Islands Trust Fund

Organization Mandate
The Islands Trust Fund is a conservation land trust established to preserve and protect the unique character and environment of the islands in British Columbia's Strait of Georgia and Howe Sound. The Islands Trust Fund's vision is to create a legacy of special places, protecting both natural and cultural features forever.

Locations
The Gulf Islands and islands in Howe Sound, British Columbia, including: Bowen Island, Denman Island, Gabriola Island, Galiano Island, Gambier Island, Hornby Island, Lasqueti Island, Mayne Island, North Pender Island, South Pender Island, Salt Spring Island, Saturna Island, Thetis Island and associated islands throughout the Islands Trust Area.

Current Activities and Projects
The Islands Trust Fund works with community groups and landowners to protect special places through voluntary land donations, conservation covenants, land purchase and stewardship education. To direct our efforts to the ecosystems most in need of protection we have created a Regional Conservation Plan that identifies priority areas for conservation. The long-term goals of the Regional Conservation Plan include protecting each natural ecosystem class within each local trust area, protecting the remaining blocks of natural ecosystems, and expanding protected areas on the major islands.

The Islands Trust Fund also administers the Natural Area Protection Tax Exemption Program, an innovative program that provides landowners who permanently protect natural features of their land with the opportunity to receive a 65% exemption in property taxes on the protected portion of their land.

Completed Activities and Projects
Thanks to the vision, dedication and generosity of island landowners and island communities, the Islands Trust Fund is building a lasting legacy in a fragile region. The Islands Trust Fund currently owns 19 nature reserves and holds conservation covenants on 59 private properties. The Islands Trust Fund has partnered with other agencies to protect several significant properties throughout the Gulf Islands including the Squitty Bay Provincial Park Expansion on Lasqueti Island, Loretta's Wood on North Pender Island, and McFadden Creek Nature Sanctuary on Salt Spring Island. Through its Opportunity Fund, the Islands Trust Fund has provided more than $17,000 in funds to assist partner agencies undertake conservation projects in the Islands Trust Area.

Fundraising Initiatives
The Islands Trust Fund established the Opportunity Fund to provide funding to partner agencies working on regionally important conservation projects. The Fund provides support for hard to fundraise costs associated with land protection, or is used to lever increased donations to land acquisition projects. The Opportunity Fund is funded by donations from the general public and proceeds from the sale of Islands Trust Fund Birthday Calendars.

For other current campaigns see:
http://www.islandstrustfund.bc.ca/campaigns.cfm

Partners
We regularly partner with Island Conservancies to protect special places. Our Island partners include:

Bowen Island Conservancy
Conservancy Hornby Island
Denman Conservancy Association
Galiano Conservancy Association
Gambier Island Conservancy
Heartlands Conservancy, Gabriola Island
Lasqueti Island Nature Conservancy
Mayne Island Conservancy Society
Pender Islands Conservancy Association
Salt Spring Island Conservancy

We also work with other conservation groups and agencies working to protect the Islands Trust Area, including:

BC Parks
CRD Parks
Coastal Invasive Plant Committee
Gabriola Historical and Museum Society
Gabriola Lands and Trails Trust
Garry Oak Ecosystem Recoverty Team
Habitat Acquisition Trust
Land Trust Alliance of British Columbia
Nanaimo and Area Land Trust
Nature Conservancy of Canada
Nature Trust of British Columbia
Parks Canada
Pender Island Parks Commission
The Land Conservancy of British Columbia

Publications
A Sensitive Ecosystem Guide for Islands Trust Area Property Owners
50 Protected Places Birthday Calendar
The Heron (Islands Trust Fund Newsletter)
Islands Trust Fund Brochure
Islands Trust Fund Regional Conservation Plan
Natural Area Protection Tax Exemption Program information package
Conservation Covenants Brochure

Volunteers Not Required

Conservation Connection

200 - 1627 Fort St.
Victoria, BC V8R 1H8

Phone: 250-405-5186
Fax: 250-405-5155
Email: itfmail@islandstrust.bc.ca

Website: islandstrustfund.bc.ca

Main Contact
Christine Pritchard
Communications and Fundraising Spec
Phone: 250-405-5171
Fax: 250-405-5155
Email: cpritchard@islandstrust.bc.ca

Secondary Contact
Kate Emmings
A/Ecosystem Protection Specialist
Phone: 250-405-5176
Fax: 250-405-5155
Email: kemmings@islandstrust.bc.ca