $7.5 million in funding through other partners.

Hamilton Marsh is a popular destination for bird watchers and outdoor enthusiasts (Hamilton Wetlands and Forest Preservation Society)

The land is currently owned by Island Timberlands and managed under Mosaic.

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Most of Hamilton Marsh is located within RDN Electoral Area F and a segment of Area G, bounded by Hilliers Rd. to the north and west and Memorial Ave to the east.

It contains several wetland habitats, including a prolific waterfowl brood marsh, according to the RDN, with multiple wildlife species residing in the area.

The marsh also forms part of the French Creek watershed and connects with Beach and Grandon Creek in Qualicum Beach.

Hamilton Marsh would be the RDN’s thirteenth regional park and conservation area, adding to the over 2,800 hectares of land within the 12 other regional and 216 community parks between Cedar and Deep Bay .

According to the RDN, Hamilton Marsh includes mature forest which within 150 years would be classified as old-growth if left undisturbed. (Submitted/Arrowsmith Media)

The RDN is looking for funding contributions from partners, including the province and conservation groups, to help offset costs.

The public will also have an opportunity to donate towards this purchase once partnership agreements are finalized this fall.

A partnership agreement with funds in place, approved by the RDN Board, must be completed by Nov. 21, with confirmation of the $7.5 million contribution by the end of January 2026.

The sale would be finalized by March 31, 2026, provided all of the conditions have been met, according to the RDN.

More information can be found here at the RDN’s website.

“We are pleased to work with Mosaic to protect this ecologically significant land, and to make this important addition to our extensive parks system a reality. Preserving natural areas for the benefit of wildlife, water conservation, and future generations is essential,” Vanessa Craig, RDN Board Chair.

Hamilton Marsh area is located between Hwy. 19 and Hwy. 4 between Hilliers and Coombs. (Submitted/Arrowsmith Media)

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