In September, the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) announced that a conditional Contract of Purchase and Sale (CPS) with Mosaic Forest Management had been signed for approximately 360 hectares (ha) of land known as Hamilton Marsh. An offer of $30 million was accepted, with the sale anticipated to be completed by March 31, 2026, should all conditions of the CPS be met. The conditions to acquire the lands as regional parkland and conservation area include the RDN securing a minimum of $7.5 million in funding through other partners.
On November 18, 2025, the RDN Board approved the release of the buyer’s condition that ‘satisfactory partner agreements for fundraising’ be completed by November 21, 2025. Agreements in place include a contribution agreement with Nanaimo & Area Land Trust (NALT) and memorandums of understanding with Mt. Arrowsmith Biosphere Region (MABR) and Hamilton Wetlands and Forest Preservation Society. The public can donate to NALT or pledge funds to MABR in support of their fundraising campaigns.