Galiano Conservancy AssociationOrganization Mandate
To preserve, protect and enhance the quality of the human and natural environment of the area through education, participation in resource and land-use management and through establishment of natural habitat preserves for the benefit of this and future generations. Locations
All projects and activities are located on Galiano Island, one of the Southern Gulf Islands. Galiano Island is located within the jurisdiction of the Islands Trust and the Capital Regional District. Current Activities and Projects
Environmental Education
Environmental education activities are designed to help people of all ages develop an understanding of the interconnections between the human and natural worlds, and a deep caring for the places we all inhabit.
The concept of 'nature literacy' is the underlying philosophy of the environmental education work of the Galiano Conservancy Association. We offer stimulating outdoor learning, allowing participants to connect to Galiano's varied ecosystems.
Our methods for different age groups include the effective 'teaching train', puppet shows and the chance simply to explore and discover the wonders of nature. We encourage follow up projects so that students can pass on their learning in their home communities.
Conservation Mapping
The Galiano Conservancy has been collecting mapping data and operating a geographic information system since 1997. Our goal is to provide the stewardship community, including Galiano residents, property owners, government agencies and other non-profit organizations, with accurate and detailed information about our island's unique environment. We believe that our mapping must be community-based, which requires in-depth participation of residents and property owners in its creation, and open access to all resulting information. Mapping is completed at a number of scales depending upon the intended use of the map.
Our most recent community mapping project is the landscape classification of Galiano Island at a 1:5,000 scale. The Island's landscape is classified into a variety of modified (rural settled, utility corridor, golf course) and "natural" (mature forest, wetland, Gary oak woodland) habitats
After an initial draft based on air photo interpretations and "ground-truthing" (confirming information on the ground) was completed, the community was asked to review the map content. With the incorporation of local knowledge, the updated version of the map became the focal point for a series of five two-day long educational workshops entitled "Galiano UP-CLOSE" aimed at determining community values associated with our landscape.
In addition to our own projects, the Galiano Conservancy has produced mapping information, baseline reports for conservation covenants and management plans for a variety of individuals and non-profit groups in our community and in neighbouring communities.
Ecological Restoration
"Ecological restoration is the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed." The Society for Ecological Restoration International Science & Policy Working Group. 2002. The SER Primer on Ecological Restoration.
Early European explorers to British Columbia's South Coast noted the mild climate, parkland settings, bounteous resources on land and sea and the presence of First Nations peoples throughout the region.
Colonists brought with them an intensive and exploitative approach to land use. Agriculture, logging, mining, fishing and urbanization continue to transform the South Coast, which is now one of the most densely populated regions in Canada. Today, land protection alone can not ensure the conservation of an ecosystem's health.
The Galiano Conservancy Association is developing and applying restoration methods to conserve biodiversity and preserve ecological integrity on some of Galiano Island's protected lands.
The Conservancy is currently working on ecological restoration in Douglas-fir plantation forests, Garry Oak and associated ecosystems, and in riparian areas along streams and around wetlands.
CONSERVATION PLANNING: ?GREAT BEAVER SWAMP?:
The Galiano Conservancy Association has just purchased Lot 7, District Lot 61, known as the ?Great Beaver Swamp?. The purchase was made possible through interest free loans from some of our members. We are embarking on a fundraising campaign to retire this debt of some $186,000.
Over the next year a detailed inventory of habitats and species will be undertaken and a management plan for this land will be developed. If you would like to help with this purchase or to find out more information about the project, please contact the Conservancy at 539-2424.
The Great Beaver Swamp
The 1888 land survey of Galiano Island by William Ralph references the ?great beaver swamp? on District Lot 61. Since that report, the beaver dam has been breached and this wetland was briefly used as pasture in the middle of the 20th century. In its more recent history, the beaver have returned to the area and are actively building dams so that the wetland system is today in a condition similar to that described by William Ralph in 1888.
Conservation Planning
District Lot 61 adjoins the southern boundary of the Pebble Beach Reserve (consisting of District Lots 60, 63 and part of 66). The establishment of the Pebble Beach Reserve has been a joint project of Galiano Conservancy Association, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Islands Trust Fund and Pacific Marine Heritage Legacy. The Pebble Beach Reserve is influenced by two stream systems: one flowing south into Retreat Cove in Trincomali Channel, and the other flowing north into Cable Bay in the Strait of Georgia. Greig Creek flows into Retreat Cove. It?s headwaters, Laughlin Lake, has recently been secured through the joint efforts of the Galiano Conservancy, Habitat Acquisition Trust, Islands Trust Fund and Georgia Basin Ecosystem Initiative. The Great Beaver Swamp is the headwaters for the stream passing through the Pebble Beach Reserve to the Strait of Georgia at Cable Bay. Securing this extensive wetland area would complete the protection of the major aquatic values influencing the Pebble Beach Reserve.
In referencing this project, the BC Conservation Data Centre has stated ?the site has value as one of the larger of only 19 wetlands mapped on Galiano. Wetlands are under-represented in the Gulf Islands in general, occupying only 0.8% of the Islands sub-unit of the Sensitive Ecosystem Initiative study area?The fact that the wetland at Lot 7 is adjacent to the Pebble Beach Reserve increases its conservation value? This is an excellent example of landscape and watershed-level conservation planning that ensures protection of not just an individual wetland or stream, but the entire wetland complex, stream and riparian areas.?
The Opportunity
In 1982, District Lot 61 was subdivided. This created Lot 7, a remnant lot, of 45 acres allowing only one residence, although no development has occurred. Lot 7 also contains almost the entirety of the Great Beaver Swamp on DL 61. The owners of Lot 6, which contains the remains of the original beaver dam and is the site of present beaver dam activity, are willing to entertain a boundary adjustment which would have the effect of placing most of the major wetland values onto Lot 7.
The From the Forest to the Sea Watershed Project:
The ?From the Forest to the Sea Watershed Project? is an exciting, new, on-going program aimed at immersing youth in the wonders of watershed ecology. Designed by the Galiano Conservancy Association, in conjunction with SeaChange Marine Conservation Society, the ?From the Forest to the Sea Watershed Project? will take youth from the urban centres of Vancouver and Victoria to rural Galiano Island in the Georgia Strait. Here, students, through inspiring hands-on learning activities, will be exposed to all the parts of the Grieg Creek Watershed including Laughlin Lake, Grieg Creek, Retreat Cove, and the surrounding forest areas.
The current program is a pilot project involving the Galiano Community School. Students, aged 5-14, have completed units on stream, ocean and forest ecology over the fall semester. They will be beginning the new year with a unit on lake ecology and will then look at completing projects including a to-scale, 1 metre x 2 metre watershed model. The program with the Galiano Community School will serve as the model for future programs intended for students from urban areas.
Partners in this project are Galiano Conservancy Association and SeaChange Marine Conservation Society.
Galiano Island Wildlife Habitat Project:
A comprehensive landscape-level analysis of wildlife habitat using a Geographic Information System will provide information for a series of public workshops; these will be designed to facilitate the formation of wildlife habitat conservation objectives. Qualified resource people from on and off-island will share their knowledge with a diverse cross-section of our community, and guide them towards the creation of these objectives. Key recommendations will then be presented to the entire community at a public meeting, and community endorsement will then be sought. The series of wildlife habitat workshops will result in the publication of a formal report that includes habitat maps, workshop proceedings, wildlife habitat conservation objectives for Galiano Island, and a detailed model of the project?s technical and organization techniques. The report will be disbursed to local, regional, provincial and national government agencies, similar communities throughout the region, and any interested individuals.
Completed Activities and Projects
List of Completed and Ongoing Projects:
Operation of the Galiano Conservancy Library/Resource Centre
Acquisition of the summit Mt. Sutil
Acquisition of half of Retreat Island
Acquisition of District Lot 63, part of the Pebble Beach Reserve
Acquisition of Laughlin Lake in partnership with Islands Trust Fund and Habitat Acquisition Trust
Initiated the Pebble Beach Reserve, in cooperation with governments, conservation organizations, industry and universities
Warden of Ecological Reserve 128
Establishing and maintaining Smithsonian Institution/Monitoring and Assessment for Biodiversity forest monitoring plots
Fundraising Initiatives
Acquisition of the "Great Beaver Swamp"
From the Forest to the Sea Watershed Project
Conserving Biodiversity Through Community Based Ecological Restoration Project
Ongoing funds for Library/Resource Centre
General operating funds
Partners
Nature Conservancy of Canada
Habitat Acquisition Trust
Islands Trust Fund
Federal and Provincial Governments
Capital Regional District
Natural Resource Conservation Program, University of British Columbia
Environmental Studies Program, University of Victoria
SeaChange Marine Conservation Society
Galiano Community School
Habitat Aquisition Trust
Galiano Club
Publications
Archipelago
Galiano Stewardship News
Galiano Island: A Sensitive Environment
Volunteers Required
Children?s education, ecological restoration, bookkeeping, GIS, GPS and Mapping 
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RR#1, Sturdies Bay Road
Galiano Island, BC V0N 1P0 Phone: 250-539-2424
Fax: 250-539-2424
Email: galiano_conservancy@gulfislands.com
Website: galianoconservancy.ca Main Contact
Ken Millard
Coordinator
Phone: 250-539-2424
Fax: 250-539-2424
Email: conservancy@galianoconservancy.ca
Secondary Contact
Keith Erickson
Conservation Coordinator
Phone: 250-539-2424
Fax: 250-539-2424
Email: conservation@galianoconservancy.ca
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