Dax Dasilva’s non-profit environmental organization, Age of Union Alliance, is donating $14.5 million to BC Parks Foundation as part of its $40 million pledge for the preservation of the planet.
“With these funds, we hope to preserve this land for generations to come and inspire others to take similar action both locally and around the world.”
– Dax Dasilva
The funding marks the largest donation made to BC Parks Foundation and one of the largest in the province’s conservation history, according to Age of Union. Led by founder and former Lightspeed CEO and Dax Dasilva, the Age of Union’s gift is almost four times bigger than the previous record, as reported by Vancouver Sun. Dasilva stepped down from his position to become executive chair of Lightspeed in February.
Born and raised in Vancouver, Dasilva said he has deep-rooted connections to British Columbia landscapes. In his teens, Dasilva protested the logging of old-growth forests in Clayoquot Sound.
On continuing his preservation efforts through Age of Union’s donation to BC Parks Foundation he said, “With these funds, we hope to preserve this land for generations to come and inspire others to take similar action both locally and around the world.”
Founded in 2017, BC Parks Foundation is the official charitable partner of BC Parks. The organization selects projects that align with its priorities and helps them produce or raise funding.
Part of the donation will go directly to preserving two ecosystems: Pitt River Watershed, a sanctuary for salmon, elk and other wildlife in Katzie First Nation territory; and the French Creek Estuary, a habitat for thousands of eagles and 180 other species in Qualicum and Snaw-naw-as Nation territories.
RELATED: Dax Dasilva’s Age of Union Alliance donates $4.5 million USD to Sea Shepherd
When Age of Union Alliance was created last October, the organization made a $40 million CAD pledge and promised funding for five initial projects across five countries.
For its sixth global partnership, Age of Union recently donated $4.5 million USD to Vancouver-founded marine conservation activism organization Sea Shepherd earlier this year.
A spokesperson for Age of Alliance told BetaKit that the organization has allocated 65 to 75 percent of its pledge in signed agreements.
Feature image of Kokanee Creek Provincial Park from BC Parks