Kevan Bracewell’s family has been involved in the conservation of the environment since 1918 with prediction management. Gerry was involved in Mountain Goat transplants in the 1970’s and she has worked together with loggers to improve Mule deer and moose Winter habitat in the Tatlayoko Valley.
The family ranch at Tatlayoko Lake is now part of the Nature Conservancy of Canada. The Bracewell family ranch had its beginning in 1918 when KB Moore started his ranching business on the 939 Circle X Ranch at the north end of Tatlayoko Lake. In 1940 Gerry Bracewell moved to the Circle X Ranch to work for KB Moore and learn more about ranching. She quickly became part of the family and stayed with KB until he passed away in 1954. After KB’s passing, Gerry and her husband Alf Bracewell took over the ranch. With their four children, they continued running the Circle X Ranch until 1976.
Situated between the coastal Great Bear Rainforest and the Fraser River, the Circle X Ranch is a keystone property for nature conservation in that area. In recognition of the important role that the Ranch plays in supporting the local wildlife, the Ranch was sold to the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). The property has immense wildlife value as it is frequently visited by cougars and Grizzly bears who take advantage of the abundant flora and well protected habitats in the area. Mountain goats are located around the cliffs above the property and wolves can be heard and seen regularly. Another biologically important component of the ranch is the Homathko River which winds through the property. It creates a wetland area, which is significant for migratory songbirds and waterfowl that use the ranch as a staging area. In regards to flora, the ranch has the best remaining stand of old-growth Douglas-fir in British Columbia. Growing up on the Tatlayoko family ranch, Kevan was exposed to the importance of creating and protecting natural areas for wildlife. It was this early introduction to conservation along side the positive influence from his mother that encouraged Kevan to play an active role in promoting nature welfare throughout his various business pursuits.