Wildwood Forest has been purchased and protected by The Land Conservancy of BC since December 2000. It provides powerful inspiration for the development of a sustainable land use ethic.

Our primary purpose at Wildwood is to operate it as a learning and research site, where those who want to can learn eco forestry principles and practices.

Book your space in one of Wildwood’s workshops today by calling 1-888-738-0533 or online at conservancy.bc.ca.

This acquisition was made possible by a unique partnership made up of TLC, Mr. Carl Boyd, a local resident, and the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program. Carl Boyd was a long time resident of the Robson Valley (he passed away in 2006). The extensive wilderness and striking beauty of the Robson valley drew Carl and his wife Natasha to retire there in 1973. After Natasha’s death in 1999, Carl decided that the best way to honour her life as an avid naturalist, wilderness advocate, and wildlife artist would be to purchase land conservation purposes. Together we were able to purchase almost 65 hectares (160 acres) of low lying wetlands and upland forests that is located approximately 15 km south east of McBride.

The upland forests of paper birch, trembling aspen, white and black spruce, lodgepole pine and western red cedar surround clusters of inter-connected wetlands. This area was carefully selected for conservation in recognition of the inherent value and increasing rarity of wetlands throughout BC. The purchase of this property ensures that a valuable wetland area will remain as a vibrant functioning part of the Robson Valley

This donation was formally recognized during a community celebration at the community hall in Dunster in March of 2004. This ceremony included the unveiling the sign that is now housed adjacent to the property on Highway 16, speeches by local residents and partnering organizations, and a general celebration of the life and memory of Natasha Boyd. The official unveiling of the sign that commemorates the establishment of the Natasha Boyd Wetland Conservation Area in the Robson Valley occurred at the Baker Creek Rest Area on October 30, 2004.

We are currently working with the Fraser Headwaters Alliance to fulfill Mr. Boyd’s vision of making this site available to the public by carefully planning a system of trails and interpretative signs.

For nine-year-old Ben Davidson inspiration comes from admiring the Skaha Bluffs every day from his home in Kaledon, B.C. This same picturesque landscape also led him to collect $64.01 for TLC from his friends at his recent birthday party.

Having hiked the Bluffs several times with his family, Ben’s parents spoke to him about TLC’s acquisition of the Bluffs and it hit home with him. During Ben’s party his parents told the kids about the Skaha Bluffs, TLC, and showed them first-hand where their contributions were going.

Ben is excited that his donation will help to protect other natural areas around the Okanagan or in B.C. Thanks Ben!

An afternoon at Abkhazi Garden, located at 1964 Fairfield Road in Victoria, features resident ducks Molly and Murray as they enjoy the garden with their young ones.

Shot and edited by Cassie O’Neil (antlerlash.com) for The Land Conservancy of BC
Music by Mister Tahti

The South Okanagan Rehabilitation Centre for Owls celebrated Houdini’s 12th birthday with its annual Open House. The event and garage sale raised funds to assist with building a new clinic on TLC’s Eagle Bluff property, while providing an opportunity for the public to tour of the facilities, flight pens as well as a chance to meet Houdini, a Great Horned Owl, and Pilot, a Burrowing Owl.

The Sooke Potholes are amongst southern Vancouver Island’s best-known treasures, and their glory can be traced back 15,000 years to the last ice age.  During this period, known as the Fraser Glaciation, ice formed on the mountain peaks of Vancouver Island and gradually merged with other glaciers to form large ice sheets that covered the island. 

As the ice began to melt at the end of the glacial period, debris-strewn melt-water trapped under the masses of retreating ice cut deep paths in the underlying bedrock.  All along what is now the Sooke River, large boulders were jostled around in the crevasses carved by the ice and melt-water, weathering a series of smoothly polished geologic formations, or potholes.   

During the 1980s and 1990s, the Sooke Potholes were subject to several development proposals, all of which would have compromised both public access and the fragile ecology of the area.  In 2004, when the Sooke Potholes were court ordered for sale, TLC jumped at the chance to save this pristine property.  In partnership with the Capital Regional District, TLC took ownership of a 5-kilometre stretch alongside the Sooke River and the Sooke Potholes Campground in March 2005, and at the same time the CRD turned the remaining 55 hectares into a regional park. 

The only bad thing about the Sooke Potholes Regional Park is that it you can’t spend the night.  TLC’s Sooke Potholes Campground, however, allows visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of the area without having to leave when it gets dark. 

Open from May to September each year, the campground is a favourite for locals and tourists alike.  On the west, the Sooke Potholes Campground is bordered by the vibrant Sooke River, a vital salmon spawning area that features both Coho and Chinook salmon runs.  On the east, the campground is bound by the Galloping Goose Regional Trail, a 55-kilometer multi-use route that connects Victoria to Sooke. 

In between these borders, the campground features the remnants of an old-growth Douglas-fir forest, as well as Pacific yew, Garry oak and Meadow death-camas trees, and several listed plant species.  The area also serves as habitat for indigenous red squirrels, black-tailed deer, cougars, black bears and bald eagles.

Sooke Potholes Campsite

What better way to enjoy the glorious natural treasures of southern Vancouver Island than by camping at TLC’s Sooke Potholes Campground?  This year, the campground is open from May 18 to September 3, with 55 tent campsites and 10 RV campsites available.  For just $25 per night for tents and $30 per night for RVs, you can reserve a spot at this popular local destination.  Plus, TLC members receive a 10 percent discount on bookings.  Take the opportunity to fish in the Sooke River, swim in the blue-green freshwater potholes, or hike along the marked trails in the surrounding wilderness of the park, and book your 2012 Sooke Potholes Campground adventure today.

For more information or to book your holiday at TLC’s Sooke Potholes Campground, visit our website, email us at enterprises@conservancy.bc.ca, or call us at 250-383-4627 or 1-888-738-0533.  You can also visit TLC’s Flickr page, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter @potholescamping and @tlc4bc.

Volunteers, Regional District of the Okanagan-Similkameen and The Land Conservancy of BC will team up during the week of May 14 for an annual clean-up of the Max Lake covenant property.  Projects will include removing yard waste as well as invasive species management.  If you are interested in volunteering for this project, contact Alyson Skinner for more details at askinner@conservancy.bc.ca.

Held at The Noodle Box’s seven locations in Victoria and Vancouver, the event wildly surpassed the goal of $1500. TLC would like to send out a special thanks to The Noodle Box, Phillips Brewing Co., and their customers for supporting our Earth Day celebrations and the work TLC does year round to protect BC’s special places.

Gardens that Heal; Exploring Nature Close to Home

What is it that makes gardens and natural landscapes so important to our health and wellness? Join Ann Kent, a master horticultural therapist and keen naturalist to explore ways in which gardens and nature support human well-being. This workshop includes hands-on components – please dress for spring weather. Bring along a pair of garden gloves and a sturdy bag or small bin to take home a plant project.

Saturday, May 26, 2012, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Cost:  $25 for non-members, $20 for TLC members

Worm Composting Workshop

Wiggling worms are essential to any garden, but how about as a means to compost your table scraps? This workshop will introduce the basics of vermicomposting, also known as worm composting. Participants will learn how to set up their own worm bin and how to care for their worms. The workshop is ideal for individuals who would like to produce their own compost for vegetable or ornamental gardens. Worm composting also allows food to be diverted from the landfill by feeding it to worms.

Saturday, June 2^nd, 2012, 10.30 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. Cost:  $40 for non-members, $35 for TLC members. Price includes a worm bin, ½ pound of red wriggler worms, and bedding for worms.

Estate Estate in full bloom. Photo by Heather Skydt

The Eagles Estate Heritage Garden, spanning 1.6 acres, was developed by esteemed Burnaby residents Drs. Blythe and Violet Eagles for over 60 years. They built the Edwardian-style home on the site in 1929 and the garden was started with a landscape plan by Frank E. Buck, pioneer Canadian horticulturist. Currently, TLC works in partnership with the City of Burnaby to restore the heritage garden with the help of many volunteers. Visitors are welcome in the garden year round. The interpretive centre is open from May to September, during regular office hours.

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

For those of you on Vancouver Island, there are many options to explore.  Abkhazi Garden is a year-round mom-approved favourite, and Mother’s Day weekend is no exception.  On Saturday, May 12, bring your mom to the garden for the Victoria Rhododendron Society’s annual plant sale.  The society will be selling a selection of rhododendra that is not available in nurseries, providing you with the opportunity to buy a truly unique plant for your truly unique mother.

Saturday also brings an opportunity to see history in the making at the Gonzales Observatory.  Between 10 am and noon, you and your mom can watch TLC volunteers painstakingly recreate a replica of an 1860s oilcloth that features an intricate pattern in six colours.  Once the extensive processes of silk screening, stencilling, hand graining and hand painting are complete, the oilcloth will grace the front entrance hall of TLC’s 1860s heritage property, Ross Bay Villa.  In addition, you can buy your mom a gift that will be preserved through time: for just $10, you can purchase a square of the replica oilcloth. Your mom will be able to write messages or draw pictures underneath her oilcloth square for future generations to discover.  Admission is by donation; don’t miss out on the opportunity to make this piece of living history a part of your family’s history.

If you think your mom is the bee’s knees, why not take her for a guided walk to learn about native pollinators?  As part of their educational series, Keating Farm Estate is offering a tour to learn how to encourage natural habitat for native pollinators, like bees.  This Mother’s Day experience will keep on giving: in addition to enjoying a walk at the estate near Duncan, you and your mom will gain essential background knowledge for the upcoming bee keeping demonstration and discussion at Keating Farm Estate on September 9.

Mother’s Day doesn’t just happen on Vancouver Island; TLC has exciting adventures all over the province.  For those of you in the Lower Mainland, Eagles Estate Heritage Garden in Burnaby is the perfect Mother’s Day destination.  Based on a 1937 plan by renowned horticulturist Frank E. Buck, this exquisite heritage garden features terraces, trenches, ponds, and a variety of mature trees and shrubs, including Japanese maples, magnolias, deciduous azaleas and rhododendra.  Now part of Deer Lake Park, Eagles Estate is open from dawn to dusk every day; make sure to add it to your Mother’s Day to-do list. 

For those health-conscious moms amongst us, Fort Shepherd Conservancy Area near Trail is just what the doctor ordered.  Spanning an 8-kilometre stretch along the Columbia River, this conservancy area presents limitless possibilities for running, hiking, and trail rides on horseback, in addition to providing a splendid backdrop for a laidback Mother’s Day picnic.  Further, this ecologically diverse and vital area is also chock-full of historical significance.  Although the fort itself was destroyed in a fire in 1872, you can take your mom to visit the site of an 1858 Hudson’s Bay Company fort, which was a primary stop during the Kootenay Gold Rush. 

Your mom is a celebrity in your family – how about treating her to a glimpse of authentic, olden-time luxury aboard the S.S. Moyie in Kaslo?  Open daily from 9 to 5, the S.S. Moyie is a testament to the history of the Kootenay.  From 1898, when the S.S. Moyie first began servicing the Nelson-Kootenay Landing Route on behalf of the Canadian Pacific Railway, until her retirement from service in 1957, the S.S. Moyie has seen it all.  Now restored to her original condition, this grand vessel is a living museum of the sights, sounds and smells of the turn of the twentieth century.

Skaha Bluffs photo by Howie Richardson

Celebrate your mom’s youth with a visit to some of BC’s oldest rocks.  Located just south of Penticton on the east side of Skaha Lake, the Skaha Bluffs have been weathered and compressed over time to become a world-class rock-climbing destination.  Now part of a Class A Provincial Park, the bluffs are also home to a variety of indigenous species at risk, from sheep to birds, and snakes to bats.  If your mom is feeling adventurous, she can attempt the bluffs herself.  Otherwise, you can enjoy the towering cliffs, rugged terrain, and diverse wildlife from the safety of the ground.

If you like to plan ahead, TLC’s Sooke Potholes Campground, Cabin Rentals, and Conservation Holidays could be next on your agenda.  To book an adventure or to purchase an Explore BC gift certificate, call TLC at 1-888-738-0533 or email enterprises@conservancy.bc.ca.   

For more information for these and other TLC events and locations, give us a call at 1-877-485-2422, check us out on YouTube and Flickr, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

Chocolate AND conservation – two of our favourite things! Brooks Point is one of many conservation projects undertaken by TLC. As Shaw TV’s Karen Elgersma discovers, it’s not just chocolate lilies that make the landscape beautiful… but actual chocolate! Thanks to Poets Cove Resort and Spa as well as Purdy’s Chocolate for supporting this project.

Donate to save Brooks Point today!

TLC’s members, donors and volunteers have all played a key role in our successes to date and the many more still to come. We can’t thank our supporters enough for stepping up to save B.C.’s special places. It’s people like you who make a difference – it’s People Protecting Places.

Be sure to check out TLC’s Timeline to see some of the incredible places you’ve helped to save over the years. ]]> http://blog.conservancy.bc.ca/2012/05/celebrating-15-years-of-people-protecting-places/feed/ 0 http://blog.conservancy.bc.ca/2012/05/15-ways-to-get-outdoors-and-celebrate-with-tlc/ http://blog.conservancy.bc.ca/2012/05/15-ways-to-get-outdoors-and-celebrate-with-tlc/#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 19:00:00 +0000 hskydt http://blog.conservancy.bc.ca/?p=12204 Happy Birthday TLC.  Happy Birthday to all our members, donors, volunteers and partners. Now let’s get outdoors and experience TLC! The more people that expereince the powerful connection between nature, our heritage, and local food, we believe it will create a ripple effect in communities across this province – inspiring people of all ages to be the change they want to see in the world.

Visit a TLC Site and Interact with B.C.’s Protected Places

• Heritage Farm Demonstrations, Duncan
  

  Apple picking at Keating Farm Estate

Join Keating Farm Estate’s guided tours every second Sunday of the month at 2 p.m. (May to November). Tours will be followed by varying farm demonstrations or a guided walk. Tours can also be arranged by appointment.

• Living Love Story: Abkhazi Garden, Victoria

Take a stroll through the garden that love built and enjoy lunch or afternoon tea in the restaurant. Created in 1946 by Prince and Princess Abkhazi, this historic site is famous for its towering rhododendrons and majestic Garry oaks. Open daily 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• Camp along the Sooke River, Vancouver Island

Crisp waters flow within the deep crevice carved by receding glaciers 15,000 years ago. The Sooke Potholes is well known for its distinctive geology, clear waters, and wild scenery. TLC’s Sooke Potholes campground opens May 18, 2012.

• Explore the Fort Shepherd Conservancy Area, near Trail

Running for more than 8 km along the Columbia River, Fort Shepherd Conservancy Area is integral to the local people who fish, hike, ride horses, and picnic on the property. TLC recognizes the importance of these activities and encourages activities that are compatible with the natural and cultural values of the property.

• Rock Climb in the South Okanagan Valley at Skaha Bluffs, Penticton

  

  Skaha Bluffs photo by Howie Richardson

Skaha Bluffs Conservation Area is 759 acres of open Ponderosa pine forests, grasslands, riparian forest, rugged terrain and towering cliffs. In 2008, TLC helped to secure permanent access to the neighbouring Provincial Park, home to Skaha Bluffs, a world-class climbing destination.

• Visit the S.S. Moyie, Kalso

The S.S. Moyie is the world’s oldest intact passenger sternwheeler and awaits all who want to step back in time and experience life at the turn of the last century. The sights, sounds and smells have all been recreated aboard this grand vessel.

• Walk Deer Lake Park and Stop by Eagles Estate Heritage Garden, Burnaby

Spanning 1.6 acres Eagles Estate Heritage Garden was developed by esteemed Burnaby residents Drs. Blythe and Violet Eagles for over 60 years. They built the Edwardian-style home on the site in 1929 and the garden was started with a landscape plan by Frank E. Buck, pioneer Canadian horticulturist. Currently, TLC works in partnership with the City of Burnaby to restore the heritage garden with the help of many volunteers. Visitors are welcome in the garden year round. The interpretive centre is open from May to September, Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 p.m.

• Take a Conservation Holiday and Learn New Skills, Meet New People
  

  The hardworking crew on a Conservation Holiday on South Winchelsea Island, photo by Nicole Haddad.

TLC’s Conservation Holidays offer affordable, inspirational, and environmentally friendly getaway options. Learn conservation skills and immerse yourself in B.C.’s most beautiful and eco-sensitive locations. Meals and accommodation included.

• Rent TLC Cottages and Show your Support While Relaxing

Book yourself into one of TLC’s holiday cottages. Experience our ocean-front Monks Point Park Cabin in Tofino, our architectural marvel Baldwin House in Burnaby, or our private South Winchelsea Island Cottage, and other unique locations.

Event Listings: A Sample of Happenings in Support of TLC’s Conservation Work

• Bottles for Greenspace 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Elk Lake Regional Park, Brookleigh Road parking lot, Victoria May 26 & 27, July 7 & 8, September 8 & 9, 2012
• May 13 – Mother’s Day Brunch Abkhazi Garden, Victoria. Seatings at 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. Treat mom to a buffet brunch at the garden. Reservations being taken now 250-598-8096. Adults $27 + tax Children <12 $15 + tax. Did you know? Abkhazi Garden now serves breakfast Saturday and Sunday 8 – 11 a.m.
• June 2 – Sipping Wild Teas Wildwood Ecoforest, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. near Ladysmith on Vancouver Island. Many wild plants make great herbal infusions. This workship will be a plant ID primer and a tasting session so bring your cup! TLC members $25, Non-members $35 (registration required). For details call Jay at 250-816-1816 or email jrastogi@conservancy.bc.ca 
• June 9 – TLC Members Picnic at the Potholes. Sooke Potholes Campground, Vancouver Island 1- 4:30 p.m. Bring your family and friends for an afternoon of free fun and food. Book a campsite and stay for the weekend!
• July 1 – Canada Day Lawn Party Ross Bay Villa, 1490 Fairfield Rd., Victoria. Come enjoy the grounds, buy some plants and check out the heritage exhibits. $12 for Cream Tea and Guided Tour. Year round tours of the Villa happen the 1st Saturday of every month at 2 p.m.
• 

  The studio of internationally-acclaimed artist B.C. Binning, photo by Christina Symons

  July 1 – Canada Day Open House BC Binning House, 2968 Mathers Cres., West Vancouver. Tour this National Historic Site and learn about why this unique example of early Modern Era architecture had a lasting impact on the work of artists and architects across Canada. For details call 604-733-2313.

AND one more for good luck!

• Tour Craigflower Manor and Schoolhouse, Victoria

Craigflower Manor and the Schoolhouse were built during the 1850s and were the mainstays of a thriving farm community operated under the auspices of the Hudson’s Bay Company. Located along the Gorge waterway in the Capital Region, both of these facilities are designated as National Historic Sites, important both to the local community and to Canada’s heritage.  The site is open for tours at 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, from May 1^st through to September 30^th, excluding holidays. Tours start at the Manor. Please call 250-386-1606.

For more information for these and other TLC events and locations, give us a call at 1-877-485-2422, visit our website conservancy.bc.ca, check us out on YouTube, Flickr, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

It’s the people, places, and stories that have made TLC what it is today: B.C.’s leading land trust. To commemorate the occasion, TLC is celebrating five citizens – Jessie Binning, Winnie Bennie, Norma Lohbrunner, Bill Laux, and Dale Lehman – who took action for B.C.’s special places.

Moving forward, TLC will continue to provide experiences for current and future British Columbians to connect with nature, our heritage, and local food. We believe our shared love of B.C.’s special places will inspire people of all ages to be the change they want to see in the world.

Jessie Binning in Garden at B.C. Binning House.

Lower Mainland Region:

A Champion of West Coast Modernism: Jessie Binning (1906 – 2007)

While many have heard of the artist Bertram Charles (B.C.) Binning, fewer know the story of his wife, Jessie Isabel Binning, who was an important figure in the protection of TLC’s Binning House and the emerging culture of West Coast modernism. Jessie married B.C. Binning in 1935 and by 1941 they settled into a modernist West Vancouver house designed by her husband.

Jessie is remembered by many, including architect Arthur Erickson, as a patient and charming hostess during dinners or fireside chats. Friends considered her style elegant and remember her enjoyment of fashionable attire. 

After Bert’s untimely death in 1976, Jessie could have easily sold the house, but she decided to keep it as a living showpiece of modernism. She felt so strongly about its preservation that she made provisions in her Will to gift the house to a conservation group. Jessie lived in the house until her passing at the age of 101. TLC became the owner of the Binning House in September 2008, and is honoured to fulfill Jessie’s vision of having it appreciated as a National Historic Site.

Winnie Bennie

The Nimpo Lake Cabin: Preserving the Vision of Naturalist Winnie Bennie (1927 – 2007)

In 2002, long-time Williams Lake resident and avid naturalist Winnie Bennie made a generous gift to nature lovers. Winnie’s rustic one-room Nimpo Lake Cabin is situated on one of B.C.’s premiere fishing lakes 300 km west of Williams Lake, and is now a TLC rental cottage with a long and cherished past.

Winnie and her husband Fred lived in Williams Lake for most of their adult lives, and purchased the Nimpo Lake property in the early 1950s. Fred, with the help of friends, built the cabin in Williams Lake and then had it moved out to Nimpo Lake. By the early 1960s, they were regular summer visitors, spending their time canoeing, fishing, and, in particular, viewing wildlife.

Throughout her life, Winnie found solace in the outdoors, and was a keen birder. Due to her passion for wildlife and sense of place, Winnie wished for the property to remain undeveloped, and to be enjoyed by other nature enthusiasts. Today, a handful of adventurous members and donors retreat annually to the rugged beauty that surrounds Nimpo Lake.

Vancouver Island Region:

The Personality of Norma Lohbrunner (1927 – 2011)

Norma Lohbrunner

Norma Lohbrunner moved onto her 40-acre farm in Langford after she married her husband Joseph in 1945. Over the years, Norma and Joseph raised cattle and grew a variety of crops on the land. Joseph had a great passion for birds, and he regularly brought them into the kitchen to feed them. After Joseph passed away in 1968, Norma was adamant to find a way to uphold his wish that the land never be developed.

Norma’s determination was just as well known as her baking skills. She was notorious for her dislike of the grey squirrels that frequently trespassed onto her property to eat the birdseed she left out. Norma kept a close watch though, and was quite successful in protecting food for the birds.

Norma loved her property greatly and held a dual vision for it. She wished that the forest remain an untouched sanctuary for her beloved bird community, and that the farmland remain as a valuable local food-producing resource. TLC is honoured that Norma has entrusted us to carry out her vision through a life estate. The land will remain protected forever as the Joseph Lohbrunner Farm and Ecological Reserve.

Kootenay Region:

Bill Laux and His Castle of Bats (1925 – 2004)

On May 25, 2005, the term “bats in the belfry” took on a new meaning for TLC. On that date, TLC took possession of a 112-acre property near Fauquier, BC which included a hand-built “castle” with a tower full of bats.

The property, now known as the Laux Property, was left to TLC in the estate of Bill Laux, an American draft-dodger who lived with his wife, Adele, on the property since 1962. After buying the property on the shores of Arrow Lake, Bill and Adele apprenticed to a batik printmaker and began to craft hundreds of individually pressed rammed-earth bricks.

Sadly, Adele died suddenly in 1967 following complications from a minor surgical procedure. Adele’s death affected Bill quite deeply and he never remarried. He did, however, continue to work on his “castle” which would eventually be a six-story, one-of-a-kind structure.

Prior to his death in October of 2004, Bill wanted to ensure that his property would be protected. In addition to safeguarding the mature forest and waterfront, Bill was most concerned that the maternal colony of Little Brown Bats that had taken up residence in the tower of the castle would be protected.

Unfortunately, Bill’s castle burned down in February of 2010; thankfully, it was winter and the bats were not present. The bats have since relocated to other buildings on the property. TLC is working with local bat biologists to build and install new bat “condos” on site to provide permanent habitat for the bat colony. Bill left a diverse legacy to British Columbia and TLC, and we acknowledge his gift every spring, when 1,500 bats return to the Laux Property.

Okanagan Region:

Much More Than a Forest: Dale Lehman

Lehman Springs Conservation Area

Some of British Columbia’s greatest treasures are hidden in the most unassuming places. On Highway 3, just west of the tiny community of Bridesville, a 60-acre stand of forest hides some of B.C.’s largest Western Larch trees and several naturally flowing springs. Saved from logging by a fortuitous mill strike, these 600-year-old trees remain standing in large part due to the vision and foresight of Dale Lehman.  

Dale was a second generation rancher in the Bridesville area. His father purchased 2,200 acres in the 1940s and the family ranched in the area for more than 60 years. When Dale and his wife Anita retired in 2001, they wanted to be sure that their forest would be protected in perpetuity. They donated their property, now known as Lehman Springs Conservation Area, to TLC in 2003.

Fire is always a threat for old forests. Since acquiring the property, TLC has been working to keep the forest as healthy as possible. We hope that in 100 years, Dale’s future relatives can visit the 700-year-old trees their family helped to protect.

For more information about TLC’s work, give us a call at 1-877-485-2422 or visit www.conservancy.bc.ca, check us out on YouTube, Flickr, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter. 

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For further information:

Bill Turner, TLC Executive Director, cell: 250-589-8024, email: bturner@conservancy.bc.ca

Heather Skydt, TLC Communications Manger, work: 604-733-2313, email hskydt@conservancy.bc.ca

This workshop will take place at Wildwood forest (Yellowpoint area close to Ladysmith and Nanaimo) on June 15th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $35 for TLC Members and $45 for non-members. Reservations are required, so please book your space today!

All a recipe for change requires is a little TLC and some special ingredients – Ingredients Health Food Store and Apple Café, that is.  In keeping with their environmentally conscious ideology and practice, Ingredients Health Food Store and Apple Café are donating a portion of their in-house “2% for the planet” program to TLC. 

Co-owners Cindy Dreger and Deanna Danychuk founded Ingredients in 2011 on principles of sustainability and environmental responsibility.  “We decided when we started this business that we want to do something to give back in a big way,” says Dreger.  In addition to encouraging patrons to bring glass containers for bulk products, Ingredients makes almond milk on site to avoid tetra-pak waste, and is about 95 per cent waste free.  Danychuk’s chickens and pigs take care of any food waste, and even the garbage man comes on bicycle. 

Ingredients’ in-house “2% for the planet” program is an extension of Dreger and Danychuk’s ideology, and according to Dreger, “TLC fits right in.”  Every six months, the staff at Ingredients and Apple Café vote on which three local eco-charities will be displayed in the store.  Each charity receives a glass jar and the opportunity to provide an info sheet.  For every $20 spent at Ingredients and Apple Café, customers receive a gem – valued at 40¢ – to put into the jar of the charity of their choice.  In giving customers a say in which charity will receive their donation, says Dreger, Ingredients is providing both financial support to worthy causes and an opportunity to learn about local charities.

The motto at Ingredients Health Food Store and Apple Café is “for love of the planet,” and TLC is happy to be part of that recipe.

TLC’s Sooke Potholes Campground opens for the season May 18th. Book a campsite and stay for the weekend or plan your summer holidays online or by calling 1-888-738-0533.

Wetlands of new protected area. Photo J. Hollinger

With a generous grant from the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund the first phase of the Clearwater Wetlands and Wildlife Corridor near Wells Gray Provincial Park has been completed. This project, initiated by long-time Clearwater Valley resident Trevor Goward, was two years in the making. Over that time, TLC worked with Trevor and his neighbours John and Edwina Kurta on a plan to secure over 75 acres of land to establish the first phase of a wildlife corridor in the Upper Clearwater Valley. 

As part of the first phase TLC have secured the most diverse assemblage of moonwort ferns in Canada, over 30 acres of wetland, and have established a protected wildlife corridor linking two sections of Wells Gray Provincial Park.

A delicate moonwort fern

  This is most certainly great cause for celebration. It is also a great motivator to help complete the future phases of the project. TLC and its partners would like to purchase a further 60 acres of land to help enhance the viability of this newly established corridor. To make a tax deductible donation, please call 1-877-485-2422 or visit our campaign page.

Since 2000, TLC members and guests have participated in a variety of conservation-oriented holidays that delivered on their promise to create life-long memories of an unforgettable time. According to TLC member and holiday regular Gord Almond, “it probably helps to have a sense of adventure,” but the experiences are worth it. Almond remembers “standing on the beach at South Winchelsea Island and watching a school of what must have been hundreds of porpoise go swimming by and . . . leaping out of the water as they travelled along.”

Guests choose Conservation Holidays for a variety of reasons. Almond enjoys the chance “to be part of a first-class organization and to experience how TLC can do so much with so little.” For Mike Duncan, who had just retired from the Air Force in 2009 when he first attended a Conservation Holiday, battling Himalayan blackberries on South Winchelsea Island presented an opportunity to de-stress. Further, says Duncan, “This eco-holiday experience [on South Winchelsea Island in 2009] has continued to bear fruit, as I have since joined Broom Busters and continue to wage war on our common foe [the Himalayan blackberry].”

Conservation Holidays present the opportunity to meet new people and to learn new skills. Duncan recalls participating in a diverse work party that included a university professor, two young Japanese tourists, and an octogenarian. Almond notes that Conservation Holidays are entertaining as well as educational. “Plus,” Almond says, “you have the bonus of passing on that education and impressing your friends with your newfound knowledge.”

Past Conservation Holidays have included building a wattle fence along the Cowichan River near TLC’s Cowichan River Cabin just outside of Duncan and completing restoration work at Hardy Mountain Doukhobor Village located one kilometre west of Grand Forks, B.C. For farm enthusiasts, TLC has offered the chance to experience sustainable agriculture techniques at Vancouver Island’s Foxglove and Grandview Farms. In February 2010, TLC’s construction-savvy guests took on the task of building a new boardwalk on South Winchelsea Island near Nanoose Bay.

South Winchelsea Island

However, just because a holiday focuses on conservation does not mean that it can’t be fun filled as well. In 2006, TLC immersed a group of kayakers in the beauty and diversity of the South Winchelsea Island ecological reserve, and balanced work and play with a weekend of conservation followed by a kilometres-long tubing adventure down the glorious Cowichan River.

This year is no exception. The adventures begin in June with the rebuilding of a foot bridge at TLC’s picturesque Monks Point Park, located a short ten-minute walk from the town of Tofino. In July, guests can help with the rebuilding of a shed at Wildwood Eco-forest near Ladysmith, the home of the late eco-forester Merv Wilkinson. This weekend holiday features a rustic, outdoor setting where guests can interact with a piece of Merv’s legacy.

In September, TLC is offering two more conservation adventures. The first features a week-long hands-on camping and construction project at Wildwood Eco-forest, which is a recognized model of eco-forestry that will be used as a learning site for students and visitors. TLC’s Conservation Holiday guests will have the chance to see the construction of a work/picnic structure that will form an integral part of the program at Wildwood from start to finish.

September will also see the return of the popular and recurring Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup on South Winchelsea Island. As part of this TLC favourite, guests will move amongst seals, river otters, mink, starfish, mussels and more as they clean up an impressive two-kilometre stretch of rocky shoreline.

If you are tired of the same-old resort or camping trip, one of TLC’s Conservation Holidays is the way to go. TLC  Members receive a 10% discount on bookings, and although space is limited, openings for this year’s holidays are available. For more information about these exciting adventures and all of TLC’s properties and events, please visit www.conservancy.bc.ca or call 1-888-738-0533. You can also like The Land Conservancy of BC on Facebook and follow @TLC4BC on Twitter.