FEBRUARY 2025

NEWSLETTER

Spring is a great time for getting together!

As the days grow longer, GCA is gearing up for a season full of community connection and conservation action! March kicks off with a cross-organizational Volunteer Fair, inviting you to explore the many ways to get involved in the Galiano community. Little nature lovers can join Nature Buddies, a fun-filled program for preschoolers, while Tal Engel’s forest restoration talk at the MLC will offer fresh insights into the future of our forests.

Our teams are also preparing for another busy spring season of biodiversity monitoring, invasive species removal, plant propagation and youth education programs.

Additionally, you won't want to miss the Coastal Marine Strategy Workshop hosted by the Georgia Strait Alliance at the South Community Hall on March 1st.

Looking ahead, be sure to mark your calendar for a special Displaced Species Art Workshop on Saturday, April 5th—more details in this edition of the GCA newsletter!

Photo: Rough-skinned newt by Jeremy Scroggins, BLM, Wikimedia Commons

BE PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER

RENEW OR BUY YOUR MEMBERSHIP TODAY

At the Galiano Conservancy Association (GCA), membership isn’t just about joining an organization—it’s about becoming part of a community that cares deeply for this island and its incredible ecosystems. Whether you’re a long-time supporter or new to the organization, your membership helps protect Galiano’s forests, shorelines, and wildlife while fostering environmental education for all ages. As a member in good standing, you’ll receive exclusive updates, access to our nature-focused library, and invitations to special events and guest speaker presentations. You also get to vote at our AGM, which will be held on Saturday, June 14th at 1:30pm at the Millard Learning Centre.

Beyond its direct financial support, your membership plays a critical role in securing grants and other funding for our programs. A strong, engaged membership base shows funders that the GCA has deep community support, helping us sustain and expand our projects and programs. Now is a great time to renew or join! Choose the payment method that works for you—online, e-transfer, mail, or in person at an event or our office. Every membership matters, and together, we make a real difference for nature. 🌿💚

CONSERVATION IN ACTION

NATURE STEWARDS PROGRAM

Image: Bald eagle perched in a tree, Wikimedia Commons

Are there areas on your property that feel special to you—whether a Garry Oak meadow, a wetland buzzing with life, or simply a nice patch of woods? Maybe you’ve noticed pollinators visiting your garden or mature trees providing a home for birds or other species. These ecologically-active spaces are incredibly valuable, and the Nature Stewards Program is here to help you protect and care for them.

Regardless of property size, whether you rent or own, whether you want to preserve biodiverse habitats present on your land, dream of restoring parts of your land to a more natural state, or simply want ideas to support local wildlife, the Nature Stewards Program provides resources to guide and support you and your stewardship goals. Our knowledgeable staff are available to provide a free 1hr site visit and consultation for those interested in the program, and for those who agree to take part, will work with you to create a tailored stewardship plan, and help you care for your property as a haven for nature, and a vital part of the ecosystems supporting our community.

All that’s required to join the program is a voluntary pledge to proactively care for your property’s natural habitats and species. This pledge is not a conservation covenant and is non-binding—it’s simply a personal commitment, based on trust and goodwill, without legal obligations or permanence. It’s an easy way of contributing to conservation at home and on your own terms.

If you are interested in joining this growing community of neighbourhood land stewards, click on the button below to visit our website. There you will find helpful resources on land stewardship and more information on the process to sign up! Contact Sofia Silverman, GCA's Conservation and Climate Action Coordinator, at conservation@galianoconservancy.ca if you have additional questions or comments about this program. 

PROTECTING OUR LOCAL WATERS

COASTAL MARINE STRATEGY EVENT

Photo: Breaching orca whales, Wikimedia Commons public domain

Come join Georgia Strait Alliance and Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - BC Chapter for an informal event focused on British Columbia's Coastal Marine Strategy! This session will explore some of the key goals and actions of the Strategy, discuss priorities for the Gulf Islands, and provide an opportunity for you to voice your thoughts on marine conservation issues.

This is an excellent chance to connect with community members and environmental organizations to share ideas on how we can contribute to protecting BC's valuable marine ecosystems and enhance the resiliency of coastal communities. Don't miss your chance to be part of a conversation in helping shape the future of BC's coast- we hope to see you there!

Saturday, March 1 · 12:30 - 2:30pm PST

Galiano Community Hall, 141 Sturdies Bay Road Galiano Island, BC V0N 1P0

Lunch, snacks, and refreshments will be served. Reserve your FREE ticket by clicking on the button below.

HANDS-ON LEARNING EVENTS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

NATURE BUDDIES IS BACK!

Nature Buddies is back, and we can’t wait to explore, play, and sing together!

🌿🎶 Join our amazing and engaging education team and their puppet pals on the last four Mondays in March (March 10, 17, 24, and 31) at 11 AM for a morning of nature-inspired fun at the Playspace (below South Community Hall - 141 Sturdies Bay Road).

Designed for little explorers aged 0-5, this drop-in program is a perfect way for preschoolers to connect with nature through stories, songs, and hands-on activities. No registration needed—just bring your curiosity, your giggles, and a grown-up or two! See you there! 🐸🍃

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

It is often said that “time heals all wounds.” But what if, for our second and third-growth Douglas-fir forests, time alone is not enough? What does it actually take to “grow” a healthy old-growth forest? Join Tal Engel of WolfTree Integrative Forest Rehabilitation for an engaging evening exploring how we can help second- and third-growth Douglas-fir forests recover from over a century of industrial forestry.

Through ecological philosophy, restoration practices, and deep reflection on our relationship with the land, this talk will challenge the way we think about forest recovery. Expect thought-provoking insights, practical restoration techniques, and a lively discussion.

Come be part of the conversation—because the time for action is now!

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

📍 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

GCA volunteers engaged in restoration work

Looking for ways to give back and get involved in your community?

Join us at the Galiano Volunteer Fair on March 29th from 3-5 PM at the South Community Hall! This drop-in social event is your chance to connect with local organizations, explore volunteer opportunities, and meet like-minded community members who are making a difference on Galiano Island. Whether you're passionate about conservation, community services, health, arts, or education, there’s a role for everyone.

Come chat with representatives from the Galiano Conservancy and other island-based organizations to learn how your time and skills can support meaningful local projects and programs. Enjoy a casual, welcoming atmosphere while discovering ways to contribute—whether it's hands-on environmental work, event support, mentorship, outreach or behind-the-scenes planning. No commitment required—just come by, mingle, learn, and get inspired!

INTERGENERATIONAL ART AND NATURE EVENT

REIMAGINING DISPLACED SPECIES

Join us for a creative afternoon of Reimagining Displaced Species, an intergenerational crafting and dialogue event on Saturday, April 5th, from 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM at the Millard Learning Centre. (10825 Porlier Pass Rd)

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!

Joshua Ralph, an artist in residence at the Yellowhouse Art Centre, will be facilitating the crafting.

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION - SPECIES AT RISK

AMPHIBIAN ACOUSTIC MONITORING ON GALIANO

Northern red-legged frog (Rana aurora) by Martyne Reedman, Wikimedia Commons

Galiano is home to five amphibian species: the Northern Pacific Treefrog, Northwestern Salamander, Long-toed Salamander, Rough Skinned Newt, and the Northern Red-legged Frog. The Northern Red-Legged Frog is of particular interest as the species is classified as of Special Concern by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) and on Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA).

Find out what GCA is doing to protect these amphibians, including acoustic monitoring, by clicking on the link below.

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: