The Chef Survival 3: Quest For The Golden Broccoli on October 3 from 12 to 5 p.m. is a catered fundraiser to help provide funding to support this innovative model. A culinary arts performance of epic proportions. Come and watch 20 of the Islands’ BEST Chefs engage in a boot camp style obstacle course: haystack hurdles, irrigation pipe crawl, climbing wall, balancing beam over mud pit, boat race to Condiment Island. Chefs will race over 27 acres picking the vegetables they need to create masterpieces for this year’s food auction. New to the event “What’s on the Plate Mate?” where contestants from the audience will be invited on stage, seated at a dressed dinner table and blindfolded while they taste and identify ingredients from dishes prepared by our “secret chef”. Winner to be crowned as “Foodie Connoisseur of the Year”. Tickets are $75 (*$35 of the donation are eligible for a charitable tax receipt from TLC) 10% of ticket price goes to the Island Chef Collaborative (ICC), a local group who assist in directing funds to new farmers. 90% of your ticket price goes to TLC’s agriculture program to help provide funding to repeat the model elsewhere in B.C. This is a foodie event you won’t want to miss! Tickets are available at the Madrona farm gate, 4317 Blenkinsop Road, Wednesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or online.

To learn more about The Importance of Biodiversity and Sustainable Agriculture, check out Nathalie Chambers documentary.

Wildwood by Jade Vovers

Misconceptions and misinformation about TLC’s Wildwood Ecoforestry Site continue to spread through various blogs and websites. It is disappointing that such misinformation would be copied and spread from blog to blog without any attempt to check facts or verify the validity of the story. TLC was never contacted by any of these individuals to comment on the story or provide details. TLC would like to reiterate our original message setting out the facts about our management of Wildwood.

In recent days there have been stories regarding the Wildwood Ecoforestry Site.  These stories, initiated by members of Merv Wilkinson’s family, under Merv’s name, have made several accusations about TLC’s stewardship of the site.  Specifically, they have claimed that TLC is not living up to its commitment that this site would be protected in perpetuity as an ecoforestry and educational site, and that, rather, TLC views this site as a park.   As evidence of these claims, they point to the fact that TLC has only made one minor cut (of 8 trees) on the site since we took on responsibility.  They also claim that TLC is not fully protecting the site, as it has not put a conservation covenant on the property.  In response to this, they say that they want to buy back their property.

These stories have, understandably, caused concern among some of our members and others who have supported Merv’s work at Wildwood and want to see it continue.  We at TLC are equally upset at the claims and interpretations that are being made, and we hope that the following facts will reassure everyone – including Merv’s family – that TLC is fully honouring its commitments and has only the best interests of Wildwood, Merv and Merv’s legacy at heart.

TLC cherishes and celebrates the work that Merv has accomplished at Wildwood.  At every opportunity, with everyone who visits the site, we tell his story, explain his work and show what can be done.  Ten years ago, Merv and his wife Anne – along with many community members – were very concerned that after they passed on Wildwood could fall victim to development pressures, and that Merv’s life work would be lost.  They approached TLC about conserving the property as an ongoing ecoforestry site and as a demonstration site where the techniques and principles that Merv developed could be documented, researched further and taught to others.  In purchasing the site, we made a firm commitment to honour those wishes.  That commitment remains as strong today as it was then.

Over the past ten years of our stewardship of the site we have worked closely with Merv.  He has been very much a part of the activities on site and in helping us make plans.  He would regularly meet with student groups and other visitors – telling his stories himself – until very recently when he became just too frail to continue to do so (he is, after all, 96 years old).  Our site manager – also an aspiring  ecoforester – has worked with Merv since before Wildwood was purchased, and has spent those years actively learning everything he could from Merv, both about Merv’s approach to ecoforestry and about Wildwood itself.

Fiddleheads at Wildwood. Photo by Jade Vovers

From the outset, and at Merv’s encouragement, we have also worked in partnership with the Ecoforestry Institute.  This group of Ecoforestry professionals, led by those whom Merv had inspired and taught, are responsible for the development of the forestry management plan for Wildwood.  While the plan itself has only recently been completed, considerable work has been done over the years to develop a forest inventory for the site, and to get to know the site.  This plan is the first comprehensive effort to document, quantify and structure the processes and strategies that Merv pioneered.  It has been a huge effort, done on a volunteer basis, by dedicated people who have spent countless hours developing it, and we are extremely grateful for their work.  Until this work was completed, and with the guidance of the Ecoforestry Institute, we took a very conservative approach to managing the forest – it was felt by the ecoforesters that both the timber supply and the forest health would benefit from us being cautious and proceeding slowly for a few years.  Thus, we have only done one small cut (and have taken out a few other individual trees) during the past ten years.  That’s not to say there hasn’t been debate and discussion amongst the ecoforesters themselves (including Merv) over the level of cuts that should be done.  It’s an inexact science, and it was our decision to proceed carefully until we had the full management plan in place.

But it is very important for everyone to understand that this cautious approach, and the lack of more extensive cutting does not mean, in any way, that our view of the site and its future has changed.  It has not.

With respect to the conservation covenant, it is also a matter of timing.  Most covenants address and protect the environmental values of the land, and restrict the use and activity on the site to protect those values.  In the case of Wildwood – an Ecoforestry Site – the issues to be addressed in a covenant are significantly more complex.  While we have had some discussions with potential covenant holders we have not yet worked out details.  Also, as the management plan for the site is still being finalized, it makes better sense to wait until this is done before putting a covenant in place.   The lack of a covenant does not, inherently put the property at risk.  TLC’s ownership and management of the site is by far the greatest level of protection.  However, we do want to develop a covenant for this site and will do so with our partners at the appropriate time in the near future.

Medicinal plant Heal All - Prunella vulgaris

And finally, with respect to the request from Merv’s family members to re-purchase the site, we have made it clear to them that this is not possible, even if we wanted to – which we don’t.  This matter was first raised with us in January.  Our Executive Director and our Board Chair met directly with Merv’s daughter and son-in-law, as well as Merv, and explained to them that because the property was purchased with donated funds, and because there were tax receipts and tax benefits involved, we do not have the legal ability to sell the property to private interests.  But, when we take a property under our care, we do have the ethical and moral responsibility to protect that property in perpetuity, to not expose it to undue risk, and to manage it to the best of our abilities according to the expectations of our partners, members and donors. 

We have to say that to sell the property (even to Merv’s family) would be a breach of the commitment we made to Merv and Anne and a breach of our responsibility.  At 96 and quite frail, Merv himself simply would not be taking care of Wildwood.  Its management and its future would pass to others who are not accountable to anyone, and who cannot guarantee the protection of the site or of Merv’s legacy in perpetuity.

We have made it clear to Merv’s family (as it has always been clear to Merv himself) that we very much welcome them to be involved in the ongoing work at Wildwood.  It is disappointing that they chose to go the media instead.  We continue to welcome their involvement.

Located south of Fauquier on Lower Arrow Lake in the West Kootenay, this 112 acre property was donated to TLC in 2005 to protect significant ecological values. It contains mature forest stands in the Interior Cedar Hemlock zone, and wetlands and riparian areas along the property’s shoreline are important bird nesting and resting areas. This property contains a large maternal colony of approximately 1,500 Little Brown Bats, and is home to several species-at-risk including Townsend’s Big-eared Bat, Pacific gopher snake, and racer.

There are five classes of wetlands: bogs, fens, marshes, swamps, and shallow open water. Whether the sun draws a quiet line through the trees, or rain paints soft circles over the water, the stillness of these water bodies is deceiving. The health of the entire watershed relies on the reliability of the wetlands upstream.

Many plants that grow here are busy acting as natural filters. Wetlands are capable of absorbing heavy metals from polluted waters. In the marsh, nitrogen and phosphorous are soaked up to cleanse the water that flows (in a more purified form) downstream.

Like a giant sponge, the vegetation and soils in a wetland sop up rainwater and snowmelt. This provides a gradual yet steady supply of water for plants and animals and decreases the likelihood of downstream flooding.

Providing habitat for a variety of wildlife is another function of wetlands. The brushy edges provide protection for nesting birds and are common fish spawning grounds. Our local Painted Turtles at the Grohman Narrows wetland sun themselves on the pond-side rocks.

Humans have a history of dredging, draining, and ripping around the edges of these delicate ecosystems. Please be aware of wetlands, they are not to be messed with! We rely on them for clean groundwater and they provide essential habitat.

If you have a wetland on your property and would like to know more about how to restore or enhance its ecological features, please contact us.

This article was written by Emily Nilsen, TLC’s Terrestrial Stewardship Advisor in the Kootenay Region, and appeared in the Nelson Express newspaper on the importance of protecting habitat for plants, animals and natural communities. If you would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact Nilsen at enilsen@conservancy.bc.ca or 250-354-7345.

Rhubarb Chutney from Abkhazi Garden

 3600g chopped rhubarb                                   

3600 g sugar                                        

50 g molasses                                      

Mix and set overnight in the fridge. In the morning, strain and reserve liquid.

600 g raisins – add to strained rhubarb

720 g onion and 6 tsp. olive oil – sauté until translucent & slightly caramelized     

2700 g vinegar

600 g crystallized ginger

3 tsp. dried chilli flakes

6 T.  mustard seed

6 T.  tamarind concentrate

6 tsp. Fenugreek

6 tsp. mixed pickling spice in tea strainer

3 tsp. salt

Add all of this to the onions, along with the liquid reserved, cook gently bubbling until slightly thickened, candied and glossy.  (up to 1 hour)

Add rhubarb and raisin mixture to above and bring back to the boil.  Cook only a bit to slightly soften fruit.  Process in sterilized jars.  Yield:  7 quarts

Thousands of volunteer hours have transformed a once badly deteriorated space back into an elegant 1860s Dining Room for all to admire. The ornate mirror reflects the glow of a handsome oil-lamp, hanging over a dining table set for breakfast with period china. Dark Victorian furniture and an oriental carpet set off the classic wallpaper and heavy velvet drapes. Every detail is appropriate to the 1860s period in which the Villa was built, and represents an astonishing labour of love by a number of heritage professionals and skilled artisans and artists. Specialist craftspeople on the project have included an historic wallpaper designer, a retired paperhanger, a lath-and-plaster expert, a conservator, a heritage carpenter, a cabinet-maker, a heritage mason, and a textile specialist. But many more of the volunteers are everyday people with a love for heritage, all of whom have painstakingly scraped away the layers of paint and wallpaper, and restored the original baseboards, door, frames, floor, glass, and fireplace.

“TLC is extremely lucky to have such a wonderful group of dedicated volunteers,” says Deborah Hudson, TLC’s Vancouver Island Regional Manager. “A number of volunteers have been working weekly at the Villa for 10 years or more.”  

“Time: That’s what it took to make this room and project a success,” says professional conservator Simone Vogel-Horridge. “Restoring the plaster ceiling-rose alone probably took a hundred hours, with volunteers working on a scaffold at neck-breaking angles! And every Saturday you can find a volunteer working away methodically on a section of the Villa, and the results are breathtaking. When you walk into the Dining Room, it is like you are going to sit down for dinner with the Roscoes, the original family to occupy the home in 1865.”

Please join TLC’s Ross Bay Villa Labour Day Lawn Party on Monday, September 6, 1 – 4 p.m. Admission to the grounds and heritage group displays are free. Visitors may also enjoy a comprehensive tour of the Villa for an additional $7.00 and traditional ‘Cream Tea’ on the lawn for $7.00. Period 1800s music will also be provided by the Windrift Woodwind Quintet.

Ross Bay Villa is a rare 1865 colonial cottage, one of about a dozen buildings of this era known to survive in the Capital Region. Located at 1490 Fairfield Road in Victoria, this historic site is directly opposite historic Ross Bay Cemetery. TLC purchased the property in April 1999 rescuing it from demolition. Under professional guidance, a dedicated group of volunteers is bringing the building back to its 1865 appearance. TLC intends to restore the building as a multi-use facility including period rooms and interpretive displays open to the public, and office rental space for local heritage organizations. With the restoration nearly complete, the Old Cemeteries Society is poised to be the first group to move into one of the offices. The 1860s style garden will also be available for small gatherings such as weddings.

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For further information:

Heather Skydt, TLC Communications Manager, 604-733-2313, hskydt@conservancy.bc.ca

Bill Turner, TLC Executive Director, 250-479-8053, bturner@conservancy.bc.ca

Note to editors: interviews with volunteers available through TLC

Please visit our photo gallery of Ross Bay Villa.

Hikers on Mountain Mauel Quimper. Photo by Heath Moffatt

The Land Conservancy of BC (TLC), The Capital Regional District (CRD), and the Province of British Columbia are pleased to announce the first group of Western Forest Products lands have been purchased by the CRD.

2,350 hectares of land are being purchased for a total cost of $18.8 million, which will be paid in installments over three years. In the first installment, $3.2 million will go towards watershed lands paid for in full by CRD Integrated Water Services. The balance will be paid through a 65-35% cost sharing agreement, with CRD Regional Parks contributing $4 million through its Land Acquisition Fund and its partners contributing the balance, including $2 million from the provincial government and $250,000 from TLC.

Anicent forest near Sandcut Beach. Photo by Jade Vovers

In March 2010, an agreement in principle was announced for the CRD purchase of regional parks and watershed lands. With the agreement now signed, the CRD will take over management of lands adjacent to Sooke Potholes, parcels surrounding Weeks Lake in the Leech watershed, as well as Sandcut Beach in phase one of the transfer. A second parcel of land at Sandcut Beach will be transferred to the CRD ownership in August 2011. Parcels in Jordan River and remaining land near Sooke Potholes will be transferred in August 2012. Formal title transfer of the land will occur upon each installment payment.

“Acquisition of these lands includes major additions to the Sea to Sea Green Blue Belt, an innovative grassroots campaign that has been underway for decades to create a 11,500 hectare corridor of protected wilderness and parkland. Those parcels, along with the watershed lands, will help to further the CRD’s strategic priorities through protection of water, conservation of biodiversity and support of outstanding recreation,” said Geoff Young, CRD Board Chair.

“We recognize the importance of these lands to the people in the area and we are pleased to partner with the CRD and TLC to preserve these lands for future generations,” said Ben Stewart, Minister of Community and Rural Development.

Jordan River coastline. Photo by Heather Skydt

Sandcut Beach coastline. Photo by Heath Moffatt

The Land Conservancy launched the Wild Hills and Beaches Campaign to fulfill its commitment to the land purchase. “Sandcut Beach, Jordan River and the Sooke Hills are the definition of West Coast paradise. We are pleased to help complete the transfer of the first phase of these Western Forest Products lands thanks to the contributions from the Province of B.C. and co-founder of Thrifty Foods Alex Campbell,” says TLC’s Executive Director Bill Turner. “With these donations, plus many others, TLC now only requires just over $3 million to accomplish its part of the acquisition for the next two phases. We are encouraging all Islanders to join us and help make this parkland a reality by donating at www.conservancy.bc.ca or 1-877-485-2422.”

For more information please view our Frequently Asked Questions and our Jordan River Block Map, Sooke Potholes Block Map and Weeks Lake Block Map. 

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Note to editors: Photos, B-roll, and FAQs available upon request.

For further information, please contact:

Laurie Sthamann, Communications Coordinator, CRD Regional Parks

250.360.3332 | cell: 250.889.8030

lsthamann@crd.bc.ca

www.crd.bc.ca/parks

Bill Turner, Executive Director, The Land Conservancy of BC

250.589.8024

bturner@conservancy.bc.ca

The Horsefly River Riparian Conservation Area (HRRCA), located 25 km from the town of Horsefly, is one of TLC’s first acquisitions. The property was acquired in stages between 1999 and 2006 because the Horsefly River is one of B.C.’s most valuable sockeye salmon rivers. Together this 1,000-acre property represents almost 12 km of river shoreline along the mid-section of the Horsefly River Valley. Over the years, TLC has dedicated hundreds hours to restoring the site’s fish and wildlife habitat.

Nearly one-fourth of the Fraser River’s Sockeye Salmon run spawn at Horsefly. Photo Cornelius Iwan.

Currently, TLC is purchasing 56 acres of mixed wood forest along the Horsefly River that is of incredible strategic value for wildlife conservation, and wild salmon conservation in particular. This new acquisition removes a piece of private land that is between the HRRCA and Crown Land that was designated as a key wetland for moose, and an Old-growth Forest Management Area.

Moose can live 15-25 years, and weight as much as 700 kgs. Photo Cornelius Iwan.

When completed, this project will both increase the conservation value of the HRRCA and eliminate the possibility of future development along this section of the Horsefly River. TLC and its partners require $160,000 to protect this valuable salmon spawning river system.

Please make your donation today!

Sockeye spawning on the Horsefly. Photo by C. Iwan

All TLC Board Members are volunteers, and do not receive a salary for their service.  We are extremely fortunate – and appreciative – that members with such dedication, knowledge, experience and skills are willing to serve TLC in this way.

ELECTION RULES AND PROCEDURES

1.  Eligibility:  To be eligible to vote you must have been a member in good standing of TLC for six weeks prior to the mailing (or emailing) of the ballot.  The ballot was mailed on August 11, therefore you must have been a member in good standing on or before June 30.  If you have received a ballot in the mail, or a ballot ID and password by email, our records indicate that you are eligible to vote.

2.  Right to Vote:  Every eligible member has the right to cast one ballot.  On that ballot you may vote for any number of candidates up to the number of positions available.  In this case you may vote for up to six candidates.

2.1.  Family Memberships:  If you have a family membership, your family will receive TWO ballots (or two Ballot IDs and Passwords).  It is required, however, that two different members of the family cast one ballot each.  One member of the family may not cast two ballots.

2.2.  All Eligible Members Receive Ballot:  It is required that we send ballots to all eligible members. Even if you have requested that we send you nothing, we must still send you a ballot.

3.  Information about the Candidates:  Each candidate has provided a brief biography. You can view the biographies by clicking here:  Candidate Biographies.

4.  Instructions for Voting:

a)      Voting on-line:         If we currently have a valid email address for you in our membership database, you will have received an email containing a Ballot ID and a password, along with the address where you may cast your vote on line.  Please follow the instructions in the email – it is a simple process and secure.  Each Ballot ID will be allowed to vote only once.  Your choices of candidates will be recorded separately from your ID, so your choices will remain secret.

To be counted, your ballot must be cast no later than 5:00 pm on SEPTEMBER 15.

b)      Voting by mail:        If we do NOT have a valid email address for you, then you will receive a paper ballot and return envelope in the mail.  If you receive a paper ballot, you must vote by mail (you cannot vote on-line) in this election.  Instructions for voting are included with the package mailed to you, and are as follows:

• Detach the ballot from the ballot envelope.
• Clearly mark your choice(s) in the box to the left of the candidate’s name.
• Place the completed ballot in the ballot envelope and seal.
• Sign the voter verification form (which contains your name and address) on the signature line indicated. (If you have a family membership, and received two ballots, both voters should sign the form).
• Place the ballot envelope(s) (containing the completed ballot) and the voter verification form inside the return envelope, seal and mail.
• Your ballot must be received at TLC Head Office no later than 5:00 pm on SEPTEMBER 15.

Please note:  the voter verification form provides a place for you to provide us with your email address.  This will allow you to vote on-line in future elections.  This process is simpler and faster, and saves TLC considerable money in printing and mailing costs.  We encourage you to provide your email address to us, if you have one.

5.  Counting the Ballots and Notification of Results:  When your ballot is received, we will verify that it is an eligible ballot, and that you have not yet voted (this is what the verification form is for).  Your ballot envelope will be placed, unopened in a ballot box which will be kept in a secure location.  Once the deadline for return of ballots has passed, all of the ballot envelopes will be opened, and the ballots counted.  The electronic voting site will be disabled after the polls close on September 15, and the information will be recovered under the supervision of the returning officer.  Once the paper ballots have been counted, the results will be added together with results of the electronic ballots.

The final results will be posted on TLC’s website at www.conservancy.bc.ca by September 18.  They will also be announced at the Annual General Meeting.  All of this will be done under the direction and supervision of the Returning Officer.

6.  Questions and Information:  Should you have any further questions, or require additional information, please contact IAN FAWCETT at TLC Head Office at 1-877-485-2422 or at ifawcett@conservancy.bc.ca. 

TLC’s Annual General Meeting will be held this year on Saturday, September 25 from 1 to 4 p.m.  The AGM will be held at St. Stephen’s Hall, 7921 St. Stephen’s Lane, Saanichton.

Medicinal plant Heal All - Prunella vulgaris

Wildwood’s upcoming workshops will be from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm on August 15, 2010, November 21, 2010, March 27, 2011, and July 17, 2011.

These four workshops are intended to increase your comfort at identifying plants whether for using edible plants or enhancing your experiences in natural settings. The focus of the workshops will be on trees and shrubs including many edible species. We will look at leaves, buds, bark, fruit, form and habitat to know plants better.

These workshops are designed for those new to identification of native plants – though those with some basic knowledge will also find them useful.

Registration required. Please contact Jay Rastogi, TLC’s Wildwood Site Manager, at 250-816-1816 for more information and to register.

TLC members $20/workshop

Non-members $25/workshop

For more information please visit www.slowfoodcyclesunday.com

Photo By: Daris Piper TLC Volunteers and Tinhorn Creek Vineyard Staff Enjoy a Hard Earned Lunch

The South Okanagan-Similkameen Stewardship Program and TLC joined forces with Tinhorn Creek Vineyards in the summer of 2004 to rehabilitate a small area of antelope-brush habitat that was once natural on the Tinhorn Creek  winery property. The site was planted with over 600 shrubs, wildflowers, and bunchgrasses. The project objective was to provide additional wildlife habitat, but also to showcase the potential for landowners to effectively re-establish a natural, dryland plant community.

 On Friday July 23, 2010, TLC volunteers and Tinhorn Creek staff returned to the site, this time to do some much needed weeding. The hardworking crew removed 60 extra large garbage bags filled with invasive plants. Volunteers enjoyed lunch and beverages provided by the Tinhorn Creek Vineyards.

 Thank-you to everyone who came out to give us a helping hand!

Visit the grounds – free heritage displays.

Tea & Scones served on the lawn – $7.

Guided house tours – $7.