Ecology, History and Legacy
The John Osland Nature Reserve was established by the Islands Trust Fund in 2012 following the donation of the property by John Osland, a long-time resident of Lasqueti Island. The John Osland Nature Reserve is a 63.5 ha property located centrally off Lake/Centre road on Lasqueti Island. The Reserve forest is primarily Douglas-fir – Shore Pine – Arbutus woodland (Red-listed), however local valley topography results in diverse vegetation types; a large wetland occurs near the center of the site, with several small streams and seepages watering abundant moss and lichen communities along cliff faces and rocky outcrops.
The property also holds several unique or uncommon features that add to its conservation value:
- Numerous large veteran trees occur as a result of limited logging, particularly within the southern portion of the property;
- Sensitive ecosystems – woodland forests, a wetland pond, and rocky outcrops – with potential to support rare and threatened species;
- Recent transition of a wetland from a cultivated field. Continued development of wetland vegetation is expected to further enhance wildlife value; and,
- Historical value and legacy of homesteader John Osland.
John Osland acquired the property in 1948 as a homestead, and after two years of logging, he ended the contract to preserve the remaining old growth forests within the property. John resided on Lasqueti for 62 years, as an active member of the community, boat-builder, and island historian. Upon his passing in 2010, the property was donated to the Islands Trust Conservancy, as per the terms of his will. The property was certified as an Ecological Gift through Environment Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program. Volunteer efforts to restore the property to its natural state were completed in the fall of 2011, prior to the transfer of the land. Volunteers carefully removed the old homestead building and filled in drainage ditches to help restore natural drainage patterns.
The John Osland Nature Reserve: A Story of Change
The John Osland Nature Reserve: A Story of Change (2026), is a 12-minute video that tells the story of Johnny Osland’s generosity and his decision to donate the entire property that is now the John Osland Nature Reserve.
Directed and narrated by Sheila Harrington, with videography and editing by Sue Ashcroft, the film brings together the voices of Wendy Schneible and Donald Gordon to tell the story of how Johnny Osland came to donate his land for conservation, and the many changes that have taken place on the property since.
We hope you enjoy this story of conservation, community, and change. Watch below:
Donald Gordon talks about his friend John Osland
Donald Gordon was a long-time friend of John Osland. In this interview, Donald discusses John’s resilience, independence, and enduring love of nature. John had a thirst for adventure, taking his home built sailboat down the west coast before being recruited in the U.S. Navy.
John arrived on Lasqueti in 1947 and knew he had found the place he had been searching for. Over the course of many years, they walked around the property and John showed Donald all the special places he had discovered over his 64 years on the land. They talked at length about how the property might be protected and finally agreed that the Island Trust Conservancy offered the best option.
This interview was recorded in February 2026. An abridged version (3 minutes) appears in the LINC film The Johnny Osland Nature Reserve: A Story of Change.
Camera, sound and editing: Sue Ashcroft. Technical support: Rob Linschoten.
Download the interview transcript here.
Conservation Values and Management Objectives
The Osland Reserve is a unique property on Lasqueti because much of its old growth forest has been never been logged, resulting in numerous large, veteran trees throughout the property. The Reserve supports many high value ecological features, including small streams, a large wetland, rocky outcrops and moss/lichen communities. The John Osland Nature Reserve lies within the Coastal Douglas-fir moist maritime subzone (CDFmm). This biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification (BEC) subzone is represented in only 0.25% of the provincial land base and contains a significant number of rare or uncommon species and vegetation communities.
Management objectives for the Osland Nature Reserve are focused upon the following:
- To conserve and protect the ecological and natural values of the property;
- To allow natural ecological processes of the reserve to function without interference, and;
- To manage the property in accordance to Island Trusts policies, goals, and objectives.
