The Regional District of Nanaimo are close to securing 360 hectares of land, owned by Mosaic, for future preservation. Hamilton Marsh, south of Qualicum Beach, would become the RDN's 13th regional park. (Image Credit: RDN)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

final steps

Contributions mounting for RDN purchase of Hamilton Marsh

Feb 1, 2026 | 6:19 AM

NANAIMO — The purchase of an expansive area south of Qualicum Beach, envisioned to become a regional park, is inching closer to reality.

The Regional District of Nanaimo is in the process of raising money from private donors and local organizations to purchase Hamilton Marsh, a process which would add over 360 hectares of land coming under the management of the RDN’s parks staff.

Talks remain ongoing between the RDN and the property’s current owner, Mosaic Forest Management, with a revised purchase price of $28 million.

“Protecting natural areas benefits wildlife, water resources and future generations,” Stuart McLean, RDN Board Chair, said in a statement. “Together, we will continue to find the path that will provide permanent conservation of this special place.”

Since moving toward a purchase of the property in November 2025, the Regional District have secured over $25 million in funding, including $2.5 million from local organizations.

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Those include $250,000 in donations from the Nanaimo & Area Land Trust, and $103,000 in pledged funding from the Mt. Arrowsmith Biosphere Region and Hamilton Wetlands and Forest Preservation Society.

Over $2 million in other pledges and funding sources are also committed, should the purchase proceed.

A statement from the RDN stated both they and Mosaic “are optimistic that an agreement can be concluded to secure this critical forest and wetland area.”

“The site includes mature forest within the Coastal Douglas-fir moist maritime subzone,” the RDN statement outlined. “Without disturbance, the 100-year-old forest will become old-growth within 150 years, serving as an important recruitment area for this rare forest type.”

The marsh itself makes up around 10 per cent of the total property size, with the remainder consisting of forested land.

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