To preserve and promote the essential character of Morrell Sanctuary's evolving ecosystem as a model of co-existence, and as a source of information, inspiration, awareness, and enjoyment of nature.
Before it was the Sanctuary, the land was considered expendable; logged in the 1920's, the slash was then burned. A second-growth forest grew up through the charred remains. The Vancouver Island Coal Company owned the maturing forest before the developer William Allan Morrell. According to conversations with Morrell's long time partner, Viola Savage, he had begun to place more value in conserving forests for the future than for turning a profit in the present.
In 1973 he chose to donate the land to the British Columbia Land Commission with the stipulation that it be preserved for environmental education.
The Morrell Nature Sanctuary is cared for by volunteers and managed through a non-profit society under British Columbia's Corporate Registry. The society, formed in 1984, has a Board of Directors who are elected by members of the Society.
Acquired in 1985, the sanctuary is on 111 hectares (278 acres) of land owned by The Nature Trust and managed by the Morrell Sanctuary Society for Environmental Education.
Money for the operation and maintenance of the park comes from private donations, bequests, and fees related to guided public tours, in-class presentations to students by trained interpreters, and various fund-raising activities. Morrell is a private sanctuary because it is not owned or managed by the City of Nanaimo, but it is open to the public from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm.
If you plan on bringing a private group into the Sanctuary you must book it through the office so it does not interfere with any of our paid programs and you fully understand the Sanctuary's regulations.
Thank You!
“Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.”
John Muir
The people and organizations who support the Morrell Nature Sanctuary are
Hazelwood Construction
Island Aggregates, Coastal Trucking
Herold Engineering, Extend Rentals
Stanley de Vos Fund through Nanaimo Foundation
Coastal Community Credit Union
Sawmill Direct
Colin Bartlett - Backyard Birding and Wild Nature Store
MJR Tree Services
The contributions of many private donors
We acknowledge financial assistance from the Province of British Columbia. With the generous assistance of our sponsors, Morrell Nature Sanctuary continues to provide environmental educational programs and other services to the membership and the public.
We thank you all!
Be part of our mission! Your donation to Morrell Sanctuary will help us protect and preserve this forest for future generations. We strive to be stewards of nature through trail maintenance, invasive species removal, habitat restoration, and education programs. Join us in making a meaningful impact — donate now to help us safeguard this valuable ecosystem. Thank you for your support!
