Salt Spring Island Conservancy

The Salt Spring Island Conservancy is excited to announce that we will be having a native plant sale!

Date: Saturday, August 22
Time: 10 am – 2 pm
Location: Blackburn Lake Nature Reserve, 265 Blackburn Road

We will be selling a diversity of native plants including trees, shrubs, forbs and grasses for wetland, dryland and forest ecosystems. There is something for every garden, restoration project and more! The plants will vary in price depending on the species and size of pot. Make sure to drop in while stock lasts! Thank you for supporting the Conservancy. All proceeds will be going towards further conservation efforts.

Any questions? Email to [email protected]

Hope to see you there!

🌅 We are excited to invite folks out for another Sea Garden restoration gathering on Wednesday, August 12th!

🌊 Restoration work in this special place will be guided by W̱SÁNEĆ knowledge keepers, and there are a variety of tasks to be done. We welcome people of all abilities for this event - even if you just want to be present to observe!

🗒️Here is the plan for the day, bearing in mind that with people coming from many different paths and means of transport the timeline may need to be a bit fluid.

9 am - meet at Drummond Park (you're welcome to arrive early). Carpool up to access point at Ruby Alton Nature Reserve

9:30 am - start walking down to the Sea Garden site

10:00 am - opening circle, work begins

11:00 am - low tide, 0.25 m

12:00 pm - begin to wrap up work, closing circle

12:30 pm - walk back to Ruby Alton access point and return to Drummond Park

🎒Please aim to be self-sufficient by wearing appropriate beach footwear and bringing your own water, food, and gloves. Sun hat, glasses, and sunscreen are also helpful this time of year!

💌 Please RSVP to [email protected]

5 Ways to Celebrate World Conservation Day with Salt Spring Island Conservancy

1. Walk SSIC’s Nature Reserves
Experience the importance of conservation first hand by walking one of SSIC's 9 nature reserves that feature public walking trails. At Creekside Nature Reserve, Cushion Creek flows through the land's deep, forested ravine with pristine streamside habitat, providing the fresh water critical to species richness and survival. Marvel at Western redcedars up to 250 years old, enormous Bigleaf maples draped in moss and lichen, and creekbanks lined with maidenhair ferns.

2. Volunteer in the Native Plant Nursery
Join the Native Plant Nursery Volunteer Group for weekly sessions this summer at Blackburn Lake Nature Reserve. Email [email protected] to sign up today.

3. Support Our Work
Support from our memberships and donations enable us to protect natural areas of our island for future generations. It helps fund our public educational events and our work with people who want to learn how to be better stewards of their land.
Sign up to receive the Conservancy's email newsletter to stay informed on news, volunteer opportunities and events at saltspringconservancy.ca.

4. Join the Land Stewardship Program
In this free program, a SSIC biologist will visit your land to point out the natural values and to develop a plan so you can best steward your land. The biologist will prepare a Stewardship Report that contains information on nature-scaping, plant and animal identification and ecological stewardship issues including fire-risk reduction and adapting to climate change. Email [email protected] today to get involved.

5. Volunteer at the W̱EN,NÁ,NEĆ / Hwnen’uts Sea Garden
Restoration work continues in this special place on August 12 and will be guided by W̱SÁNEĆ knowledge keepers. There are a variety of tasks to be done, and people of all abilities are welcome to attend this event. If you want to be present to observe, that is also welcome. For more information and to RSVP please email [email protected].

Ecological Restoration Tour registration is now open!

Join ecologist Chris Drake of Coast Alive Stewardship Services this summer at Blackburn Lake Nature Reserve!

For more information and to register, please visit: https://saltspringconservancy.ca/events/

Last call for dropping off invasives for chipping this spring! Sunday, May 31, at Fulford Hall from 10 am to 3 pm.

✅ Bring Woody Invasives: Gorse, broom, holly, blackberry, daphne, woody ivy stems
❌ Don’t Bring: Soft tissue plants, giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed (For soft invasives like periwinkle, lamium, yellow flag iris, place in plastic bag, add water and leave in the sun to solarize).

❌ Absolutely no roots (They can contain rocks and dirt that can destroy chipper blades)

Drop-off fees vary by load
Car Trunk: $5-$20
Truck: $20-$40
Larger vehicles: $50-$200

Payment: Cash Only

This is a residential service – not for commercial disposal.

TSS, SSI Conservancy, and the SSI Garden Club will carry on the 15-year tradition!

Sharing this fun opportunity for children, offered by our neighbours at the the Salt Spring Nature Academy - Playful Nature: A Wildlife Attuned Summer Camp inviting children into a week of connection, creativity, and outdoor exploration on the land!

Camp Details:

Location: Blackburn Conservancy
Dates: July 6–10 and July 20–24
Time: 9:15am – 3:15pm
Ages: 6–10 (children turning 6 this year are welcome)
Cost: $350 per 4-day grouping
Spots: Limited to 20 spots per week

About the Camp:
These immersive camps are designed to foster meaningful relationships, with each other and with the natural world. Each day follows a gentle, consistent rhythm beginning with circle time, followed by songs, storytelling, movement games, free play, and nature-based crafts.

Daily themes will guide exploration, offering children rich opportunities for hands-on, sensory-led learning rooted in curiosity and play. The experienced team brings a strong foundation in nature connection, wildlife awareness, storytelling, and creative expression.

Camp Team:

Naomi Woodward
Scott Lucyk
Era O’Donnal

Together, they create a warm, engaging environment grounded in respect for the land and each child’s unique way of learning.

If you’re interested in registering or would like more information, feel free to reach out to [email protected]

We’re excited to invite you to our Annual General Meeting (AGM) - an opportunity to connect, reflect on the past year, and shape the future of our community together.

Date: Monday, June 29th
Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: 265 Blackburn Road

Your voice matters, and we’d love for you to join us! Whether you’re a long-time member or new to our community, your perspectives are welcomed as we discuss our achievements, challenges, and plans for the year ahead. What to expect:

-Updates on our progress and initiatives, including highlights of our strategic planning updates
-Opportunities to ask questions and share ideas
-Light refreshments and time to connect with fellow members

If you aren't yet a member or would like to renew your membership prior to the AGM, you can do so on our website's membership page linked below:

https://saltspringconservancy.ca/get-involved/membership/

Please RSVP to [email protected] if you would like to attend the AGM on June 29th so we can plan accordingly - thank you!

Come out to socialize with other nature-lovers tonight, Saturday, May 23 at 5 pm! The Conservancy and Nature Salt Spring are hosting a (free) informal social/happy hour potluck gathering at Blackburn Lake, 265 Blackburn Road. Please bring along a ‘finger-food’ appetizer. No-host bar available. Register here: https://www.naturesaltspring.org/events-summary/free-informal-socialhappy-hour-potluck-gathering

The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) is celebrated on 22 May annually to commemorate the adoption of the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on 22 May 1992. This observance proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly provides an opportunity to foster wide support for the implementation of the Convention, its Protocols and related action frameworks.

“Acting locally for global impact” is the theme of the 2026 edition of IDB.

Salt Spring Conservancy and Nature Salt Spring have partnered to deliver a weekend of workshops to highlight our local biodiversity - and there's still time to get involved! Check out https://www.naturesaltspring.org/events to register for one of the many fantastic "Biodiversity Extravaganza" events.

If you've been curious about the restoration work being done in Xwaaqw'um, this is a valuable opportunity to learn more! Delivered by ecologist Rachel Bevington and hosted by the Salt Spring Island Public Library.