Lululemon founder Chip Wilson and the BC Parks Foundation want your help to save 32 hectares of forest within Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park.
And, they're facing a deadline.
The charitable arm of the provincial parks system needs to raise $800,000 by Aug. 14, and have that amount matched by the Wilson 5 Foundation, in order to buy the land and save it from potential private development.
Although completely surrounded by protected parkland, the 32 hectares is privately owned and the owner could potentially develop the plot in the future.
The total cost to buy the 32 hectares is $1.6 million.
The foundation has launched an $800,000 public fundraiser at https://bcparksfoundation.
The Wilson 5 Foundation, which Wilson co-founded and named after his five sons, has committed to match every dollar donated in order to come up with the additional $800,000 needed.
The Wilson 5 Foundation's focus is land conservation, public parks and public art.
"Much-loved places like Myra-Bellevue Park are vital to people and wildlife," said BC Parks Foundation CEO Andy Day.
"Today, we have an opportunity to protect another remarkable piece of this landscape forever."
The 32 hectares would be a small addition to the overall 7,741-hectare park.
But, the 32 hectares is considered a critical piece of the puzzle to complete the park because it currently privately owned and surrounded by public park on all sides.
Myra-Bellevue covers a swath of mountainous terrain, Myra Canyon, historic forest, sub-apline meadow and wildlife habitat in East Kelowna.
The park trailheads at Stewart Road and Myra Station lead to 100 kilometres of trails for walking, hiking, cycling, horseback riding, wildlife watching and sightseeing.
The former route of the Kettle Valley Railway runs through Myra Canyon, featuring trestles that span deep gorges and are popular with hikers and cyclists seeking time outdoors and jaw-dropping views.
The 32 hectares at the heart of the fundraiser escaped the 2003 Okanagan Mountain Park wildfire and as such has become a critical wildlife corridor for deer, elk, moose, black bear, cougar, lynx and the endangered American badger.
Priest Creek also runs through it making it an essential water source for wildlife.
The $800,000 public fundraiser was launched this week and has so far only attracted $37,000 in donations.
So, it has a long way to go before the Aug. 14 deadline.
"Every generation has the chance to shape the future of the places they love," said Day.
"This is one of those moments."
