JULY 2024

NEWSLETTER

Warm days are here again! The GCA team wishes you all a wonderful summer season, filled with adventures and good times in nature with people you love. If you can, come and say hi to our delightful team at the Galiano Saturday Market, or drop by the Millard Learning Centre for a visit (details below)!

Beautiful day at Sum'nuw with South Delta Secondary. Photo by Sarah Fleming

Please note that we recently changed our email marketing platform to Constant Contact and some errors might have occurred in our contact lists during the data migration. If you received this email in error, please accept our sincere apologies and use the Unsubscribe link at the bottom of this newsletter to remove yourself from our mailing list. Thank you for being an important part of our conservation journey!

MAJOR WIN FOR CONSERVATION ON GALIANO:

TALKING TREES NATURE RESERVE

We are delighted to announce the protection of 42 hectares (103.5 acres) of ecologically diverse mature and old-growth coastal Douglas-fir forest on Galiano Island through the creation of the Talking Trees Nature Reserve.

This waterfront parcel protects 600 metres of undeveloped rocky shoreline and rare habitats including coastal bluffs, Garry oak woodlands, wetlands and riparian forest, home to several species at risk.

This important land acquisition was one of eight projects selected for financial support through the Old Growth Nature Fund, established by the B.C. government and Environment and Climate Change Canada as part of Canada’s commitment to protect 25% of terrestrial areas by 2025.

Image: Towering giants at the Talking Trees Nature Reserve on Galiano Island. Photo credit: James LaBounty.

AGM UPDATE

The GCA held its Annual General Meeting on July 6th, 2024 at the Millard Learning Centre classroom. We wish to thank the 34 supporters who attended the event via Zoom and in person. The AGM has always been a stimulating way for GCA staff, board and supporters to connect with each other and share perspectives, and this year's AGM was no different.

Executive Director Chessi Miltner and GCA board chair Sheila Anderson opened the proceedings and welcomed the attendees, followed by a territorial acknowledgment by Suzanne Fournier.

Chessi Miltner presented the GCA's 2023 Financial Statements, and our team of GCA program coordinators provided detailed updates of ongoing initiatives, showcasing the diverse and impactful work being done across the island in the areas of environmental learning, ecological restoration, sustainable food systems, biodiversity conservation, climate action, and land stewardship. A special mention was made of the recent protection of the Talking Trees Nature Reserve on Galiano.

Attendees participated in the election of new board members, ensuring fresh perspectives and continued dedication to the organization's mission. We would like to welcome and congratulate Sid Fels and George Maddison, who were elected to the board for 2-year terms, and commend Julie Gardner and Holly Schofield, who renewed their 2-year mandates. We also wish to acknowledge and thank Chris Tollefson and previous board chair, Stephanie Cairns, who completed their terms as directors and did not stand for reelection. The GCA could not consistently deliver on its mission without the guidance, involvement and expertise of our dedicated and talented volunteer board.

Special business followed, during which the GCA's updated First Nations hunting policy for the Millard Learning Centre was adopted (link below).

A highlight of the AGM was the featured presentation by Ruth Waldick (of Transition Salt Spring's Climate Adaptation Research Lab), entitled "Understanding and Mitigating Forest Fire Risks in the Gulf Islands: We are not the Mainland." Waldick's insightful talk addressed the unique challenges and strategies for forest fire prevention and management specific to the Gulf Islands, emphasizing the need for localized solutions. You can access the recording of this important and timely talk at the link provided below.

By popular request, and just for the fun of it, we are also including the recipe for the Thai-inspired almond sauce which accompanied the Food Forest salad rolls at the AGM, for your summertime eating pleasure. Enjoy!

READ GCA's FIRST NATIONS HUNTING POLICY →

MEET GCA's BOARD OF DIRECTORS →

READ GCA's 2023 ANNUAL REPORT →

WATCH RUTH WALDICK's PRESENTATION →

MARTINE's ALMOND SAUCE RECIPE →

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR WALKALONG!

On Sunday, August 25th, bring the whole family to the Millard Learning Centre to celebrate nature and experience live, outdoor music, art and dance at the Millard Learning Centre, located at 10825 Porlier Pass Rd on beautiful Galiano Island!

The Musical Walkalong is a dynamic, inclusive and family-friendly event that features live music and art along a scenic forested walking route, followed by a festive celebration at the mainstage with wonderful music, food and beverages in the late afternoon. 



Event attendees are welcome to join us for just the Walk, just the Celebration or participate in both! Please note that this is an inclusive, sliding scale event.

Interested in helping out? We are looking for volunteers to help with the following tasks: parking attendant, bar & food service, trail volunteers. Click on the attached button to sign up as a volunteer!

EDUCATION UPDATE

BY SARAH FLEMING

Coast Salish Peoples have lived on and cared for the land now known as Galiano Island for millennia. We acknowledge that we live and work within the shared, asserted, unceded and traditional territories of the Hul’qumi’num-speaking First Nations Peoples and those who hold traditional rights, responsibilities, and Indigenous rights and title in and around what is now known as Galiano Island.

See What We're Up To: