the cowichan land trust steward - summer 2008

8/14/2019 The Cowichan Land Trust Steward - Summer 2008

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Summer 2008

This summer we worked on the Stewardship Support Projectlike bees on their hive. Our team of 3 helped support land

stewards by identifying ecologically sensitive sites onprivately owned lands as well as current, imminent and

potential environmental issues or threats. By doing site visitsand providing information about conservation tools we

assisted and encouraged locals to conserve/restoreecologically important places in the Cowichan Valley. We

kept as busy as orchard bees buzzing through the fields andfields of wonderful ways we can improve the health of our

communitys waterways and landscapes.

StewardThe

Monika Pakstas Madeline Southern Erin Ward

Our research student helps

migratorywaterfowl!

Monika Pakstas has completed a

report, which has unearthed and

compiled research and documents

relating to Somenos Marsh,

Quamichan Lake, Cowichan

Estuary and Chemainus Estuary.

These are extremely importantplaces for migratory bird

overwintering, feeding and resting.

We are planning to hold a

public meeting for anyone

who is interested in

protecting waterfowl habitat.Please contact us!

The three busy bees would like to give

John Scull our deepest thanks for all his

good humor and guidance this summer.

PEOPLE LOVE GARRY OAK WALKS The Somenos

Garry Oak Protected Area has a long, rich history of FirstNation traditional uses and also has many rare andendangered species. This summer we organized walksled by local experts. If you want to learn more aboutthese fascinating landscapes contact us at the office!

COWICHAN LAND TRUST#6 - 55 Station St, Duncan BC, V9L 1M2; Phone: 250-746-0227

Email: [email protected]; Website: www.naturecowichan.net


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The Steward Summer 2008

Underwater Gardening: Cowichan BayRows of eelgrass are spreading the seeds of change

BIG SALTY THANKS TO VOLUNTEERS!

On June 27th and 28th a strong team of over 50volunteers, coordinated by the Cowichan LandTrust, helped transplant 2000 eelgrass shoots in

Cowichan Bay. SeaChange Marine ConservationSociety and Precisions Identification led the

biological methods and taught helpers how to attachanchors made out of iron onto the eelgrass shoots at

Hecate Park boat launch.Anchors will hold theeelgrass roots in place underground and give them a

chance to establish and spread by seed and rhizomesOn Saturday, many volunteers stayed longer thanthey had originally signed up for, enjoying the

personal satisfaction of knowing they arecontributing to bringing back a vital marine

ecosystem.

WHY IS EELGRASS IMPORTANT?

Among the richest and most productive of allbiotic communities, eelgrass provides a diversityof habitats for marine life:

80% of commercially important fishdepend on eelgrass during part of theirlifecycle

Pacific herring and smelts deposit theireggs on eelgrass blades

Birds, fish, crabs, snails and several otherorganisms depend on eelgrass for foodand shelter

Eelgrass helps to slow coastline erosion

For more info: www.seachangelife.net/index.html

Funders: BC Conservation Foundation, Pacific Salmon Foundation and CVRD

Eelgrass planted with 1m spacing Taken during transplant by: Jamie SmithCoastal Photography Studio


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In Memory of Charles Poole

A Debt of Gratitude

By John Scull

Charles Poole was a Director of theCowichan Land Trust from 1996 untilhe resigned, for health reasons, in2007. He passed away this March.As I consider the loss of my friend andassociate, my principle emotion isgratitude, for his friendship, humour,integrity, and good will, and for histremendous contribution to ourorganization and to conservation inthe Cowichan region.

His deep understanding of business

and accounting resulted in the LandTrust acquiring a reputation forintegrity and financial responsibilitywith our supporters, local government,and other conservancies and landtrusts. He took a lead role as theLand Trust representative on thecommittee to purchase the CowichanGarry Oak Preserve, assisted with thepurchase of the Holland Creek TrailCorridor, and took an active role in all

our conservation activities andprojects.

Charles is an example to all of us,showing the importance of contributingour skills and our time to thecommunity. Through his work at theLand Trust he has left a lasting legacyin the community and in the hearts ofthose of us who were privileged towork with him.

AGM Notice:

When: SEPTEMBER 17th , 7pm

Where: Cowichan Land Trust

Office: 55 Station St, Duncan

SO YA WANNA BE IN A STEWARDGROUP?

Our community outreach during this summer has unveiledsome of the barriers that locals face when they try to protectnature. The main barriers that we identified are lack of:

technical expertise, time, funding, support from organizations/ municipalities and neighborhood coordination. In order tohelp break down these barriers, we are now focusing onstarting, revitalizing and supporting environmentalstewardship groups.

In order to supportcommunityenvironmentalstewardship groups, wewill be contacting

various groups andindividuals who wantto start groups and

begin identifying theirconcerns and visions.We will be providingworkshops to facilitatedialogue, coordination, technical skills, resources, andplanning. We also hope to help create a commonunderstanding of the human and biological community.

Workshops will be provided based on the needs of groups. Ifyou already are, or want to be in a stewardship group andwould like support please contact the office at: 250-746-0227.Please stay tuned to www.naturecowichan.net for workshopannouncements.

STREAMKEEPERS COURSE OCT 4 & 5

Come learn the skills required to evaluate, measure andmonitor your local potentialfish-bearing streams! The

workshop runs from 9am-4pmeach day, with instructor DaveClough. Lunch provided. Moreinfo available at www.pskf.ca.Participants are asked to donate$60 at the time of registrationand they can purchase theStreamkeepers Manual for adiscount price of $20. Sponsorfor this program: PCAF


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Creekside Landowners Restoring Fish Habitat

Nature Cowichan NetworkOur new logo shows that the Cowichan

Land Trust is a partner in the NatureCowichan Network, an informalcooperative organization created by theCowichan Valley Naturalists Society.

The first activity of the Nature CowichanNetwork has been the creation of a webportal at www.NatureCowichan.net .

We encourage our members to consult thewebsite often to learn about local nature-

enjoyment and conservation activities.An attractive fundraising card has beencreated to be distributed to visitorsthrough the local hospitality industry. It ishoped that Nature Cowichan will becomean effective fundraising tool for localconservation groups. Our members andothers are invited to contributesuggestions, information for the guides,events, and digital pictures for the slideshow. To make suggestions or ask

questions, email

[email protected]

The Cowichan Land Trust has visited 25 landholders so far this summer (for the Stewardship SupportProject) and met some amazing stewards who we truly respect for their contribution to protectingvaluable ecological features. Sometimes the properties are so wildly beautiful we go into a state of aweand need to be pinched. Other times, peoples dreams for improving their neighborhoods

environmental health leave us wishing we had a magic wand:Poof- your invasive species are gone- presto!

Porter Creek offers one situation where we hope to wave afunded wand to assist locals in creating a side-channel for fishhabitat near the mouth of the creek. The area has a natural coverof creek side vegetation to drool over and despite their busy lives,the property owners are continuing a restoration project that hasincluded a management plan in 1996, salmonid habitatassessment and restoration plan in 1999, side channel design in2000 and a vegetation prescription in 2005. They are eco-heroes!

A Message from the President

At the beginning of May our Board of Directors startedcreating a Five Year Plan for the Land Trust.

This plan is built on the following Mission Statement

that your Board adopted shortly after the last AnnualGeneral Meeting:

We help to take care of the land and water in theCowichan Valley for the benefit of all life in thefuture. We do this by acquiring land, entering intoconservation agreements, and by providingeducation and support to individuals and othergroups who are caring for the land.

Our Five Year Vision: To become recognized

within five years as a key partner in the acquisitionof land to enhance the quality of the human andnatural environment in the Cowichan Valley.

Stewardship Support Project Funders: Vancouver Foundation, Pacific Salmon

Foundation,BC Transmission Corporation, Habitat Conservation Trust Fund

ThankstoourVolunteers!

the cowichan land trust steward - summer 2008

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