You are on page 1of 16

the

corn
The Newsletter of the Salt Spring Island Conservancy Number 18 September, 2001

Benefit Raises $7,700 for


Watershed
by Karen Hudson
On August 22nd, the Scottish supergroup hectares (270 acres) of Mt. Maxwell secondary
Shooglenifty performed its blend of watershed. This area, known as Rippon Creek,
traditional Gaelic and funkadelic to a sold-out had a purchase price of $645,000, the value
crowd at the Farmer’s Institute to raise without the trees.
$7,719.69 for the Mt. Maxwell lake watershed.
Tom Gossett, Salt Spring Island Water At our first and only planning meeting on
Preservation Society (SSIWPS) Director said, June 23rd, I asked Tom what his deadline was
“We saw a big cross-section of the community for raising the money they had pledged, and
and a lot of youth represented at the event. It he said August 22nd. I thought that he was
was a tremendous success.” Many joking and he confirmed that the one day
islanders have asked me how it Shooglenifty could come to Salt Spring was
Featured happened that this amazing band the deadline to purchase the secondary
artist – came all the way from Edinburgh to watershed land. When we discovered that
Howard Fry play a benefit concert for the synchronicity, we felt we had something special
watershed. Here’s the story.
continued on page 6
see page 14
Last spring, after I had been hired as
Executive Director for the
Conservancy, Erin Mullan, co-op radio Covenant Corner:
host and writer, proposed bringing
Shooglenifty to Salt Spring. Knowing we Density transfers lead to
couldn’t afford the $10,000 fee earned for one
set at the Montreal folk festival, we envisioned convenants
Inside: bringing our Scottish friends and their Celtic-
Shooglenifty........Page 1 trip-hop dance music here on a benefit basis by Charles Kahn
Covenants.............Page 1 to aid in the purchase of the Mt. Maxwell
Editorial.............Page 2 watershed. Instead of a Stump Stomp II with In addition to completing our own covenants,
City Mouse..........Page 3 more cowboy hats and boots, we began the Covenants Committee has recently been
Fundraising.......Page 8 planning an all ages dance with a Celtic asked by the Islands Trust to review any new
Time.................Page 9 theme. covenants resulting from density transfers. The
Bill C-10................Page 10 Based on the successful Stump Stomp Trust has asked the Conservancy to participate
GOERT.................Page 12 partnership with the SSIWPS, I approached as a second covenant holder in the first of
Feedback..............Page 13 Tom Gossett and asked him if his organization these new covenants.
Fry..........................Page 14 would co-sponsor the event. He quickly
agreed, and we signed a contract with the A density transfer involves downzoning one
promoter for the only available date: August property by removing a density from it,
22nd. At that time, the SSIWPS needed to putting a covenant on that property, and then
make up between $7,000- $10,000 of their transferring that density to another property.
$100,000 share of the purchase of the 110

continued on page 15

1
Editorial
Endangered Species
Alert raised as 1 million fewer now volunteer.
Headline in the Globe and Mail.

New information from Statistics Canada by just seven percent of the population. And
indicates that the country has lost that similarity is painfully apparent here on
approximately one million volunteers since Salt Spring. This core group of volunteers
1997. The total number of volunteers has shows up in several organizations, is on the
shrunk from 7.5 million to 6.5 million. The boards of several non-profits, and can usually
total number of volunteer hours has also be found hard at work whenever the need
diminished, from 1.109 billion to 1.053 billion. arises.

All this represents the equivalent of a huge job If you look at this group more carefully, you
loss for Canada’s 80,000 registered charities – will find they are an aging demographic.
a loss equivalent to 30,000 full-time workers. Meetings are filled with gray heads. And they
are not being replaced as quickly as they are
The reason given is burnout caused by
burning out. Which means fewer people are
increasing demands as governments cut back on
left to do even more work, leading to even
services and citizens are left to plug the gaps.
more burnout. A vicious circle.
Here on Salt Spring, this reduction in the
Last issue we suggested you try converting your
volunteer pool is not yet painful but it is
neighbour to an environmentally higher
becoming apparent. We all have friends and
consciousness. Now, we would like to suggest
acquaintances who are no longer active
you recruit her as fellow volunteer. That might
volunteers. It has always been hard to get
even be easier.
volunteers for consistent tasks, although when a
specific need arises, somehow the folks show up. Think of it as enlightened self-interest. A
The recent Watershed Benefit is a case in
point. Elsewhere in this issue of the Acorn, Cr eate a Ruckus
you’ll find a little subhead labeled, “The Folks At the dedication of the Garry oak preserve
Who Made It Happen.” These are the people earlier this summer, Robert Bateman noted
who heard that a benefit dance was being that “we are here because some people
planned and volunteered their time, talent, or created a ruckus.”
facilities to help bring it off. We took the Way back at the beginning of the Texada
trouble to count them. There were 150, plus massa-cree we were told by a friend in the
organizational contributors. provincial Ministry of Forests that the only way
to stop it was to “get the Minister’s attention.”
On Salt Spring, this is not an uncommon
occurrence. One of the most amazing things It appears that the folks who created the
ruckus have succeeded in getting everyone’s
about this island is the incredible generosity of
attention but the Minister of Forests.
its inhabitants. People do seem to rise to a Irrespective of which party owns him, no one
challenge, with their hearts, minds, bodies has so far figured out how to impress upon any
and, not least, their chequebooks. Forests Minister the need to limit industrial
forestry in endangered ecosystems, in
We do have the sense, however, as we have particular those within the sacred Islands in
noted before, that the numbers involved in Trust.
the overall Texada effort were small compared
What we need now are some imaginative new
to the island population as a whole. The Globe
ruckus approaches that might get the new
story goes on to support our insight. minister’s attention. We look forward to the
Apparently, according to the StatsCan data, 73 proposals with eager anticipation. A
percent of all volunteer hours are contributed
2
[No President’s Report this issue. “Not much “Wells? Oh, no, we get water out of a pipe!”
happening,” he says, “and besides, it’s summer!” Claire looked puzzled, and said to herself,
In lieu, however, he has indulged his literary bent. ‘Now, where does the pipe come from?’ Then
Accordingly, we present herewith this whimsical her frown smoothed away. “Sure. It comes
fable for your interest and enjoyment. –Ed.]
from a big reservoir miles away, a good bit
north of your village, Charles.”
C i t y Mo u s e , C o u n t ry
“Is it all downhill?” Charles asked. He
Mouse wondered how it could flow all that way.
by Bob Weeden “I don’t think so,” Claire said, “but it doesn’t
Charles the country mouse had been to the matter because big electric pumps can push it
city often. It was an old tradition for country over hills ever-so-steep.” To answer Charles’
mice. The city never lost its excitement. Mice question before he could ask, she said, “And
were so incredibly, marvelously busy there! the electricity comes from a huge power plant
down by the tanker docks.” She changed the
Yesterday, Charles’ family had picked and subject. “Where did you get this spiffy truck?”
packed tomatoes bound for market. All he she asked.
had to do today was to fill the new flatbed 4x4
with gasoline and drive away. “From the big agency at the edge of town,”
Charles answered. “I had to go to the bank
The market at the waterfront fairly hummed first, and now I’ve got to sell humongous
with trucks coming and going, and with amounts of tomatoes,” he mused, “but it sure
shoppers and tourists. Charles unloaded, is great. Practically all electronics!” He was a
thanked the market owner for her cheque, bit vain about his new truck.
and turned to start home.
The two of them sat together on the tailgate in
“Hello, Charles,” a cheery voice the sun and chatted. They talked about shows
“Country folks get called. And there was Claire the on TV, about the high cost of tractor fuel
city mouse, a second cousin, on (Charles) and organic tofu (Claire) –
so much stuff from his mother’s side and a very everything.
this city...” favourite friend.
There was a pause, both of them thinking of
“Hi, Claire. What brings you what had been said. Charles put it into words
here so early?” as best he could. “Country folks get so much
stuff from this city,” he said. “All my
“Tomatoes,” she smiled, “and some salad machinery, our clothes, TV, the newspapers,
greens. Am I glad to see you and your movies, hardware, loans, even most of our
scrumptious veggies!” food.” That last thought was startling! And
Her praise felt good. Charles liked her, but to Claire said, “But we get so much from the
be honest, she scared him sometimes. She was country, like lumber and water, great
so . . . smart! Her clothes were expensive, and recreation time, and fresh food.”
the way she chattered about web sites and And Claire and Charles said in chorus, “I’m
downloaded e-mails made his head spin. sure glad we’re friends.”
When she talked about the investment firm
she ran, he ran! They dangled their legs awhile longer. This
new picture of their world excited them.
“What’s happening in your little world?” she Charles had always thought his family was
asked. (Sometimes she made Charles feel pretty independent. His granddad and even
small, though she didn’t mean to.) Without older relations had always talked about sturdy
waiting for an answer, she told her exciting and self-reliant farm mice. Claire, for her
news. “This morning the mayor put the whole part, grew up in a place where you could do or
city on a water shortage alert,” she said, “and have anything you liked, at the drop of a
it’s such a bummer! One shower a week, a cheque book. Of course you needed money,
brick in the toilet, no car-washing. . . I don’t but money was there if you were smart.
even know if I can wash these tomatoes!”
Charles, who had water problems in dry
summers, sympathized. “It’s weird that continued on page 4
everyone’s well is dry,” he said.

3
continued from page 3 “There are strings all over the world in a huge
tangle, aren’t there?” Charles offered. And
Mouse Claire, remembering how mice all over the
world seemed angry with each other so much
In an instant this sunny morning all that of the time, said, a bit doubtfully, “Yes.”
changed. Claire began a mental game in
which she tried to figure out where all the stuff She sighed. “I do hope we can become
in the city came from. And Charles played the friends.”
game from his farm country vantage point.
And that is how Charles and Claire changed
They named more exchanges Claire and her their picture of the way the world worked.
neighbours had with the surrounding Ever after, they knew that nobody ever could
countryside, and the list was surprising. be independent again. Every country mouse
Charles almost felt frightened when he and every city mouse in the whole world could
thought of all the ways his village needed the only live if millions, billions, gazillions of
city. Then they expanded. Charles realized other mice, strangers all, worked to keep the
his family, like Claire’s, couldn’t have what system going. It was truly scary to realize that
they had or do what they did without distant almost no one knew they were part of the
hay fields and range lands, mines and system, and that practically everybody did just
reservoirs, waste disposal sites, tropical what they thought was best for themselves.
plantations, or distant patches of oceans.
(“Wow! Do I love tomatoes stuffed with tuna That new picture stayed with them, and grew.
salad!”) And Claire made an amazing list of Claire saw rich investor mice sailing million
places, all over the world, that supplied the dollar yachts, and church mice storing crumbs
things she had all around her. after communion. She said to herself, ‘Poor
Claire’s mind leaped ahead: “Our city can’t mice, having less, are really more independent
afford to build the big hospital we need. We than rich mice. That’s small consolation,
have to borrow from insurance and investment though. There really shouldn’t be poor that
firms in Capital City. And they only have the poor and rich that rich.’
money to lend if crops are good in the Prairies Charles thought, ‘How can the world stay
and there are no huge hurricanes in Florida beautiful with so many mice gnawing at it?
and if that 3-D imaging machine on a drill bit And what if all mice had as many things as
in the South China Sea finds more oil than rich mice? And what if there were twice the
others thought there was there, and . . . “ mice there are?’
City mouse and country mouse looked at each One day they were talking about all this.
other. They had never felt so excited and
scared at the same time since their first dances “Mice are so tied and tangled together,”
in high school. Charles said, “that change can only happen if
it happens everywhere at once.”
And Claire said, “But everyone won’t change
unless a few start.”
Then it hit them: They didn’t know what to
do!
They didn’t see each other for several weeks.
Claire was away at an investment convention
for awhile, and Charles’ deliveries to market
were short because he was so busy. The leaves
on the maples were turning yellow and red
when they next had a chance to chat.
“Remember how big and complicated the
world seemed,” Charles asked, “after our talk
last month? Well, the more I thought, the
smaller I felt.”

continued on page 5
4
continued from page 4

Mouse
“Me too,” said Claire. “Maybe feeling small is It was Charles’ turn to be serious. “You know,
better than feeling too big. I know an Claire, there is so much we can do. Even
investment firm whose ads tell you ‘We’ll make though our lives are built of strong habits, and
the universe and everything in it revolve even though we’ve spent so much money
around you!’ That’s gross!” fitting into the world as it now exists – like the
truck I need to take tomatoes to customers a
And Charles said, “There’s a mouse I know long way off – that some changes just aren’t
who takes up a lot of space in our village, or possible, I want to do what I can do.”
thinks he does. I don’t like bulgy mice.”
“I agree,” said Claire. “There’s also the scary
“But,” he said, “you shouldn’t feel so small you part about doing things differently from your
don’t even matter.” neighbours. Your courage will let you be only
Claire laughed, then grew serious. “There are so far out.”
a lot of changes I can make in my life. Maybe Then she had a new thought. “Our kids are
they won’t make much difference, but they’ll the ones that can pick up new ideas best, and
sure make me feel better. For instance, I think use their lives to make the world different.
I can convince my firm to offer investments in Probably nothing I can do now is more
companies that try to be responsible about fair important than thinking hard about what I’m
wages, helping communities where their teaching my kids.”
products are made, pollution, and just
generally acting decently. That’s where my “It goes round and round, doesn’t it?” asked
investments will go.” Charles. “Because what you do with your day is
what you are teaching the young ones.”
Charles piped up, “I don’t have investments,
but I do buy stuff, and I can find out whether Sitting together on the truck’s tailgate, they were
the mice that want to sell me something are quiet a minute. Overhead, a jet made a white
decent-minded the same way. And I can buy slash through the perpetual smog-smurch. At
things made closer to home, too.” their feet the night’s shower lay in oil-sheened
puddles. The city roared around them.
After a pause, Charles smiled a little. “I was
wondering whether I need to spray my Charles looked at Claire, and she at him. He
tomatoes to kill those huge green hornworms. touched her shoulder.
Maybe it would be cheaper and better to hire a
small boy with two flat rocks.” “I wonder if there is time?” he said, not expecting
an answer, or knowing one. He just hoped. A
Claire shuddered, but giggled too.

5
continued from page 1 Heather Martin and Judy Norget, featured
donations from local artists and businesses and
Shooglenifty raised $1,777. This along with food, beverage
going on here. A week later we received a and ticket sales totaled $7,719.69.
check for $300 for 15 tickets ($20 each) from
the Galiano Conservancy, and we knew that it The folks who made it possible
could be a success. [The amount of time, effort and imagination
that goes into producing an event of this kind
Two months later, despite none of the local is almost unimaginable. Below is a list of the
papers running a photograph of the band in people who volunteered to do whatever they
the paper that week, we had almost sold out by could to make it happen. Our heartfelt thanks
5pm. We had succeeded in spreading the word to them all. –Ed.]
that on August 22nd the Farmer’s Institute was
Sponsors: Members, Directors, and Volunteers
the place to be to dance, to save the
of the Salt Spring Island Conservancy & The
watershed, and, most of all, to celebrate the
Salt Spring Island Water Preservation Society,
incredible efforts by the community to protect
especially Tom Gossett & Bob Twaites.
their island from industrial logging and
development. Band: Shooglenifty: Malcolm Crosbie, James
Mackintosh, Ian MacLeod, Angus Grant, Garry
That afternoon volunteers had created a
Finlayson, & Conrad Ivitsky. Sound: Niall
watershed setting full of towering trees,
MacCauley.
hummingbirds and butterflies. Other last
minute volunteers, including the Waterworks, Venue: Barry Dunster & The Farmer’s Institute
brought in a stage, lights and sound
equipment by the truckloads. Alicia Herbert Food & Beverage Coordinator: Alicia Herbert
had organized enough vegetarian chili to feed Artist Coordination: Erin Mullan, Co-Op
250 people. Tom Gossett told me that as of Radio Host; Jensen Music International.
that day, all the pledges for the secondary
watershed land had been met, and now we Auction Coordinators: Heather Martin & Judy
were looking to raise money to purchase the Norget, Catherine Faulkner
trees, which Texada estimated at 1.2 million.
MC: David Grierson, CBC Radio Host
Shooglenifty’s folkadelic sound had the sold-
Tickets: Lightening Press, Ruth Tarasoff.
out crowd of 450 on its feet and dancing from
the first song. The atmosphere in the hall was Ticket Outlets: Salt Spring Books, Acoustic
electric – and sweaty. Dozens of volunteers Planet Music, Stuff & Nonsense, & Et cetera
sold donated food and drinks, raffle and beer
tickets. The silent auction, organized by Advertising: Gulf Islands Driftwood: Donated
ad, Island Tides: Free Calendar Notice, CBC
Radio: Announcement Aug. 21st, and Co-op
Radio, Vancouver
Food-related donations: Ganges Village
Market, Embe Bakery, Moby’s Pub,
Thrifty’s, SSI Dairy Store, Fulford Hall,
Beaver Point Hall, Ometepe Coffee.
Beer Sponsor & Special Occasion Permit:
Bob Ellison & Gulf Islands Brewery,
Bar staff: John Herbert, Charles Kahn.
Beer Tickets: Cathy & Kerry Walker, Cindy.
Door Tickets: Samantha & Ian Beare,
Sharon McCullough, Maureen Bendick.
Music: Dave Chism & One-Stop Rock Shop In
Vancouver, Marcos: Vancouver Sound Tech,

6
continued from page 4

Shooglenifty
Music Donations: Drums: Doug Rhodes, Bass Banner: Salt Spring Folk Club
Amp: Valdy Horsdal, Keyboard Amp: Susan
Parachute: SSI Co-operative Preschool
Cogan, Amp: John Foley & Community Gospel
Chapel, Sound Techs: Andrew Irving & Gary Flowers: Wave Hill Farm, Food Forest Farm,
Quiring. Stowell Lake Farm, Island Valley Farm,
Parkside Gardens & Seven Ravens Tree
Stage: Bandemonium: Vladimir Konieczny &
Nursery.
Kathy Harris, Doug Wilkins & Bob Twaites.
Lights: SSI Theatre Resources, Roger Moore. Videographer: James Falcon.
Kilt Contest Sponsors: Spindrift at Welbury
Point: 2 Tickets & Barnacle Island Journal. Food Service Volunteers: Alicia Herbert, Lisa
Law, Gail Richards, Fiona Flook, Pam Barry,
Kilt Wearers: Peter Martin, Peter Brodie, Jim Trish Herbert, Ann Richardson, Elizabeth
Ballantyne, Andrew Gardner, John Williamson Soloff, Joel Bronstein, Sue Earl, Frances Hill,
& Cliff Mills Jeanne Gray, Phil Vernon, Deborah Miller,
Gail Sjuberg, Pat Houston, Jo Yard, Nora
Billets: Rob & Zorah Wiltzen, Erin Porter &
Layard, Michelle Grant, Natalie Gold, Andrea
Jesse Fisher, Erin Mullan, Heather Martin
Rankin, Mary Ashworth.
Camping Space: Maggie Ziegler & Phil Vernon
Shoogle Food Makers:
Poster, Brochure & Flyer: Sam Lightman
Baking: Maggie Warby, Barb Venne, Irene
Postering: Stuart MacDonald, Aylwin Wright, Maggie Zeigler, Alicia Herbert, Lisa
Catchpole. Law, Ruth Tarasoff, Michelle Grant, Gail
Sjuberg, Cathy Walker, Eva Spencer, Elizabeth
Sign Boards: SS Appeal. Soloff
Drivers: The Waterworks, Bob Rush, Bob Chile: Fiona Flook, Jeanne Gray, Alicia
Twaites, Robin Annsdaughter & Mik Lovering Herbert, Lisa Law, Trish Herbert, Ruth
Band Hospitality: Blake Richards, Kathleen Tarasoff, Doug Wilkins & Sharon Glover,
and (Dad) Mooney. Samantha Beare, Maureen Bendick.

Raffle: Jim Spencer, Maggie Ziegler, Isabel, Auction Donations:


Frank & Tina Moore. Heather Martin, Ethan Marcano, Jean
Merchandise sales: Stuart MacDonald. Gelwicks, Gary Holman, B. Brett, Samantha
Beare, Bob Weeden, Karen Reiss, Harry
Emails: Sheryl Taylor-Munro & Tom Gossett. Burton, Andrea Collins, Meg Buckley, Ted
Harrison, Petra Hasenfratz, Paul Konig, North
Crew Tags: Mina Lee.
End Fitness, Garden Faire Nursery, Donna
Parking: Linda Horsdel, Cochran, Island Escapades, Celeste Mallett,
Andrew Lewis Garden Design, Jim & Eva
Set-Up Crew: Murray Reiss, Maggie Warby, Spencer, Henry Tabbers.
Aylwin Catchpole, Venu Fitzgerald, Morgyn
Beare, Tom Gossett, Maureen Bendick, Robin Any Omissions are due to human error not
Annsdaughter & Mik Lovering, Gail Richards, lack of gratitude. A
Zoë Hasenfratz, Ruth & Sam Tarasoff, Anna
Raeuber, Alicia, Linda & Carmen Herbert.
Decorations: Leanna & Gulf Islands Secondary
School, Juergen Raeuber, and Mina Lee
Clean-Up Crew: Ruth & Sam Tarasoff, Stuart
MacDonald, Tom Gossett, Bob Twaites, Juergen
Raeuber, Mina Lee, Sharon McCullough, Maureen
Bendick,

7
Over $1 million raised locally,
fundraising continues
by Tom Gossett
So much fundraising has taken place on Salt sales) and Salt Spring Appeal all contributed
Spring Island since the Texada transaction, $100,000 each. District ratepayers will be
it’s hard to keep it all straight. Here’s a making up the difference ($350,000) from
synopsis of the efforts and their results so far. taxes, tolls and deferred projects. The above
campaign to purchase the land (logged) of
There have been three campaigns combined Rippon Creek has been completed.
into one.
The third campaign that is presently ongoing
The first campaign kicked off in 1999 was for is to raise $1,200,000 to pay for the trees in
Lot 9 – 50 acres in the southeast corner of Rippon Creek. Save Salt Spring Society just
Maxwell Lake. The Water District announced recently pledged $25,000. The Water District
an agreement to purchase fifty acres of matched it with a pledge of $25,000 and the
primary watershed lakeshore property for SSIWPS and SSI Conservancy watershed
$437,000 timber and land. Partners in this benefit concert raised $7,500. Total: $57,500.
purchase included the SSI Conservancy In addition Manulife donated $150,000 and
$33,000, SSI Appeal $17,000, the Water Rob Mcdonald $100,000. Long way to go. We
Preservation Society $100,000 and the Water are hopeful for the BC Government to help us
District ratepayers $287,000. The purchase with the balance.
was closed on August 16 of this year.
The total amount of funds to save the
The second campaign happened this year to watershed of Maxwell Lake raised by public
purchase the Maxwell Lake Rippon Creek appeal so far is an impressive $482,500. Add
secondary watershed land for $650,000. The $662,000 of Water District ratepayer
community responded by donating $300,000 participation and the total is a eye-popping SSI
in the following way: SSI Water Preservation
public contribution of $1,144,500. A
Society, Save Salt Spring Society (calendars

8
SSI Conservancy Sponsors “Walk
Through Time”
by Jean Gelwicks
Imagine taking a walk where every step three feet ago. The last ice age
transports you a million years in time. The concludes only one-tenth of an inch in
Walk Through Time – from stardust to us – the past, and the world‚s population
takes you on just such a journey. In a series of currently doubles each half a
90 panels of text and illustrations, this thousandth of an inch. By seeing
innovative travelling exhibit tells the story of ourselves as connected to the whole
life’s five-billion-year evolution. At a million evolution story we see why we need to
years a foot, it takes almost a mile to traverse make more sustainable decisions.
the history of earth.
The Walk Through Time display will be
Developed at Hewlett Packard Labs and gifted on Salt Spring Island from September
to the Foundation for Global Community, this 28th to October 1st. Speakers,
beautiful and awe-inspiring experience is discussion groups, movies and more
being presented throughout the world so will be happening in conjunction with
At a million years that individuals, organizations and the four days of the Walk. For more
communities can use it as a meaningful information call Bob Wild 537-2744 or
a foot, it takes context for identifying and addressing email wildacre@saltspring.com.
almost a mile to the most critical issues of the future. Sponsored by the SSI Conservancy.
traverse the
How many of us have gone out on a And…we’re looking for Walk
history of earth. brilliant starry night and tried to grasp
volunteers.
the immensity about us? We contemplate
with awe and wonder the millions of
Did you ever take the course Canticle to the
billions of stars, shining from billions of
Cosmos, or read any of Brian Swimme or
millions of miles away. We feel very small.
Thomas Berry’s works or wonder at the story
Physicist Sid Liebes, creator of the Walk, wants
of the Universe? If so we want to tell you about
to do for time what the starry night can do for
a once in a life time opportunity right here on
space: make you feel, deep inside and
Salt Spring Island. The Walk Through
viscerally. Your legs help you sense the passage
Time…from stardust to us…is a series of 90
of time, from raw, whirling matter, through
panels of colorful illustrations and text that
three billion years of constantly elaborating
tells the story of life’s five-billion year
bacteria, to life as we know it.
evolution. The Walk offers a rich context for
exploring fundamental issues and a
Participants will gain an appreciation of the
perspective for addressing the growing human
rich complexity of life processes of the planet
influence on the future of all life on earth.
eons before the appearance of large-scale
The Walk Through Time Committee and SSI
plants and animals. Taking this Walk Through
Conservancy have the good fortune to bring
Time provides a new understanding of the
this unique display to Salt Spring and are
wondrous history of how life developed, a
looking for people to help. We already have a
feeling of awe and inspiration for the
working committee of about 12 but could use
complexity and beauty of the processes that
more help in program planning, set-up and
have made life possible over billions of years,
removal, advertising, giving tours and greeting
and a greater appreciation for the growing
participants.
impact the human species is having on the
future of all the myriad forms of life, including
The Walk is happening Sept. 28 - Oct. 1. Call Jean
our own.
at 537-4859 if you can volunteer some time. A
On the WALK, microbial life appears 4,000
feet in the past and remains the sole life-form
for most of the mile. Humans appear merely

9
Executive Director’s Report
National Marine Conservation Areas
and Bill C-10.
by Karen Hudson, Executive Director. this vision are a series of potential core areas,
priorities for marine protection,
As your Executive Director, one of my roles is recommendations for special management
to represent the Board of Directors at local zones and a proposed boundary for the overall
and regional meetings. On July 12th, I NMCA. This work follows several years of
attended a very interesting meeting with documentation, awareness building and
Allison Henderson; the new Marine Protected outreach by CPAWS and local grassroots
Area Outreach Officer for Canadian Parks and groups on marine protected areas in the
Wilderness Society (CPAWS) of BC, and Nina region. Efforts are being made to ensure
Ragingsky; the local Coordinator of the consensus from the community on marine
Waterbird Watch Collective. conservation goals and strategies, and to link
The Waterbird Watch Collective monitors and this MPA advocacy with other initiatives such
documents waterbird populations around the as the Orca Pass project. Ultimately, once the
coast, lakes and ponds of Salt Spring. NMCA process gets off the ground, a broad,
Inventories are made on an ongoing basis, and consensus-based public advisory process under
the notes are collected quarterly and used for the lead of Parks Canada is expected to occur.
national and international scientific studies. Here in the Southern Strait of Georgia, a wide
While we were at Nina’s, we were able to range of stakeholders, including community
observe nesting Black Oystercatchers, Great groups, fishermen, local governments, and
Blue Herons, and Double-Crested Cormorants businesses have expressed overwhelming
on Walter Bay. Inspired by Nina’s enthusiasm, support for the establishment of an NMCA in
I quickly agreed to join the collective as a the region. In November, 1998, the
Heron Helper and will document my governments of Canada and British Columbia
waterbird sightings on a quarterly basis. If you announced the launch of the feasibility study
are also interested in helping out the for an NMCA in the southern Strait of
waterbirds, please call Nina at 537-4515. Georgia. The feasibility study had been
Allison Henderson spoke to us about the need promised under the Pacific Marine Heritage
for a National Marine Conservation Area Legacy, and was to be coordinated with other
(NMCA) in the Southern Strait of Georgia. As regulatory agencies, including Fisheries and
a type of large, zoned marine protected area Oceans Canada. However, to date no public
(MPA), a National Marine Conservation Area consultations have begun and there is no clear
would help ensure ecological and economic indication from Parks Canada regarding their
sustainability for the treasured marine plan of action and timelines. Although these
environment of the Gulf Islands. Critical to groups continue to look forward to the
this process is the passage of Bill C-10: the opportunity to apply the NMCA ecosystem-
National Marine Conservation Areas (NMCA) based management model towards the
Act. CPAWS is working in partnership with a protection of the region’s marine biodiversity,
variety of conservation groups, scientists and they are extremely disappointed at the lack of
stakeholders to advance the NMCA process, progress in the NMCA feasibility study and
and will be coming to Salt Spring August 30th hope that the timely passage of Bill C-10 will
for a presentation on NMCAs in the region, help advance our mutual goal of protecting
tentatively scheduled for the Lion’s Hall. this critical region of Pacific Canada.

The goals of the “NMCA Coalition” are to We should support Bill C-10 for a number of
raise support for NMCA establishment in the reasons. It is a strong bill that will provide
region and to advance the passing of Bill C-10. long-term protection for marine species and
The ultimate goal is the designation of an their habitats, while allowing for sustainable
NMCA in the region that has conservation use of ocean resources. In providing for the
merit and local support. Through outreach designation of National Marine Conservation
with their respective constituencies, member Areas (NMCAs), this bill will help ensure the
groups of the Coalition are now developing a
grassroots vision for the NMCA. Included in
continued on page 11
10
continued from page 10 provide immeasurable economic, cultural and
spiritual value to millions of Canadians. Given
Bill C-10 our rich and diverse marine heritage and the
viability of not only marine ecosystems, but serious signs of stress and degradation that are
also the many coastal communities in Canada now being witnessed in Canada’s oceans, it is
that depend on a healthy marine simply unacceptable that Canada lags behind
environment. many other countries in establishing
protected marine areas.
Bill C-10 provides for a strong role by local
communities, First Nations and other levels of I urge you to write to the Government of
government, and a variety of stakeholders in Canada to pass Bill C-10 as a necessary and
the study of proposed areas and subsequent overdue measure in improving the protection,
management. The commitment to public stewardship and sustainable use of Canada’s
consultation and inclusive decision making oceans. Please send a letter or fax detailing
through a strong local advisory component is these concerns to:
critical for sustainable ecosystems and
Mr. Clifford Lincoln
economies. Moreover, this bill is
Chair of Standing Committee on Canadian
complementary to other legislation (including
Heritage
the Oceans Act and the Canada Wildlife Act) and
Liberal Caucus
its passage will ensure that Canada has the
Parliament Buildings
necessary range of tools needed to protect its
Ottawa, ON
biologically rich and economically important
K1A 0A6
marine environments.
email: Lincoln.CC@parl.gc.ca
Some outstanding issues of concern do exist in fax: 613-995-052
Bill C-10. Specifically, the list of prohibitions
CC:
in the bill should include activities which are
known to cause long term, large scale habitat The Hon. Sheila Copps
disruption, including bottom trawling, finfish Minister of Canadian Heritage
aquaculture and dredging. These activities are Room 509-S, Centre Block
clearly incompatible with the conservation House of Commons
objectives of a NMCA, and have been Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
demonstrated to negatively impact the email: Copps.S@parl.gc.ca
maintenance of biological fax: 613-994-1267
diversity and to
compromise the structure Ms. Sarmite Bulte, M.P
and function of marine Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of
ecosystems. Canadian Heritage
Room 430, Confederation Building
In addition, the current House of Commons
levels of funding are Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
inadequate for Parks email: Bulte.S@parl.gc.ca
Canada to meet its fax: 613-995-1629
mandate and achieve
success with its NMCA Cheryl Gallant, MP
program. Processes to Canadian Alliance
conserve ocean Canadian Heritage Committee - Vice Chair
ecosystems, from coast to fax (constituency): 613-582-7463
coast to coast, will suffer, Gary Lunn, MP
even equipped with Bill C- Canadian Alliance
10, unless the necessary fax (constituency): 250-656-1675
financial commitments
are made available to Christine Gagnon, MP
agency staff. Bloc Quebecois
Critic - Canadian Heritage
Canada is a maritime fax (constituency): 418-523-6672
nation. Yet we have been
slow to protect the ocean For more information about NMCAs and Bill
environments that help C-10, please consult the CPAWS-BC web site at
define our country and www.cpawsbc.org A
11
from the BC Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Web site

The Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team (GOERT):


A Report
Origin
In May of 1999, delegates to the First (four species), or special concern (four
International Garry Oak Symposium, held in species) designations from the Committee on
Victoria, BC, unanimously passed two the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada
resolutions: (COSEWIC). Many more of the species are
• The Garry oak meadow ecosystem likely candidates for national listing upon
deserves to be recognized as a nationally assessment by COSEWIC. Indicators suggest
endangered ecosystem; and that extirpation or extinction is possible or
• A recovery plan should be developed and likely unless recovery actions are taken. Garry
implemented to provide direction for oak plant communities have been ranked as
protecting, sustaining, and restoring Garry imperilled and critically imperilled within
oak ecosystems. British Columbia.
In response to the second resolution, the Growing alarm over past, current, and
Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team potential future losses of ecosystems and
(GOERT), a partnership of a number of species has spawned a multitude of
governmental and non-governmental conservation activities by concerned citizens as
agencies, was founded. GOERT’s membership well as governmental and non-governmental
currently includes 23 individuals representing agencies. Although some gains have been
one regional, four provincial, and three made, overall concern has not translated into
federal government agencies, one regional an equivalent level of substantial protection.
district board, one First Nation, nine non- Losses continue and the prognosis is not
governmental organizations, two academic encouraging. Coordinated action is needed to
institutions, and three private enterprises. clearly identify and prioritize conservation
needs and strategically focus resources on
The need those activities with the greatest promise of
Garry oak (Quercus garryana) ecosystems, and success. An overall recovery strategy, which
the complex of closely related coastal bluff, defines goals, objectives, actions, and priorities
maritime meadow, vernal pool, grassland, rock in relation to ecological realities and social
outcrop, and transitional forest ecosystems of opportunities, is a necessary prerequisite to
southwest British Columbia, are important for such a recovery program.
their great beauty and their biological
diversity. Over recent decades, habitat Accomplishments
conversion of the ecosystems to agricultural Over the last 2 years, GOERT has worked to
and urban uses has occurred at an alarming establish its operating principles, gather and
and accelerating rate. Less than 5 % of the synthesize background information, and
original habitat remains in a near-natural develop an ecosystem-level recovery strategy.
condition. Habitat loss, fragmentation, and With funds from the World Wildlife Fund
invasion by exotic species, altered fire regimes, Canada, Millenium Bureau of Canada, former
and other factors pose serious and ongoing BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks,
threats to these ecosystems throughout their Environment Canada through the Georgia
range in Canada. Unless these factors are Basin Ecosystem Initiative, and the Garry Oak
addressed, widespread losses of the Meadow Preservation Society, two documents
constituent organisms are likely. have been prepared and are available [from
the Web site: www.bc.natureconservancy.ca/
Garry oak and associated ecosystems are home
cgo/index.html].
to 93 species that have been designated as “at
risk” in British Columbia. Twenty-four of the In accordance with the provisions of the draft
species are threatened or endangered Recovery Strategy, eight Recovery Action
throughout their global range. Twenty-one of Groups have recently formed. They are:
the species are listed as being at risk on a
national scale, having extirpated (one continued on page 13
species), endangered (12 species), threatened
12
FEEDFEEDFEEDFEEDFEEDFEED
FEEDback
Dear Robin [Anderson] and Charles last fall. I also am excited to have found a
[Dorworth] source for sequoia seedlings (previously
Ghislaine and I would like to thank you both planted sequoias have thrived) which will be
for all the time and effort you have given, in planted this fall in the eastern pasture area –
visiting our property and preparing a along with Doug fir and cedar.
comprehensive management plan. We have Your report has given us realistic objectives, a
been truly impressed and overwhelmed with plan of action and a long term vision. Thank
your knowledge, advice and ongoing support. you so very much.
When I first became aware of the Stewardship David Greig
program and signed up for more information Ghislaine de Saint Venant
at the Fall Fair last year, we only had a sense Salt Spring Island
that we wanted somehow to preserve, enhance
or restore the special qualities of this small
piece of land – but were quite uncertain about Editor, The Acorn:
just how to go about it. Your visits and lengthy Congratulations on a really great issue
walkabouts gave us new insights and (No. 17)!
understanding as well as the confidence to
forge ahead. When I got my copy I sat down and read it
through cover-to-cover. It really satisfied my
Based on our discussions and your suggestions need for information, plus articles that make
we takcled the broom that was established at me want to respond, and to get more involved.
the perimeter and beginning to creeep in. And Peter Eyles drawings made it all hang
(We are planning a visit to the adjoining together most beautifully! Keep it up!
property to do some preemptive work there,
too.) We have completed proper fencing in [Phil] Vernon Design
the garden and a new nursery area to develop 300 Whims Road
stock for planting out later. We also have Saltspring Island, BC V8K 1C1 A
propagated a large number of alder seedlings
for planting in areas that had been scarified

continued from page 12

GOERT
• Inventory, Mapping, and Plant
Communities
• Conservation Planning and Site
Protection
• Restoration and Management
• Plants at Risk
• Invertebrates at Risk
• Vertebrates at Risk
• Research
• Communication, Coordination, and
Public Involvement
Each Recovery Action Group is responsible
for further developing and implementing a
segment of the recovery program. Recovery
Action Plans are being prepared and a
number of recovery projects and programs are
in process. Information about these activities
will be posted on the Web site in the near
future. A
13
Featured
artist –
Howard Fry
This edition’s featured artist is well known
to Salt Springers as the photographer who
created the memorable images for the
Women’s Preserve and Protect 2001
Calendar. But long before he was
composing his photos of the undraped
bodies of local matrons, Howard had
established himself both as a highly
successful fashion photographer and, as
the images we have presented here attest,
a sensitive observer of rural landscapes.
Below we offer the chronology he has
supplied us:

1944 Born Leeds England


1962 Attended Leeds College of art
1966 Post Graduate Graphic Design, Manchester
College of Art
1967 Emigrated to Canada
1968 Hired by Eaton’s to shoot fashion advertising
1972 Began freelancing, retaining Eaton’s as a client
and pursuing personal projects; began shooting fashion
editorial for local magazines
1980 Approached by Nordstrom in Seattle and began
working with them consistently for 15 years. During
this period also worked for several other clients in the
US, including Eddie Bauer
1982 Established capacious studio in Vancouver to service Woodward’s department store,
which wished to upgrade their fashion image, a relationship that lasted 10 years
1990 Began shooting annual reports for such luminaries as BC Tel , BC Gas, Westcoast Energy,
Nintendo, Fletcher Challenge, Woodward’s, etc
1997 Moved to Salt Spring Island to try rural living and establish a small vineyard.
2000 Shot Salt Spring Preserve and Protect calendar, which sold close to 10,000 copies in
seven weeks and reaped astonishing press coverage around the world. A

14
continued from page 1 experience for all of us. Undoubtedly, there
Covenants will be many wrinkles to be ironed out before
the transfers are completed without much
time and effort.
Salt Spring’s Official Community Plan (OCP)
designates specific sending and receiving The Covenants Committee is planning some
areas, which have been approved either for form of public information session before the
downzoning or for upzoning. Among the end of the year. With that in mind, we will be
advantages of density transfer are the discussing our priorities and direction with the
protection of areas that have important Conservancy Board in the fall. Meanwhile,
ecological value and the concentration of work is ongoing on about a dozen covenants
population, rather than the encouragement of and we continue to respond to new requests as
sprawling development. they arise.

“Sending” landowners are discovering that For further information on covenants in


density transfers can be financially rewarding general, have a look at the West Coast
and can avoid their having to go through the Environmental Law’s publication, “Greening
lengthy and expensive subdivision process. Your Title: A Guide to Best Practices for
“Receiving” landowners are equally pleased to Conservation Covenants,” which is available
be able to increase the density of their online at http://www.wcel.org or from the
properties for a fair market price. At this Conservancy’s office. A
point, though, the whole process is a learning

The Acorn is the newsletter


of the Salt Spring Island
Conservancy, a local, non-
profit society supporting
and enabling voluntary
preservation and restoration Membership Application Participation
of the natural environment
of Salt Spring Island and Individual $15 I would like to participate in the work of the
surrounding waters. Conservancy by volunteering in the following way(s):
Family $20
We welcome your feedback Underemployed $10  Research
and contributions, by email
to
 Land restoration
Name:
sam_lightman@saltspring.com  Office work
or by regular mail to the Address:
Conservancy office.  Site evaluation and habitat identification
Editor/Designer:  Computer work
Sam Lightman Postal Code:
 Mapping
Phone: Fax:
Board of Directors:
Maureen Bendick email:  Fund raising
Samantha Beare
Please email the Acorn to me.  Specific educational programs (your ideas
Jean Gelwicks welcome)
Gary Holman
Ann Richardson Donations  Joining the Board of Directors (this Board is
Peter Lamb Tax deductible receipts are provided for every active, not passive)
Andrew Lewis donation over $20.
Sam Lightman  Other (your suggestions)
Andrea Rankin In addition to my $15-20 membership fee, I have
the Salt Spring Island
Ruth Tarasoff
Doug Wilkins
Maggie Ziegler
enclosed my donation in the amount of:

$25 $50 $100


Co n s e r v a n c y
Ganges PO Box 722
Bob Weeden, Salt Spring Island, BC
President V8K 2W3
Other________ http://salt-spring.bc.ca/conservancy/

printed on recycled paper


15
the Salt Spring Island
Co n s e r v a n c y
Ganges PO Box 722
Salt Spring Island, BC
V8K 2W3

16

You might also like