Autumn 2004 Acorn Newsletter - Salt Spring Island Conservancy

AcorntheThe Newsletter of the Salt Spring Island Conservancy Number 27, Autumn 2004

http://saltspring.gulfislands.com/conservancy

The Precautionary Principle

Featured Artist: Heather Pottinger

Continued on page 9

- Peter LambOne of the general objectives of our Official Community

Plan is “To adopt a principle of precaution in assessing those activities that could create impacts.” It is time to give some meaning to this objective.

The Precautionary Principle was defined in a document developed at the Wingspread Conference in Racine, Wisconsin, in 1998. The conference was attended by an international group of scientists, government officials, lawyers, and labour and grassroots environmental activists. Its purpose was to formalize and make more explicit the precautionary c o n c e p t adopted by the United Nations in 1992 in its “Agenda 21”.

T h e Precautionary P r i n c i p l e asserts that, before using a new technology, process, or chemical, or starting a new activity, there is a duty to take anticipatory action to prevent harm. It also declares that the responsibility for proof of harmlessness is on the proponent, rather than the public.

It has been reported that over 1000 applications of the Principle can be found around the world and one good example is the City of San Francisco where it has been formally adopted as a city ordinance. It states:

1. Anticipatory Action: There is a duty to take anticipatory action to prevent harm. Government, business, and community groups, as well as the general public, share this responsibility.

2. Right to Know: The community has a right to know complete and accurate information on potential human health and environmental impacts associated with the selection of products, services, operations, or plans. The burden to supply this information lies with the proponent, not with the general public.

3. Alternatives Assessment: An obligation exists to examine a full range of alternatives and select the alternative with the least potentially harmful impact on human health and the environment, including the alternative of doing nothing.

4. Full Cost Accounting: When e v a l u a t i n g p o t e n t i a l a l ternat ives , there is a duty to consider all the reasonably f o r e s e e a b l e c o s t s , including raw m a t e r i a l s ,

manufacturing, transportation, use, cleanup, eventual disposal, and health, even if such costs are not reflected in the initial price. Short- and long-term benefits and time thresholds should be considered when making decisions.

5. Participatory Decision Process: Decisions applying the Precautionary Principle must be transparent, participatory, and informed by the best available

Fulford Boats

Inside:President’s Page..............2Board Update.................2Annual Appeal................2Director’s Desk...............3Upcoming Events............3Channel Ridge Update....4 EAC Update....................4Stewardship 2004...........5Stewards in Training........6Scotch Broom Clearing....6AVNR Tours....................7Scotch Broom Debate.....8New Bateman Cards.......9Thank-you!..................9Maturing & Mattering...10National Trust..............11One Tonne Challenge....12Tod Butler.....................12Unexpected Fruit..........13Western Trillium...........14Sonnet Contest.............14Featured Artist..............15

2 The Acorn - Newsletter of the Salt Spring Island Conservancy

A New ApproachPresident’s Page

Board Update

- Peter LambOur Island is being promoted nationally and

internationally as a tourist destination and a desirable place to live. Inevitably, we are being overwhelmed by pressures to grow and provide more amenities, prompted by a high rate of return on investments for private developers. But should our island community be held hostage to those who are primarily motivated by fi nancial gain or should we be making every effort to “preserve and protect” our natural environment as originally considered when the Islands Trust was established 30 years ago?

We have an Offi cial Community Plan that refl ects the Island we want but we have placed an enormous burden on our elected offi cials to manage development pressures. Three ideas are worth considering to mediate these pressures on our natural environment and the health of our community.

1. Let’s slow down the Trust process of considering development applications for rezoning, sub-division, variances and development permits. Quotas were established on such applications about 10 years ago when the Trust planning staff were revising the Offi cial Community Plan. This would relieve the pressure

on staff and Trustees and allow more opportunity for full examination of each application.

2. The Local Trust Committee, in cooperation with the CRD Director, should adopt Precautionary Principle By-Laws that will place environmental and public health concerns fi rst. Such By-Laws would reinforce our OCP by requiring assessment of alternatives, place the burden of proof of safe impacts on applicants and allow public participation in the decision-making process. (See the article in this issue).

3. While we applaud the decision of the Trustees to establish an Environmental Advisory Committee, we believe that it must consist of qualifi ed individuals and that the Committee be involved at the outset so that ecological issues and concerns be addressed before development plans are made.

All of these ideas would provide opportunities to avoid or signifi cantly mitigate any possible damage to the Island’s natural environment and

public health. It would also put private developers on notice that the burden of proof of harmlessness of a proposed activity is their total responsibility.

A summary of major items recently discussed by the Board:

- 2004 Stewardship Program: grants approved.- Crown Lands: strategy to protect SSI parcels.- Channel Ridge: environmental concerns- Environmental Advisory Committee: terms of reference.- Fundraising: planned donation program- Natural Area Protection Tax Exemption Program- B & B Ganges Marina: proposed development- LTA Standards and Practices

The Board now consists of President Peter Lamb, Vice-President Maureen Bendick, Tresurer Samantha Beare, Secretary Rachel Ogis, Nigel Denyer, Charles Dorworth, Jean Gelwicks, Linda Quiring, Ruth Tarasoff, Brian Smallshaw, Bob Weeden and Doug Wilkins.

The Conservancy sent its annual appeal letter to members and friends not long ago. We hope you got yours.

The yearly appeal is hugely important in balancing our budget. Since our fi rst one in 2000, the appeals have accounted for 15 to 20% of our annual operating income.

Please be as generous as you can be when you answer our appeal. (To those clear-the-desk-quickly types who have donated already, our thanks!) Except for land acquisitions funded by special campaigns, and education events supported by donations at the door, our programs and administration/support services depend heavily on your gifts.

Annual Appeal is “Out There”

Fulford

3Autumn 2004

Director’s Desk

Conservancy Celebrates 10 Years of Conservantion-Karen Hudson, Executive Director“Ten Years Naturally” was a celebratory weekend

of events in late May honouring the Salt Spring Island Conservancy’s (SSIC) decade of working to preserve and enhance natural values on Salt Spring Island. In the past 10 years, the Conservancy has educated thousands of islanders about good stewardship practices, completed five conservation covenants, established two nature reserves on Salt Spring, and has been a major contributor to the purchases of over 2600 acres of lands for protective management by government and non-profit agencies.

On Saturday, May 29th at Meaden Hall, the Conservancy hosted an event which included a look at the Conservancy’s history including honouring the organization’s founders, a dinner with celebrity waiters, a Robert Bateman slideshow, a live and silent auction, a cake-cutting by the founders, and live music by local band Synergy. Bob Weeden kicked off the evening by honouring the Conservancy’s seven founders: Maureen Milburn, Fiona Flook, Ailsa Pearse, Nancy Braithwaite, Mallory Pred, Heather Martin and Ann Richardson, for their work in forming the Conservancy and their dedication to island conservation over the last decade. The seven women were given framed photographs donated by Conservancy member Birgit Bateman. The snowy arbutus photograph is one of two images, which go on sale September 18th at this year’s fall fair. These striking cards can be viewed on the Conservancy website and are available for purchase at the fair, the office, and by mail order.

Internationally famous artist and Conservancy member Robert Bateman shared his passion and knowledge about the environment through a travel and art slideshow entitled “Making Pleasing Places” never seen before on Salt Spring. The evening closed with an entertaining live auction by local entertainer Arvid Chalmers who showcased the best of 75 auction items donated by many of the Conservancy’s 500 members including holiday packages on SSI, Mayne Island & TLC’s Sooke cottage, kayaking, art, antiques, Garry oak trees, helicopter and float plane rides, and a crew to cut broom for a full day. The Conservancy also auctioned off 50 items during a daylong silent auction. Over $12,000 was raised to fund ongoing Conservancy programs.

On May 30th, the Conservancy highlighted the dedication of some of its members in stewarding their land with a Tour to Pleasing Places, a self-guided tour to five magical island properties that included two gardens featured in the May issue of Canadian Gardening magazine. There were also afternoon guided hikes to the Mill Farm Reserve and to the Mount Maxwell lake watershed.

Thank you to all of the volunteers, members, and donors who contributed to the outstanding success of this event. Here’s to another great ten years naturally!

UPCOMING CONSERVANCY EVENTSSeptember 3rd (Friday): National Trust of England - Slide Show by Laurence Harwood who has worked for the National Trust for 38 years and was awarded the Order of British Empire for service to Conservation. 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm (doors open at 6:30). Lions Hall. By donation.

October 1st (Friday): Sharp-tailed Snakes on Salt Spring – Slide Show by Christian Engelstoft, scientific advisor to the sharp-tailed Snake Recovery Team. Learn how to identify these rare snakes and why it is important to do so. 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm). Lions Hall. This event is FREE and sponsored by the Conservancy’s Stewardship Project 2004.

October 4th (Monday): CBC Entertainer Todd Butler. “Guaranteed to entertain with a stunning combination of musical parody, whimsical wit, outstanding musicianship, and outrageous political satire.” Co-sponsored by the Salt Spring Folk Club. 7:30 pm start at Fulford Hall. Doors open at 6:30 for season ticket holders. Tickets available on September 7th for season ticket holder and Sept. 20th for single tickets at Acoustic Planet, Salt Spring Island Books, Stuff and Nonsense and at the Folk Club booth at the Fall Fair for $15.

October 24th (Sunday): Mushrooms of Salt Spring – Slide Show by Rob Countess. Rob is an expert at mushroom identification and has an excellent knowledge of Vancouver Island ecosystems. 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm (doors open at 7:00 pm). Lions Hall. By donation.October 25th (Monday): Mushroom Walk with Rob Countess. 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Limited space so please pre-register by calling 538-0318. $20.October 26th (Tuesday): Mushroom Cultivation Workshop with Rob Countess. Learn all the steps to growing your own mushrooms. 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Limited space of 12. Pre-register by calling 538-0318. Cost is $80 for this one of a kind workshop.

November 19 (Friday): Rare Plants and Ecosystems of Salt Spring – Slide Show by Dr. Terry McIntosh, who is an entertaining as he is knowledgeable and passionate about the unique plants growing here. 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm (doors open at 6:30). Lions Hall. This event is FREE and sponsored by the Conservancy’s Stewardship Project. November 20th (Saturday): Mt. Maxwell Ecological Reserve Exploration Walk. Join Terry from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm for a rare chance to explore this area. Space is limited so please pre-register at 538-0318.

January 15th (Saturday): Bugs – The Good, the Bad and the Beautiful – Slide Show by Linda Gilkeson. Linda has co-authored three books on organic pest management and has a regular column in Gardening Life. Linda lives and gardens on Salt Spring. 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Lions Hall.


Pots at Hastings House

Conservancy Interests

Channel Ridge Update- Peter LambAt the Local Trust Committee on June 30,2004 the

Trustees agreed to the terms of a Master Development Permit and Phase One Development Permit for the proposed Channel Ridge Village, both with a significant number of prior conditions to be met. Unfortunately, because of a flaw in our Official Community Plan, environmental protection of sensitive areas cannot be levied as a condition. So, we will be relying on the owner, Channel Ridge Properties (“CRP”), to undertake recommended environmental protection and restoration action.

In the meantime, about 60 acres of land for all three phases of the proposed Channel Ridge Village development have been cleared and the Conservancy has recommended measures for the preservation and protection of key ecological features. We have also been very critical of the CRP consultant’s recommendations for vegetation management and reclamation.

In spite of this, the Conservancy’s prime interest continues to be the long-term protection of the approximately 800 acres of remaining, undeveloped lands to the north and west of the Village site. A 1986 Restrictive Covenant on all of the Channel Ridge lands imposes a residential density cap of 577 dwelling units. We were encouraged that CRP agreed to locate the remaining 405 allowable residential units in the Village which would leave the rest of the land predominantly in its natural state. The owner also agreed to provide public access to trails within the Village and on the balance of their lands.

However, we now understand that CRP has requested

- Peter LambAt its June 30th meeting, the Local Trust Committee

agreed to establish an Environmental Advisory Committee and tabled proposed terms of reference. In response to advertisements in the Driftwood, five applications for membership of this Committee have been received by the Trust and the Trustees will be considering the applications and mandate of the Committee probably at their September LTC meeting.

The Conservancy commended the Trust for its agreement to establish this Committee but raised concerns over its proposed structure, role and membership qualifications.

1. We asked the Trustees to reconsider the mandate of the Committee to include studies of areas of concern, review of the OCP and Land Use By-Law provisions with recommended changes, a review of zoning in sensitive areas and the ability to request environmental impact studies from applicants.

that the Restrictive Covenant be amended to allow additional densities to be built on the “800 acres”. This increased development potential with its extensive tree clearing for house sites, roads and services would have a dramatic impact on the natural environment of the Ridge. We hope that all parties to the Covenant will resist any attempt by CRP to develop the remaining lands and severely impact sensitive environmental areas. Surely another 405 homes and 80,000 sq.ft. of commercial space in the Village is enough!

2. In order for the Committee to provide timely input into the development process, we recommended that the Committee be involved at the outset of any application so that key environmental information and concerns be provided to the applicant before development plans are made.

3. On the issue of membership qualifications, we stressed that all members of this Committee must have environmental science training. Also, that the Committee should have access to an Environmental Scientists Registry, as proposed by Nina Raginsky, for informed advice on specific issues.

We believe that the establishment of this Committee is an opportunity for the Trust and planning staff to obtain timely and well-informed advice on important environmental issues and strengthen the ability of the Trustees to “preserve and protect”.

Environmental Advisory Committee

Wild Rose head

5Autumn 2004


Stewardship Project 2004: Caring for Species at Risk-Karen Hudson

The Salt Spring Island Conservancy (SSIC) received grants totalling $50,000 this year from the Bullitt Foundation, Canadian Wildlife Service Habitat Stewardship Program, Salt Spring Island Foundation, Habitat Conservation Trust Fund, CRD Grant-In-Aid, and the Islands Trust for the purpose of educating Salt Spring Islanders about land stewardship. This project is modeled on the Conservancy’s successful South and West Salt Spring Island Stewardship Project completed in 2000.

The 2004 Stewardship Project is focusing on stewardship of our most fragile species and ecosystems – species at risk (SAR) and Garry oak and associated ecosystems. The initial phase of the project consisted of gathering information from various organizations and recovery teams about known occurrences of SAR on SSI. Several occurrences had not been verified for several years, so spring work consisted of verifying the continued existence of the species in question. The project is targeting five COSEWIC listed species, the sharp-tailed snake (Contia tenuis), the yellow Montane violet (Viola praemorsa ssp. praemorsa), Macoun’s meadowfoam (Limnanthes macounii), phantom orchid (Cephalanthera austiniae), and the Dun skipper (Euphyes vestries) as well as SAR occurring in Garry Oak and associated ecosystems. The exceptional early dryness of 2004 made it challenging to follow up on occurrences of several of the early flowering species associated with Garry Oak ecosystems. The Dun skipper was sighted this spring by several avid butterfly watchers on SSI, but we have yet to capture it on film. While we know it is here, there is still no official record for the species on the island.

In order to communicate with our members and landowners about stewardship of SAR, we educated our staff and volunteers first. We collected reference materials and resources from our partners including the Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team (GOERT), the Sharp-tailed Snake Recovery

Team and biologists from the BC Biodiversity Branch. It has been rewarding to work together with these partners to achieve common education, stewardship and conservation goals. Gathering as much information as possible about the

SAR found on SSI, such as when the occurrences were last verified, who owns the land and what the stewardship options are for each site is adding a new dimension to our ability to prioritize areas for conservation.

Much of the work of the SSI Covenant Committee over the last 4 years has been based on contacts made during the 2000 Stewardship Project. While covenants by their nature proceed slowly, we have found that the personal contact and relationships established with members

and landholders during the stewardship projects have been critical to our ability to facilitate long-term conservation. The combination of public education events, outreach through letters, mailings and publicity to offer landholders a site visit with conservancy biologists has been very successful. Walking the land together highlights our shared love of the land, whether it is during a guided walk through one of our

protected sensitive ecosystems on SSI, or on private land in the company of the owners.

The Salt Spring Island Conservancy would like to hear from landholders on Salt Spring and nearby islets who have land containing Garry oak trees and Species at Risk including sharp-tailed snakes, western bluebirds, yellow montane violets, phantom orchids, and dun skippers. If you have Garry oaks on your land or suspect you may have one of these plants or wildlife, please contact Robin Annschild or Karen Hudson at [email protected] or 538-0318.

Robin Annschild leading a group. Photo Courtesy C. Dorworth

Cephalanthera austiniae, phantom orchid. Photo Courtesy Robin Annschild

mailto:[email protected]



Stewards in Training ’To Love the Land is to Care for the Land’

-Kate LeslieVolunteers of this spring’s successful school program

fully lived up to the Conservancy’s motto ‘To Love the Land is To Care for the Land’. In total, over 800 hours were volunteered to the Stewards in Training Program!

The pilot project took eight grade 6/7 classes for full day field trips to the Andreas Vogt Nature Reserve--over 200 students participated and were introduced to stewardship concepts and to a very special Salt Spring place. The program was funded by TD Bank Friends of the Environment.

The students participating in the field trip benefited from small group work and lots of one-on-one attention. Opportunities for individual work and reflection enabled each student to make a personal connection with the Andreas Vogt Nature Reserve. This would not have been possible were it not for the tremendous volunteer response that the Conservancy received from its members and from the community. Thirty-nine volunteers acted as leaders and instructors of the program, with each volunteer contributing a minimum of five hours

Before heading up to the reserve, students received an in-class orientation slide show preparing them for their trip. Once there the students rotated in small groups through four activity stations: 1) plant identification with a dichotomous key 2) wildlife tree assessment 3) survey plots 4) invasive species removal. They also learned about the nature reserve regulations, and about the importance of Garry oak ecosystems. In the classroom, students researched and prepared plant identification signs that they later placed next to ‘their’ plant while on the reserve site. A number of

these signs were kept on the reserve during the summer and became an important part of the Sunday guided field trips that the Conservancy hosted. Students also contributed positively to the Andreas Vogt site by removing large quantities of invasive Scotch broom.

Teacher, volunteer and student feedback from the pilot Stewards in Training Program was overwhelmingly positive. Needless to say, the Conservancy is looking forward to running a sequel to the program in the near future.

From its inception, Jean Gelwicks was a dynamic light behind this project. Peter Lamb, Andrea LeBorgne and Yvette Ruesen were also invaluable pillars for virtually all of the programs.

A heart-felt thank you to all the volunteer leaders, including:

Akiko, Ailsa Pearse, Andrea LeBorgne, Blake Richards, Brian Smallshaw, Bristol Foster, Charles Dorworth, Christine Tate, Cordula Vogt, Daphne Taylor, David Denning, Debbie McGovern, Deborah Miller, Donald Gunn, Donna McWhirter, Glenda Kaiser, Heidi Cowen, Ian Beare, Jean Burrard, Jean Gelwicks, Jean-Claude Catry, John Jefferson, Karen Hudson, Kate McEwin, Lois Sprague, Marian Hargrove, Margaret Spenser, Nancy Braithewaite, Owen Benwell, Paul Burke, Peter Lamb, Robin Annschild, Robin Ferry, Sarah Bateman, Stephane Pigeon, Terry McIntosh, Wendy Hilliard, Wendy Webb, Yvette Ruesen.

Scotch Broom Clearing Operations on SSIC Reserves-Charles Dorworth, Summer 2004The summer of 2004 gave us two of our most successful

Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius) clearing efforts on our Nature Reserves to date. The threat to native species presented by this highly intrusive imported plant was reviewed earlier (the Acorn, Nr. 26, Spring 2004, pp14-16).

Our colleague Kathy Reimer (Salmon Enhancement Society, Director) most generously offered her group of experienced broom removal folks for one-half day to clear

broom at the Manzanita Ridge Nature Reserve (MRNR) on Mt. Erskin. This effort had been identified earlier as a high-priority requirement in the MRNR Management Plan prepared for SSIC by Robin Annschild. The Hairy Manzanita (Arctostaphylos columbiana) on the reserve were considered to be endangered because of the rapid and intrusive extension of broom colonies on the site which both species inhabit. Insufficient funds remained in the SSIC Restoration and Management budget to fund such an effort this year and we

Jean Gelwicks leads a group of volunteers. Photo Courtesy Charles Dorworth

Continued on page 7

7Autumn 2004


- Andrea Le BorgneThis summer the Salt Spring Island Conservancy

provided an opportunity for tourists and islanders to experience the flora and fauna of the Andreas Vogt Nature Reserve. Weekly guided walks were lead by SSIC Education Committee Volunteer Andrea Le Borgne from late June through August.

In addition to enjoying spectacular vistas over Fulford Harbour and towards Mount Maxwell around 40 participants learned about the endangered Garry oak ecosystem, various native plants found on the reserve and their use by First Nations people, wildlife trees, land stewardship and Emily’s herbivore study.

“People were awestruck by the spectacular beauty of the Reserve. They thought it was an amazing gift from Cordula & Oda. They were also very impressed with the plant identification signs prepared by the grade 6/7 classes as part of the Stewards in Training program this spring.” - Andrea Le Borgne, SSIC Volunteer

The Andreas Vogt Nature Reserve is open to the public for hiking. Please observe the Trail Rules. A

AVNR Guided Walks with “Garry O.” & Friends!detailed map of the reserve can be found in the previous edition of The Acorn.

PS. Special thanks to Kate Leslie for guiding one of the walks in July!

Check out this edition of the Acorn for more upcoming Education Committee events!

most appreciate Kathy’s kind and valuable support. Secondly, the Middle School students who participated

in the school tours on the Andreas Vogt Nature Reserve under the auspices of the SSIC Education Committee, under the direction of Kate Leslie were given a talk on invasive introduced species and handed weapons of mass destruction (the only ones noted to date) to try their hands at broom removal. Much to everyone’s delight, these students not only co-operated but even cleared some areas entirely of broom. Their energy was extraordinary and what was planned purely as an educational, hands-on activity yielded splendid results. Three cheers then for our Education Committee and for our conservation colleagues in the Middle School!

NO, THE JOB IS NOT COMPLETE. Members are encouraged to hike both reserves with a pruning saw or clippers in hand and spend as little as 10 minutes per hike clearing broom. As we said in the last Acorn, springtime after flowering but before seed maturation is the best time to sever broom plants at the base with minimal occurrence of resprouting. As our Champion of the Broom (clearing, not riding) Brian Smallwood said, the best time to clear broom is when you find it. The job is simply too big for the limited period between flowering and seed cast. WE’LL SEE YOU AT THE NEXT SSIC BROOM BASH!!!!!!!!!

Scotch Broom ClearingContinued from page 6

Andrea Le Borgne leads a tour on AVNRPhoto Courtesy Andrea Le Borgne

Above: Scotch Broom, cut and piled by Middle School students. Below: Hairy Manzanita & Scotch Broom piles by

Salmon Enhancement Society. Photos Courtesy Charles Dorworth


Natural History

Scotch Broom – To Cut or to Pull- Brian SmallshawCharles Dorworth’s article on broom in the last edition

of The Acorn contained a great deal of good information about reducing this menace to our wild spaces here on Saltspring by a person obviously passionate.

However, having worked for the last ten years in my neighbourhood on Beaver Point at trying to turn the tide against broom , I have come to some different conclusions on the best ways to remove this pest. Charles suggests that ideally small plants should be pulled and larger plants should be cut off at ground level (while emphasizing that this is a recommendation). He points out the need to minimize soil disturbance that provides an opportunity for seeds in the soil to germinate.

As logical as this is, I believe that the practical realities of broom removal suggest that, with the exception of very, very large plants that pull up a huge square of soil (more than two feet across), pulling almost always makes more sense than cutting.

There are several reasons for this. 1. Pulling is generally a lot easier than sawing plants off, especially when using the broom pullers. Considering the immensity of the problem we are up against, we should use our energies to remove the most plants with the least effort. It is much, much better to clear the whole field of plants in a less-than-optimum way, than to clear half the field perfectly. The remaining plants in the half-cleared field will continue to reseed the field.

Although cutting plants at ground level is usually enough to kill the plant, this often requires that a number of branches be cut to reach the main stem: a half a dozen or more cuts to remove a single plant. For this time and energy investment a dozen plants could be pulled with the same effort. Cutting the plant off at any point higher than ground level is almost pointless as the plant almost always grows back after this kind of pruning. I only do this when I have no way to properly cut or pull the plant, and w a n t to prevent it seeding before I get b a c k to it with the

proper tools to remove it.

2. It is true that pulling plants

often creates more openings in the soil cover for seeds to germinate. However, no matter how you choose to remove broom, seeds will germinate and new plants will be appearing in the areas that have been cleared. Truly clearing an area requires going back season after season to remove the thousands of seedlings that inevitably appear.

The essential ingredient for successful broom removal is PERSISTENCE. I first cleared the highest knoll on my own property ten years ago; it was completely covered in very large broom plants. A decade later there are still plants coming up - about two dozen a year - and had I stopped pulling up the tiny seedlings at any point during that period, there would have been flowering plants back on the knoll within the year .

3. Though Charles does not, some people have suggested that broom should only be pulled in the wet season, and cut in the dry. While it is certainly much easier to get them out of the ground in winter, I believe that even in the dry season it often makes sense to pull. First of all, given the hugeness of the problem, limiting our season doesn’t make sense. Secondly, even in the dry season plants can often be pulled without opening up a large hole in the ground cover. While pulling on the dry slopes of the AVNR in early May, lots of the plants were still coming out cleanly, though it took a bigger tug to get them out of the ground. In addition, with a bit of care, the soil can be replaced and tamped back into the hole with your boot to effectively ‘heal’ the wound.

Last May I helped lead groups of school kids visiting the AVNR as part of the Conservancy’s “Stewards in Training”program, telling them about invasive species and working with them to remove broom. It was absolutely inspiring! Though each group had only about half an hour, the huge piles of broom that they could remove in that short period of time was astonishing! It led me to consider what positive effects could be achieved, both educationally and environmentally, if individual classes ‘took charge’ of specific sections of the AVNR to monitor and control invasive species. Such a stewardship program ideally would run over the several years they are together as they move through a school, so they could see the progress of their work over a period of time and many visits. This would help to teach them that stewardship requires taking responsibility for an area, and that it is a long-term thing.

Most importantly, I think it is important to demonstrate to children (and the people of Saltspring as a whole) that while we may never eliminate broom from our island, localized control is, in fact, possible. As Charles says, Yes! We can control broom. Just pull, er, do it!

Greenspring Farm

9Autumn 2004


The Salt Spring Island Conservancy is pleased to announce the launch of a new set of original photos cards by Birgit Freybe Bateman which will make their first appearance at the Salt Spring Island Fall Fair. This local photographer gives us new opportunities to appreciate the beauty around us in her images entitled Snowy Arbutus and Cattails at Ford Lake. These cards join the cards launched last year entitled Chocolate Lily, Arbutus Bark, and Mt. Maxwell Sunset. The Salt Spring Island Conservancy is raising funds from the sale of these cards to continue to protect special features of Salt Spring. The dramatic and colourful photos displayed on the cards reflect the beauty of Salt Spring’s natural world that the Conservancy has been dedicated to preserving for over a decade. Visitors to the Fall Fair can find the photo cards at the SSI Conservancy fall fair booth near the main display building. The cards can be purchased individually, as a set of two, or as a set of four with two

Conservancy Launches New Bateman Cards at Fall Fairother cards. After the Fair, the cards will be available at the Conservancy office in the Upper Ganges Centre building, Treehouse South, and at Conservancy educational events

throughout the year.In addition to

thanking Birgit for the use of her beautiful photos, the Salt Spring Island Conservancy would like to thank Birgit for her extremely generous donation of producing and printing this new set of cards and envelopes. To purchase cards or to support the Conservancy through the sale of these cards, please call the Conservancy office at 538-0318.

A huge thank-you to all of the volunteers who sold raffle tickets and helped spread the word about the Conservancy at the Saturday market in the park this summer including Joan & John Dickenson, Janet Crosbie, Bob Weeden, Maureen Milburn, Ted Harrison, Nancy Braithwaite, Nancy Holcroft, Gillian Kidd, Ruth Tarasoff, Jean Gelwicks, Samantha & Ian Beare, Charles Dorworth, Irene Wright, Peter Lamb, Margaret Haines, Diana Setterfield, Linda Quiring, Nora Layard, Elizabeth White, Anna Kraulis, Maureen Bendick, Bob & Judy Cooke, Sharon McCullough, Nancy Van Patten, Brian Smallshaw, Doug Wilkins, Ann Richardson, Ailsa Pearse, Ian Mitchell, Andrea Rankin, Maggie Ziegler, Katherine Atkins, Donna de Haan, Judi Stevensen, George & Nancy Slain, Robin Ferry, Andrea LeBorgne, Maureen Moore, Karen Hudson, Nina & Nigel Denyer, Erna Robertson & Victoria Olchowecki.

Thanks also to James Falcon for getting up at the dawn to save our spot and to Ruth Tarasoff for managing all of the tickets again this year.

Thank-You!information.The Precautionary Principle is not inconsistent with the

need for economic development. Rather, it reminds those responsible for planning in our community of the broader aspects of proposed developments. It forces them to ask more questions about what is proposed and why, what alternatives are available and what the consequences will be. The public has a right to have this information since it is the public that bears the ecological and health consequences of any development.

The Precautionary Principle is clearly fundamental to the Islands Trust “preserve and protect” mandate. Surely the Principle needs to be more formally incorporated into the decision-making process of both the Trust and the CRD.

Precautionary PrincipleContinued from page 1

Cattails at Ford Lake

Snowy Arbutus

Wild Rose Petal

See You at the Fall FairStop by the Conservancy booth at the Fall Fair September

18-19th to purchase Bateman Cards and raffle tickets, get information on rare SSI species or just to say “Hi!”.


Maturing and MatteringEnvironmental Policy

- Bob WeedenOur “Big 10th” party was a vigorous story exchange

among founders, longtime members and newcomers. Listening to the tales made me reflect: “What hath we wrought?”

It’s apparent to all of us that we have found constituencies for our core programs. The five campaigns we’ve conducted, to buy land ourselves or to help conservation agencies secure land for habitat preserves, have shown that reasonably-spaced projects to garner donations on the order of $10,000 - $100,000 can succeed. Three grant-funded programs to contact landowners - including 2004 work as reported in this Acorn - have shone a light on a good supply of landowners eager to learn about and to protect interesting natural features on their holdings. Some consider permanent protective covenants, and we’ve successfully concluded several of these drawn-out negotiations. And finally, the Island is “bustin’ out all over” with folks who love our education programs. When we offered our first public workshop in April ‘97 and our first members’ evening program in March ‘98, I doubt that anyone predicted how popular they would become. This spring, Jean Gelwicks and Kate Leslie opened the door to another nature-ed constituency with their offering for middle-school youngsters (see “Stewards in Training” on page 6 of this issue).

All of these folks have enough belief in what we do, and trust in our ability to do it well, to donate a substantial share of our operating budget each year. That’s significant. Anyone who has volunteered for a non-profit group knows that raising money to do good works is a lot easier than raising funds to keep an organization going.

I think we deserve that trust. We have a working board that skillfully plans and energetically carries out programs that serve members and the general community. The board knows and follows the rules of good governance. Standing committees comprised of directors and non-director members actually do the main work of the Conservancy. We meet provincial and federal operating and reporting requirements. We keep good financial records electronically, generate regular status reports, and pay attention to budgeting. Fundraising is always hard; we have no professional fundraisers. Still,

directors and the executive director have done a great job. We have met the reporting and recognition requirements of granting agencies so well that we are welcomed repeat applicants.

The upshot? In ten years we have matured as well as grown.

That’s on the inside. What about our place in the community of Salt Spring Island?

The most succinct way to put it, is that we matter.Reporters cover our events and sometimes call us for a

news story. Other organizations want us as co-sponsors or as project partners - we have four partnerships on-the-go today. We receive unsolicited donations occasionally from businesses and societies. Community leaders, including Local Trust Committee members, expect our involvement, want to know what we think. As well, Conservancy members and others ask us to include their concerns on our agenda.

(Forgive an editorial aside: There is a risk that

m u l t i p l y i n g interests, interconnections and partnerships will blur our focus. We could unravel. When a new interest becomes a consistent agenda item, it is natural that committee members will be added to do it justice. Another step or two and we elect directors with that primary interest. Without premeditation or mischief, we could find ourselves with a group of directors for whom our traditional priorities are secondary. That needn’t happen unless we want it to. We always can choose between centrifugal and centripetal movement - between drawing back from new projects at the margins of our mandate, and embracing new priorities in an evolving community. A third choice may be open, too: to take on a new challenge while simultaneously helping a new organization to become capable of shouldering the work.)

The Conservancy has grown and is growing, but we have become a more mature, capable organization, too, which offsets some of the risks of growth. And we matter to the community. We and our constituencies are part of the community: are fed by it. In turn, we give back to the community and re-shape it.

Ganges Harbour

11Autumn 2004

Environmental Policy

- Jean GelwicksOur first speaker of the new “school” year is coming to

us all the way from the Lake District in England. His name is Laurence Harwood and he was with the National Trust for 36 years. He was eleven years as the Regional Director for the North West Region including Lancashire, Cumbria and the Lake District and then was appointed National Adviser on Countryside and Coastal Strategy Planning for the Trust which involved visiting all the regions of the organization in the UK to provide advise on long term planning and priorities.

In 1996 Laurence was awarded the Order of the British Empire for service to Conservation. He is a keen traveler and mountaineer. We are both honored and excited that Laurence will be the Education Committees first speaker of the year.

The National Trust was founded in England in 1895 by three far sighted individuals: Canon Rawnsley, who particularly championed the Lake District where he lived; Octavia Hill of Wisbech, who was concerned for the well being of the “lower classes”’ and Sir Robert Hunter, who was anxious to ensure that Common Land was preserved as open space for public

recreation and not developed.

The National Trust’s major task is to seek to achieve a balance between the needs of conservation and preservation and those of access, not only for our present enjoyment but also for the benefit of succeeding generations. Sound familiar? The Conservancy hopes we can learn something that will be helpful to us as British Columbia’s ONLY Trust.

National Trust of England

Slide Show & Talk

THE NATIONAL TRUST OF ENGLANDWHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THEIR

RICH EXPERIENCE?BY LAURENCE HARWOOD

The National Trust of England was founded in 1895 and has over 3 million members. Our speaker has worked for the National Trust for 38 years, was awarded the Order of the British Empire for service to Conservation and is the godson of C. S. Lewis. His talk about his Godfather, has taken him to a variety of

venues both in the UK and the USA. We are both honored and excited that Laurence will be the Education Committees first speaker of the new Conservancy Education season.

LIONS HALLSEPTEMBER 3RD, FRIDAY

7:00 PM (DOORS OPEN AT 6:30) to 9:00 PMADMISSION BY DONATION

What Can We Learn From Their Rich Experience?

Dafodil

Special Thanks!Special thanks to Tamar Griggs for the use of her

incorrectly credited photos in our Issue #25!


Environmental Policy

One Tonne Challenge-Bob WeedenNo, it isn’t a contest to gain the most weight after a year

of fast food.No, it doesn’t have to do with gas emissions after eating

fast food, either. But it is (partly) about food and (partly) about gas.

The One Tonne Challenge is Ottawa’s catchy phrase to convince you to help get Chretien (remember him?) off the hook for his Kyoto promises. Much more to the point, it is the way you can keep the Poles (North and South, that is) on ice, keep the ocean from making 3 islands of Chu’am, save a lot of interior BC forests from going to blazes, and - GET THIS!! - save your money!

How do you do it? Pick up your One Tonne Challenge kit at the Earth Festival Society’s booth at the Fall Fair, custom-tailor a suite of energy-saving actions to your own preferences, and go to it. The kit tells you how Salt Springers use energy now, what greenhouse gas emissions go along with energy uses, and the GHG reductions you, individually, can achieve. Eat food grown c l o s e to home. Put the right

amount of air in your tires (better yet, pressurize

with greenhouse gases: that will give you better

mileage and keep the gases out of the

stratosphere). Get a modern woodstove to replace that 55 gallon drum with a pipe sticking out of it, in

your kitchen. Commute to

work with helium balloons and a rudder. Cut Scotch Broom to pile around your car overnight when the dreaded Arctic Outflow brings temperatures close to freezing. Whatever it takes!

In case you’re wondering, this article is the flip side of the straight talk and practical advice experts at the EFS booth will offer when you go to the Fair.

On October 4, CBC Entertainer Todd Butler will kick off the Salt Spring Folk Club season with a Conservancy fundraiser. When Karen Hudson, Conservancy Executive Director, saw Todd perform in March at the Species at Risk Conference in Victoria, she was so impressed that she decided to invite Todd to perform on Salt Spring. A veteran folk musician, Todd captivated the crowd of over a thousand with hilarious political parodies and songs about the latest news stories with his own special twist. “I could not stop laughing” said Hudson. Many islanders may have heard the song, “Ferry Song 2003” on CBC radio during the ferry strike. Doors open at 6:30 for season ticket holders, 6:45 for general admission. Concert begins at 7:30pm at Fulford Hall. Tickets to this performance can be purchased as part of the Salt Spring Folk Club season tickets which will be on sale Sept. 7 and available at the Folk Club booth at the Fall Fair Sept 18 & 19. Single tickets to this event will be $15 and go on sale Sept. 20. Tickets will available at Acoustic Planet, Salt Spring Books, and Stuff & Nonsense.

For more information, see Todd’s website: http://www.toddbutler.com and the Salt Spring Folk Club website at http://www.saltspringfolkclub.ca/

CBC Entertainer Performs at Conservancy Benefit

Clematis

Oriental Lily

While two magnified musicians were winning the war against 150 conversations at our anniversary fiesta, Gloria Dorworth and I exchanged remarks about selective hearing in men. “Men,” she said, “can hear everything but wives.”

It was all very pleasant, except that she seemed rather firm. She glanced twice at her distant husband, Charles.

Aware that to look for reasons admits the allegation, nevertheless I was happy, later, to find one. It’s very simple: while men scan the plains for sabre-toothed tigers, women at their hibachis have to hear the call to run.

*Darwin, not Dorworth

CD* Explains Superior Hearing in Females

http://www.toddbutler.com

http://www.toddbutler.com

http://www.saltspringfolkclub.ca

13Autumn 2004


Unexpected Fruit-Bob WeedenWhile I thinned fruit this summer (God made little

green apples, orchardists make big red ones) my mind made like a dragonfly, darting and hovering erratically. It alighted more than once on the topic of volunteering in community groups. That was on my lumpy cerebral surface, I suspect, because of the Conservancy’s recent 10th anniversary party.

I became a Sea Scout (a wet-decked version of the Boy Scouts) in 1945, and a 4H Clubber about the same time. Since then I’ve been in a lot of citizen’s groups. In many I just paid dues and got a newsletter, essentially saying “Me, too!” to the goals of the organization. A handful, though, became enduring centering-points for my mind, heart, and energies. Those few were truly significant in my life, judging by how much time I gave and how much I enjoyed being part of them. Thinking beyond myself, I realize that almost all the folks I chat with each day or week or month; and most of the friends and relations I contact in far corners of this continent, also are active volunteers. Multiply this by the hundreds of interests different from my own, tens of thousands of groups I’ve never joined, and hundreds of thousands of communities I’ve never lived in - volunteering in citizen groups is BIG!

In fact, citizen groups are hugely important organizing forces in our culture, not as central as families but right up there with governments and businesses, as important in secular life as churches are in religious life, more significant than professional and trade unions. At their core, citizen societies (a term I offer as an improvement over the common but negative descriptors “non-profit” and “non-governmental”) give people a way to rally behind an idea and carry it forward. The ideas may be enormous (take care of Earth; foster human rights) or small (build a skateboard park; remember your Alma Mater). They may be ideas governments can’t or won’t collect taxes for, and within which there seems to be no business opportunity. They may be ideas left behind by the fickle majority, or far ahead of conventional thinking. Many are ideas incorporated into governmental agendas; the citizen societies support those programs, enrich and extend them, or act as gadflies to assure that governments don’t abandon them.

To get an inkling of the scope of citizen societies, read

the descriptions of the 160-odd groups in our community telephone directory. Consider, as you read, that a lot of nationally important groups have members here but no local telephone. Remember, too, that generally the bigger the town, the more diverse the array of societies. Citizen societies are the outlet for millions of Canadians who want to do something for others, a balance wheel in a culture often too focussed on individual

achievement and economic success, too skeptical to pay higher taxes to “let

government do it.”In these settings people

young and old learn skills basic to survival and active

community participation: articulating goals, planning, budgeting, record-keeping, marketing, fundraising,

negotiating, partnership building. Young folks also learn

the peculiarities of adult interactions in situations that don’t occur in families or schools. They are, in short, training venues for citizenship.

Another mental dart and hover under another

apple cluster: I wondered whether I was making the

different organizational forces seem too separate, too much in

opposition to each other. In truth, there is a lot of supportive interchange among them. Businesses donate daily to the projects and causes of citizen societies, and the societies do a lot of business with business. Churches partner with societies to carry good works into nearby and distant communities. Governments provide the umbrella of law and the discipline of regulation that benefit societies, and also encourage philanthropy through tax breaks. Beyond all of that, Citizen Cubbins (Bartholemew, that is: he of the 5000 hats) is at once entrepreneur or civil servant, churchgoer, professional or tradesperson, and m e m b e r o f citizen societies, carrying the skills and perspectives from one to the other like a blue orchard bee in the

May sun shine.

Apples

Ruckle House


Natural History

The Not So Sonnet

Donations of any of the following would be gratefully appreciated: Office Chairs, Digital Camera, Laptop Computer, Small Refrigerator, Telephones and GPS Unit.

Please remember to put your shopping receipt in the green Conservancy receipt box at GVM, and to say “Community Chest #58” at the check out at Thrifty’s. You can also credit

the Conservancy when you take back your bottles to the Salt Spring Refund Centre

(Bottle Depot at GVM). Every little bit helps keep our programs running!

Office Update:

Call for Submissions!You are invited to submit articles to the Acorn on

any topic, including: the Conservancy’s history, natural history, complexity articles, stewardship, and fundamental conservancy interests such as political policies, accountability and issues beyond SSI borders. If you have any ideas, write to us at [email protected] or [email protected] or PO Box 722, SSI, BC, V8K 2W3. Thanks!

Small Actions Help!

The Sonnet was not as popular as the Haiku for we only had one entry! However, it does not conform to the rules of a sonnet! We liked it anyway! It was submitted by our own Charles Dorworth! Shall we try again?

CHEEKY BUGGAR!An large animal with distinctly Asian caste and hoofs,

and an orange back blanket came gallomping into Parliament one day, up to Paul Martin, spit in his eye and said:

“Gimme a hog and Swiss on rye with sushi on the side anna sweet diesel black and white.”

Paul baby, knowing the election was neigh(!), reached to shake a hoof and said “ I certainly want you to know that I’ll give that request due consideration but, who are you my friend and brother?”

The animal said: “Should be obvious, Dude. The deli llama.”

ced

Western Trillium Lily, Trillium ovalum-Painting and article by Ling

Weston, North Beach Road, SSI May 2004

The name came from the Latin word ‘trillium’ meaning tri or three. Trillium lily is very appropriately named because all the plant parts “come in three’s”: the petals, sepals, stamens, stigmas and even leaves. It belongs to Family Liliaceae. The flowers bloom in the spring (March to May). The lily first appears pure white; then the petals turn a delicate pink and finally purple as the flower ages; lasting for almost a month. The flowers give rise to berry-like capsules containing seeds: each seed has a little oily appendage that attracts ants. Ants in foraging for food in the forest would carry the seeds back to their nests to feed their young (larvae) thus helping to disperse the seeds.

The trilliums are found in moist forests or wet woods at lower elevations. When I spot my first one on my property I kept a close watch on it for fear of it being picked by

someone. I’ve seen a few pots at Thimble farm which specializes in native plants selling at over $10.00 a pot! I have now four trilliums lilies in my garden. Our very special native trillium lily is becoming very rare due to logging, development and over-picking by people who don’t realize trillium is becoming an endangered species. Trillium lilies are now protected by law. So never pick wild flowers or dig them up.

Imagine my elation when I discovered three new trilliums on the side of the road by my neighbour’s house! I quickly rang my neighbour to tell her the good news and asked her to be these trillium’s guardian angel. So add to the other four along

the same road I now have a total count of eleven trilliums under my watchful eye. So if you spot one in your garden or property guard it well! Perserve & Protect!

Onion

15Autumn 2004

Featured Artist - Heather Pottinger

Editor and Desktop Publishing:Rachel Ogis

Board of Directors:Samantha Beare (Treasurer)Maureen Bendick (Vice-President)Rachel Ogis (Secretary)Nigel DenyerCharles DorworthJean GelwicksPeter Lamb (President)Linda QuiringBrian SmallshawRuth TarasoffDoug WilkinsBob Weeden (Past-President)

The Salt Spring IslandConservancy#203 Upper Ganges Centre, 338 Lower Ganges Rd.Mail: PO Box 722, SSI, BC V8K 2W3Office hours : Mon/Wed9 am - 12 amPhone: (250) 538-0318Fax: (250) 538-0319Email:[email protected] site:http://saltspring.gulfislands.com/conservancy

The Acorn is the newsletter of the Salt Spring Island Conservancy, a local non-profit society supporting and enabling voluntary preservation and restoration of the natural environment of Salt Spring Island and surrounding waters. We welcome your feedback and contributions, by email to [email protected] or by regular mail. Opinions expressed here are the author’s, not subject to Conservancy approval.

Membership Application

Youth (Under 16) 1 yr @ $10 _ Senior, or Low-Income: 1 yr @ $15 _ 3 yr @ $45 _Regular Single 1 yr @ $20 _ 3 yr @ $60 _Regular Family 1 yr @ $30 _ 3 yr @ $90 _Group/School 1 yr @ $30 _ 3 yr @ $90 _Business 1 yr @ $50 _ 3 yr @ $150 _

Name: ______________________________________ Address: ____________________________________ ____________________________________________ Postal Code: _______________ Phone: ______________________________________ E-mail: ______________________________________

❒ Please send me the Acorn via e-mail.

❒ This is a renewal for an existing membershipDonations In addition to my membership fee above, I have enclosed my donation in the amount of: $50 _ $100 _ $250 _ $500 _ $1000_ $2500 _ $5000 _ Other ___________ Tax reciepts will be provided for donations of $20 or more.

Volunteer Opportunities

We have a Volunteer Application Form that best describes areas you wish to help in. For now, which areas interest you? Please check off:❒ Office Work (typing, filing or computer work)❒ Information Table at Saturday Market❒ Education Programs❒ Annual Fundraising Events❒ Information Table at SSI Community Events❒ Joining a SSIC Committee (Land Restoration & Management, Fundraising, Covenants, Acquisitions, Education or Stewardship)❒ Other: _______________________

Printed on 18% recycled paper

(We NEVER give out member’s e-mail addresses to anyone!)

the Salt Spring Island

ConservancyGanges P.O. Box 722

Salt Spring Island, BC

V8K 2W3

Featured Artist

Heather has many years experience as an artist in various media. From watercolours, acrylics, oils, to china painting, floor canvases and wood carving; her work has earned numerous awards. Primarily self-taught, Heather has in recent years, taken instruction from a number of Canadian Artists such as Alan Wylie, Suzanne Northcott, Michaela Davidson, Bill Townsend, Robert McMurray, Brian Simons, Janice Robertson and Donna Baspaly.

Heather’s favourite subjects include images of nature; flowers, ferns, trees and leaves come alive with her brush strokes. She finds structures with character fascinating and she loves to challenge her skills as an artist with detail. Her work is evolving constantly – and she is an avid supporter of upgrading by taking workshops and reading books on art Her objective is to evoke remembrance of a place, a time or a feeling to involve the viewer with the painting. Heather likes to use rich bright colours with strong contrasts to create mood and feeling.

Born and brought up in Kelowna, B.C., Heather now makes her home on Salt Spring Island, and is a member of the Salt Spring Island Painter’s Guild.

Stuff & Nonsence

Documents

Autumn 2004 Acorn Newsletter - Salt Spring Island Conservancy