MARCH 2025

NEWSLETTER

Join us this Spring for some amazing GCA events!

Spring has arrived on Galiano, and with it comes a fresh season of connection, creativity, and conservation. In this edition of our newsletter, you’ll find a full lineup of inspiring events—from community-wide gatherings such as the Galiano Volunteer Fair, to special opportunities like Tal Engel’s forest restoration talk, the continuation of Nature Buddies for young nature enthusiasts, and our intergenerational crafting workshop in collaboration with The Yellowhouse Art Centre.

Whether you're looking to get your hands dirty volunteering, or learn about traditional uses of Indigenous plants from Penelakut Elder Augie Sylvester, there's something for everyone this season! Read on to see how you can get involved, connect with like-minded folks, deepen your knowledge, and care for this land we all love.

Photo: Red-breasted sapsucker by James LaBounty

BE PART OF THE CHANGE

RENEW OR BUY YOUR MEMBERSHIP TODAY

Becoming a member of the Galiano Conservancy Association (GCA) means more than just signing up—it means standing with a community that’s passionate about protecting the natural beauty and biodiversity of Galiano Island and its environs. Whether you’re reconnecting or joining us for the first time, your membership directly supports the preservation of forests, shorelines, and wildlife, and helps us connect people to nature, and deliver nature-based education programs to people of all ages.

Members in good standing receive regular updates, access to our nature-themed lending library, and invitations to exclusive events and guest talks. Plus, you’ll have voting rights at our Annual General Meeting on Saturday, June 14th at 1:30 PM, held at the Millard Learning Centre.

Your membership also carries weight beyond the island—it shows funders that our work is backed by a strong, engaged community. This support strengthens grant applications and helps us continue to grow our impact. Now’s the perfect time to renew or sign up—you can do it online, by e-transfer, mail, or in person at one of our events. Every membership counts—thank you for standing with nature.🌿💚

TAL ENGEL PRESENTATION AT THE MLC

GROWING OLD GROWTH: THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT DEFINE THE FUTURE OF OUR FORESTS

Photo of Tal Engel of Wolftree Integrative Forest Rehabilitation

We often hear that “time heals all wounds”—but when it comes to our second- and third-growth Douglas-fir forests, time alone may not be enough. So what does it take to cultivate the conditions for old-growth to return? Join Tal Engel of WolfTree Integrative Forest Rehabilitation for an evening that will shift your perspective on what it means to restore a forest shaped by over a century of industrial logging.

Blending ecological science, hands-on restoration techniques, and a deeper look at our cultural relationship with the land, Tal invites us to reimagine how we support these forests in becoming resilient, diverse, and truly alive once more. This will be an evening of bold ideas, grounded practices, and meaningful dialogue.

Don’t miss this opportunity to reflect, learn, and take part—because healing our forests starts now, with all of us.

📅 Date & Time: Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 7PM

📍 Location: Millard Learning Centre Classroom, 10825 Porlier Pass Rd, Galiano Is.

🎟 Cost: Free! Everyone welcome

🥂 Light refreshments provided

GROW CONNECTIONS, TAKE ACTION AND GET INVOLVED

GALIANO VOLUNTEER FAIR

Photo: GCA volunteers and seasonal staff taking part in land restoration

Curious about how you can give back while connecting with your island community? Don’t miss the Galiano Volunteer Fair at the South Galiano Community Hall! This relaxed, drop-in event brings together a wide range of local organizations offering volunteer opportunities in conservation, community care, health, the arts, education, and more.

Whether you're eager to dig into restoration work, lend a hand at local events, share your skills behind the scenes, or simply learn what's out there, this is your chance to explore how you can get involved. Chat with friendly folks from the Galiano Conservancy and other island groups, enjoy light refreshments, and find your place in something meaningful. No pressure—just possibilities.

📅 Date & Time: Saturday, March 29th, 3PM-5PM

📍 Location: Galiano Community Hall, 141 Sturdies Bay Road, Galiano Is.

🎟 Cost: Free! Everyone welcome

🥂 Wine and cheese will be served!

HANDS-ON LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

LAST CHANCE TO JOIN NATURE BUDDIES THIS SPRING!

🌿🎶

There are only two more opportunities this Spring for little explorers to join the fun with Nature Buddies! Come connect with nature through stories, songs, and hands-on activities led by our warm and engaging education team—plus a few special puppet pals.

Join us on Monday, March 31st and April 7th at 11AM at the Playspace (below South Community Hall, 141 Sturdies Bay Road) for a joyful morning designed for kids aged 0–5. No need to register—just drop in with your curiosity, laughter, and a grown-up or two. We can’t wait to see you there! 🐸🍃

INTERGENERATIONAL ART AND NATURE EVENT

REIMAGINING DISPLACED SPECIES

Join us for a creative afternoon of Reimagining Displaced Species, an intergenerational crafting and dialogue event, facilitated by Joshua Ralph, artist in residence at The Yellowhouse Art Centre.

During this event, hosted in collaboration with The Yellowhouse Art Centre, we’ll transform introduced plant species into beautiful, handcrafted keychains—while exploring the deeper story of these species and their impact on our ecosystems.

This is a unique opportunity to blend art, ecology, and community in a hands-on, meaningful way. Spaces are limited—register now to secure your spot!



📅 Date & Time: April 5, 2025, 12:30PM to 3:30PM

📍 Location: Millard Learning Centre, 10825 Porlier Pass Rd, Galiano Is.

🎟 Cost: Free! Everyone welcome

COME PLAY WITH US IN THE WOODS!

QUADRA HILL FOREST FEST

Image: Forest stand at Quadra Hill, post-thinning



Please join us for a fun, family-friendly event at the recently-protected Quadra Hill property. The GCA and partners are excited to showcase, for the first time, the results of the forest restoration work that has been completed in 2024. We will be touring examples of mature forest, unrestored plantation forest, and restored plantation forest. Tours of the property will be offered at 10:30 am and 1:30pm, following the Easter Egg hunt at South Galiano Fire Hall. Fun activities for children will also be provided, as well as snacks and hot drinks around the bio-char kilns.

We’ll also be offering two workshops: the first will be a tree-pulling workshop, and the second will focus on assembling nurse logs, (please visit the Wolftree Foresty website for more details on this process). This event will also be a unique opportunity for all participants to get more information on the preservation of healthy forests and how to reduce fuel load/fire risk on their land.

📅 Date & Time: April 19, 10:30AM - 4PM

📍 Location: Quadra Hill, 1000 Melissa Rd, parking available at the end of the road

🎟 Cost: Free! Everyone welcome

🥂 Light refreshments provided

LEARNING FROM LOCAL KNOWLEDGE-HOLDERS

MEDICINE WALK WITH AUGIE SYLVESTER

Join respected Penelakut Elder and knowledge-holder Augie Sylvester, for a very special Medicine Walk that offers a deeper connection to the land and its gifts. This guided walk is an opportunity to learn about the traditional medicinal uses of local plants, passed down through generations of Indigenous knowledge and care.

As we walk together around the Nuts'a'maat Forage Forest, the Millard Learning Centre's Indigenous plant garden, Augie will share stories, teachings, and insights that illuminate the rich cultural relationships between people and plants on Galiano Island. Whether you’re new to plant medicine or continuing your learning journey, this experience promises to be both grounding and inspiring.

📅 Date & Time: May 4, 2025, 1:30PM to 3PM

📍 Location: Millard Learning Centre, 10825 Porlier Pass road, Galiano Is.

🎟 Cost: Free! Everyone welcome

🥂 Light refreshments provided

See What We're Up To: