Growing up in the Okanagan region, Jeannette has a deep appreciated for BC’s beautiful landscapes. She loves the hot climate and the various lakes, mountains and forests just outside her doorstep. She is stepping up to be the change with TLC. Please join her by donating to TLC at www.bethechangebc.ca.

In partnership with the En’owkin Centre, a non-profit First Nations educational organization located in Penticton, The Land Conservancy, holds a short-term lease and is working to acquire a long-term lease over 72 acres of rare and threatened habitat along the Okanagan River channel in Penticton. These lands are currently held by specific First Nations families in a form of land tenure known as Locatee.

The Ecommunity Place Project involves the protection of a large and relatively undisturbed tract of riparian black cottonwood forest that is unique in the South Okanagan Valley. The property includes a significant stand of cottonwood forest, rose thickets, and old field habitats. Located on the west side of the Okanagan River channel, this is the last remnant of the cottonwood forests and wet lowland habitats that once stretched from Okanagan Lake to Skaha Lake. Many hikers, cyclists, and channel rafters enjoy views of this special forested area. There are over 50 different species of birds, including Western Screech-Owl, Great Horned Owls, Red-tailed Hawks, Osprey, Flickers, and Great Blue Herons. This property is also one of the few places in BC where a nationally endangered bird, the Yellow-breasted Chat, has been found.

These lands are home to a unique interpretive and educational program that focuses not only on the ecological values of the land, but also on the aboriginal values and uses of the resources found here. Restoration projects involving elementary, secondary, and post-secondary students, community groups, and various other organizations will provide participants with hands on, meaningful learning experiences and opportunities.

Treat Mom like a Queen and join us for Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday, May 13th. The garden will be filled with the beauty of spring for your family to enjoy. Mom will be able to enjoy a scrumptious buffet meal filled with items that the whole family will take pleasure in. This is a very popular event at Abkhazi Garden so make certain to reserve your space early.

Adults $27.00 plus tax
Children under 12: $15.00 plus tax
Two Seatings: 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Help Jim in Ponying Up for the Point!

TLC Member and Cowichan Valley Resident, Jim Wisnia, has decided that it’s time to “Pony Up for the Point”. To assist with the campaign to raise funds for Sansum Point, Jim has pledged to cut off this pony-tail once he has raised $5,000.

 Jim first began growing his hair a little longer when he found it kept his neck warm while working outside at the North Vancouver Outdoor School.  His current pony-tail, which is about 12 inches long, has been in the works for the last couple of years.  In the back of his mind he always thought he might be able to use it for a fundraiser.

 As someone who loves a good hook, “Pony up for the Point” was a perfect fit.

 “Sansum Point is a very special property and is a wonderful amendment for the Stoney Hill Area,” said Jim.  “From diverse marine shore fauna to skyline rocky outcrop plant communities, there are so many reasons the property is worth protecting.  It’s important that we continue to help raise the funds required to encourage more partnerships with local government in the future.  It will also free up TLC to focus on other important projects.”

 Jim and his wife Lyn were happy to donate to help save Sansum Point when the opportunity first arose in early 2011. As long-time TLC Members, they love to get out and enjoy nature and have a deep appreciation for the important natural and cultural values of Sansum Point. 

 Through his endless enthusiasm Jim hopes to inspire his friends and many others to Pony Up for the Point. The highest donation will even have the option to be the one to cut off the pony-tail!  TLC is forever grateful for Community Action Heroes like Jim.  The inspiration, awareness, and funds raised through their efforts make a lasting difference for B.C.’s special places.

 Join Jim and Pony up for the Point today!

 When the property came up for sale in 2011 TLC secured an option to purchase the site, valued at $1.85 Million, and partnered with the Cowichan Valley Regional District and the Cowichan Land Trust.  After an intense 5 month fundraising campaign, the property became a Cowichan Valley Regional District Park in early September. TLC and the Cowichan Land Trust have carried on with fundraising to fulfill their financial contribution and thanks to this generous gift only $380,000 remains to be raised.

The Horsefly River in the fall. Photo courtesy of C. Iwan

TLC purchased the first phase of the Horsefly River on October 30, 1998.  The Horsefly River Riparian Conservation Area is one of our largest properties. Between 1999 and 2006 we purchased almost 400 hectares in 7 parcels along the mid-section of the Horsefly River Valley. Together this property represents almost 12 km of river shore line. This property represents some of the best sockeye salmon spawning habitat in the world. It is also used for spawning and rearing by rainbow trout, Chinook and Coho salmon. This broad riparian valley bottom is also home to a wide range of songbirds, waterfowl, wading birds, and high densities of grizzly and black bears which gather to feed on spawning sockeye in the fall. It is also exceptional moose habitat.

Restoration: Since the early 1900′s, the area has been cleared and used for agricultural purposes. This activity has caused extensive damage to the riparian areas, resulting in bank erosion, siltation and destabilization of the Horsefly River. Once we took ownership of the property, efforts began to reverse some of these issues.
Initially, restoration activities were carried led by the Ministry of Environment with assistance from the DFO. The first task was to remove livestock from the areas immediately adjacent to the river. This was accomplished with the construction of wildlife-friendly fencing of selected areas. Following this, an extensive restoration project ensued. Restoration included extensive planting of riparian species, re-sloping of sections of the river with heavy machinery with subsequent planting, the construction of a 500 m rearing channel, and the breaching of a containment dyke that was causing fish to become stranded.

As time progressed, we have assumed the task of further restoration efforts. More recently, our efforts have been scaled back and are focused on smaller, planting projects, experimental use of horses and use of shade cloth coupled with live staking of willows to control reed canary grass. We have also breached a small containment dyke that cutoff an oxbow from the main stem of the Horsefly River to alleviate a fish stranding problem and help restore ecosystem function.

While we are working to restore some of the original habitat along the main stem of the Horsefly, we are also working with adjacent ranchers to maintain agriculture in specific parts of the conservation area. Approximately 30% of the area is leased to neighbouring ranches. These areas are well away from the active part of the Horsefly River.

Fish and Wildlife Values
Fish — The Horsefly River is one of the most productive sockeye salmon spawning runs in the world. At times the number of fish returning to spawn on the Horsefly River has surpassed the runs on the Adams River. The off channel habitat in this reach is also very valuable for the rearing of juvenile rainbow trout, and chinook and coho salmon. The Horsefly River itself produces an estimated 75 per cent of the total rainbow trout in Quesnel Lake, which has the second largest sport fishery in the Cariboo region.

Wildlife — Because the area is almost exclusively low elevation riparian habitat, it represents extremely valuable habitat for a wide range of terrestrial species. This includes nesting habitat for a variety songbirds that frequent riparian areas, and breeding and migratory habitat for a diversity of other birds such as sandhlill cranes, great blue herons, bald eagles, ospreys and waterfowl. In fact, migratory and breeding bird surveys conducted on the site have documented over 100 species of birds. With the continued restoration efforts we anticipate that over time the large areas of this floodplain will be converted back to shrub willow habitat and mixed wood forests, thereby enhancing the habitat for many of these species of conservation concern.

Mule deer and moose are common to the area year round. Additionally, the area is known to be home to large carnivores such as grizzly bear, black bear, cougar and the grey wolf. Grizzly and black bears frequent the area especially during the fall for feed on spawning salmon. Furbearer species known to occur within the watershed include beaver, muskrat, coyote, red fox, marten, fisher, long-tailed weasel, mink, and lynx.  

Start
Organic greens, fig dressing w/ almond encrusted oysters
Prosciutto wrapped asparagus, rich hollandaise sauce

Main
Cannelloni two ways;
Braised short rib tomato sauce
House made ricotta w/ basil béchamel sauce

Sweet Finale
Chocolate glazed hazelnut mousse cake
Sauté bananas and rum

To find out more about the field trip at ECOmmunity Place, please contact the En'owkin Centre's ECOmmunity Place team at (250) 493-7181 ext 2236, or via email at ecommunityplace@vip.net.

With support from Environment Canada’s Interdepartmental Recovery Fund, Aboriginal Funds for Species At Risk, and the Southern Interior Reptile and Amphibian Recovery Team, the En’owkin Centre’s ECOmmunity Place staff are continuing exciting work to protect and recover critical habitat for the nationally Endangered Blotched Tiger Salamander, known as ncʕacʕaynaʔ to the Syilx (Okanagan people). Already home to Penticton’s last remaining population of these declining salamanders, ECOmmunity Place will soon be home to several new shallow breeding ponds, designed and built by the En’owkin Centre’s Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) keepers and conservation ecologists in an attempt to increase the local population as part of the South Okanagan-Similkameen Conservation Program’s biodiversity conservation efforts.

Over the last 150 years, and particularly during the last 60 years, local amphibian populations have been heavily impacted by the destruction, degradation and fragmentation of breeding ponds and important foraging areas in adjacent grassland/shrubsteppe habitats. Many of the human developments we have added to the landscape have benefitted us, but are driving other wildlife species to the brink of local extinction. Reversing this trend by changing the way we think, plan communities, and act, will be the focus of a special field trip event to be hosted at ECOmmunity Place in summer/fall 2012. Local landowners, land managers, conservation ecologists and TEK keepers are all invited to share their knowledge and wisdom about being good stewards of Blotched Tiger Salamanders and the habitats they share with us and other local species.

White Rhodo. Photo by Jeff de Jong.

The Victoria Rhododendron Society will be holding its Annual Sale at Abkhazi Garden on Saturday May 12th, from 9:00 a.m. until noon. This is your opportunity to purchase one or more of these remarkable plants that grow so well in the island. Expect to see many rhododendrons not sold in the nursery. Expert growers will also be on hand to answer your questions. Admission to the garden is free until noon. Come and support The Rhododendron Society and stay to wander through Abkhazi Garden.

On Wednesday, January 11, Sue Hemphill resident of the Horsefly Area, environmental educator and long-time TLC supporter was named a ‘Salmon Hero’ by the Fraser Salmon & Watersheds Program. The Salmon Hero awards were a way for the Fraser Salmon & Watersheds Program to honour those who have made a lasting and tangible contribution to the preservation, enhancement, and improvement of the Fraser River watershed and its Pacific Salmon populations.

Sue Hemphill, left, working with students.

TLC has been lucky to know and work with Sue.  She is best known to TLC for her early support of the creation of the Horsefly River Riparian Conservation Area. Since that time Sue has drawn TLC into salmon conservation  by enlisting Northern Region Manager, Barry Booth and other TLC staff to help  deliver the educational components of the Horsefly River Salmon Festivals that she has coordinated. In recent years, Sue has worked in close association with Barry to bring high school students out to the Horsefly River Riparian Conservation Area learn about our restoration efforts on this property. According to Barry, Sue is, without doubt, the most dedicated environmental educator that he knows, and in his mind she personifies what a ‘salmon hero’ would be.

Photo by C. Funk.

TLC assisted MetroVancouver in purchasing West Creek Wetlands on December 18, 2006.  TLC holds a covenant on the property.

The property is special for a couple of reasons. First, it is a large, relatively undisturbed greenspace – one of the largest unprotected areas of natural vegetation in the municipality. Second, it is unique because of the variety of habitats. The area contains several creeks, a large shallow-water wetland and a bog. Nearly 170 different species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, 22 of which are endangered or threatened, call this area home. The main channel of West Creek runs through the property; this creek is one of BC’s 14 designated “sensitive streams,” with healthy stocks of Coho and Chum salmon and small but stable populations of resident and sea-going Cutthroat Trout. Wood Duck Lake, in the northern half of the property, contains an active population of beavers.  

Abkhazi is offering a special breakfast menu on Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. in addition to its regular lunch and tea selections on Thursdays to Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Drop by for a visit at 1964 Fairfield Road, Victoria or call to make a reservation at 250 598 8096.

Abkhazi Garden Breakfast Menu (all main dishes are $12.00)

Classic Eggs Benedict
Ham, house hollandaise sauce with garden herbs on baked scone. Served with veggie hash. Substitute with smoked salmon.

Early Riser
Farm fresh eggs, sausage, Wildfire toast with homemade jam and a side of fruit or veggie hash.

Gardener’s Healthy Choice
Hot oatmeal, wildflower honey, yogurt or cottage cheese served with warm toast and fresh fruit.

Chef’s Specialty
French toast made with house brioche, fruit compote and Canadian maple syrup with a side of bacon.

Saturday, March 24 from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. Abkhazi Garden welcomes all those who wish to discover this amazing garden at no charge for gate admission.

Discover for yourself the magic of this rare and special place, which is renowned for being in the top 100 small gardens of the world. Abkhazi Garden is located at 1964 Fairfield Road, Victoria, B.C. For more information please visit our Abkhazi Garden webpage or call the garden at 250 598 8096.

Photo by Heath Moffat

The second installment for the Western Forest Product lands closed on August 12, 2011, and a second parcel of land at Sandcut Beach has been transferred to the Capital Regional District for parkland. The first transfer of lands occurred last August, and included lands around the Sooke Potholes as well as a portion of Sandcut Beach. TLC has assisted in the negotiations and fundraising for this major parkland acquisition project.

As partners in this acquisition, TLC is making it best efforts to cover 35 percent of the overall cost to purchase the 5,800 acres of lands in the Jordan River, Sandcut Beach, and Sooke Hills area. Deemed as our Wild Hills and Beaches Campaign, this project continues to be a high priority under our overarching public engagement Be the Change Campaign, but to complete it, we need your help.

By August 2012, TLC requires approximately $2.75 Million to fulfill the reminder of its share. This amount may be made up, in part, through the sale of carbon credits on the site and the re-sale of some of the upland parcels of the land purchased that have minimal ecological value and would not be included in the park.

To date, almost half of the funds required to meet our part of the deal have been raised. We thank everyone who contributed to this cause thus far.

During a time when donations are slow to recover from the slump in the economy, TLC continues to put its best effort forward to fundraise to save these properties for their significant environmental and recreational value. We are confident our members, donors, supporters and the community on Vancouver Island will step up and donate to protect these West Coast icons.

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today! 

Come out and support TLC’s Wild Hills and Beaches Campaign at our 2nd Annual Beers for Beaches. Tickets are $10 and are available at the SUB info office or at the door.

Anchusa or Common bugloss was spotted for the first time in the Okanagan-Similkameen region in a gravel pit near Hedley in 2010; it is not known to occur elsewhere in the region. Photo by Lisa Scott.

Here is a list of resolutions that you may wish to consider for 2012, and it has nothing to do with weight loss, more exercise or stopping smoking (not that those aren’t good things to resolve to do). These resolutions will help to reduce invasive plants in the Okanagan- Similkameen region and improve the overall health of our natural habitats and agricultural areas. It will also help us save lots of money, because weeds in crops and pastures alone costs Canada approximately $2.2 billion annually.

Whether you’ve battled bindweed in your back yard, picked hound’s-tongue seeds off your pants or noticed the abundance of Siberian elm trees along our lakes and rivers, you’ve become aware of the spread of invasive plants. Invasive plants are a problem, but often the solutions are relatively straightforward. Take the time to read through these top twelve resolutions and chose the most suitable ones that you can strive to achieve in 2012.

1. Learn to identify invasive plants growing in the Okanagan-Similkameen region. Check out website (www.sosips.ca), pick up some information sheets from the Regional District office in Penticton or peruse local or provincial websites such as www.weedsbc.ca or www.invasiveplantcouncilbc.ca.

2. Report sightings of new invaders in our region or patches of common species in remote locations where they may go undetected.

3. When gardening, choose plants wisely. Be suspicious of plants promoted as “fast spreaders” or “vigorous self-seeders.” Do not transplant aggressive species that are known to be invasive. Instead, select native plants that are adapted to our local ecosystems or non-invasive ornamental species.

4. Avoid using exotic wildflower seed mixes.

5. Be wary of wild birdseed mixes. Carefully select the seed mix or create the mix yourself. Put the seed mix on cookie sheets and bake to prevent germination. In the spring, remove any unusual plants growing under or near your bird feeder, before the plant goes to seed.

6. Dispose of invasive plants carefully. Do not ‘recycle’ garden debris or compost. Properly dispose in trash bags or by drying out any material to destroy remaining vegetative parts.

7. Avoid letting invasive plants fruit or set seed, as birds and animals can spread the plants to other areas. Deadhead flowers, seedpods and berries of known invasive plants.

8. Reduce soil disturbances and re-seed disturbed soils with a suitable seed mix.

9. Avoid picking plants from roadsides, gravel pits or other disturbed areas.

10. When exploring the great outdoors, check your vehicle, boat, bike, camping gear, shoes and pets for invasive plant seeds that may have hitched a ride. Dispose of any seeds carefully.

11. Encourage friends and neighbours to learn more about invasive plants, and share information that you have learned such as how to identify a certain species.

12. Get involved with local efforts to control invasive plants.

For further information on invasive plants contact the Invasive Plant Program Coordinator for the Okanagan-Similkameen, Lisa Scott at 250-404-0115 or email her at sosips@shaw.ca.

White-headed Woodpeckers need dead or dying trees for food and shelter. Photo by Jared Hobbs.

Article by Lisa Scott.

The New Year is a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. What if our local wildlife could submit resolutions on our behalf? Their list might read something like this:

Please consider adopting at least one of the following actions in 2012 to help ensure our future:

1. Learn which species are “at risk” in the Okanagan- Similkameen at the website: www.speciesatrisk.bc.ca.

2. Create habitat for wildlife on your property. Plant a wildflower garden with native forbs, shrubs and trees; maintain brush piles; or participate in a local habitat restoration project. Speak to someone at a local native plant nursery or refer to www.naturescapebc.ca for ideas.

3. Learn about invasive plants and take action to limit their spread. For more information go to: www.sosips.ca

4. Leave dead or dying trees standing on your property, when it is safe to do so. This will provide food and shelter for a range of species from woodpeckers to owls and flying squirrels. Learn more through the Wildlife Tree Stewardship (WiTS) program at www.wildlifetree.ca.

5. Install nest boxes which can provide temporary nesting and roosting sites for cavity nesting birds or install a bat box for natural insect control. Speak with a local naturalist or biologist to decide what would be most suitable for your property.

6. Reduce energy use at home, at work and in your vehicles. This will help protect air quality for all of us. As an added bonus, you’ll save money.

7. Watch out for wildlife on roads and waterways. If safe to do so, please move a turtle off the road and try to place it in the direction it was traveling.

8. Purchase paper products that are 100 per cent post consumer recycled content to help save our forests.

9. Keep your cat indoors especially when birds are nesting.

10. Consider making a donation to charitable organization [like TLC] that helps protect wildlife or their habitat.

Thanks, from your feathered, furred and finned friends!

Thank you to all our volunteers, donors, members, event participants, twitter followers and facebook fans for making 2011 such a successful year for TLC. Our slideshow features a few of our favourite big moments from this past year, but each and everyday we are grateful for your support of the work we do. Cheers to more success in 2012 – our 15th anniversary year!

This week-long holiday will take place at Wildwood Eco-forest on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. It offers visitors spectacular scenery and a chance to truly enjoy nature. Wildwood is now widely recognised as a model for eco-forestry and has become a learning site for those wanting to gain skills in eco-forestry.

The holiday: Participants will get a chance to absorb some of the history, see and stay in the Wildwood Eco-forest and participate in the building of a work/picnic shelter from scratch. This structure will be utilised by visiting classes and future work crews. The accommodation is in tents and participants will experience the thrill of living outdoors with an outdoor ‘kitchen’ set-up. Leisure activities may include swimming and games and participants are encouraged to bring musical instruments.

Meeting point: A TLC staff member will meet participants upon arrival at Victoria International Airport on the start day Monday 10 September 2012 at 12 noon and transfer participants by van to the work site.

Accommodation: For the first 6 nights accommodation is camping, on site, in two-person tents unless a special request is made in advance of the holiday for a one-person tent. Due to the nature of the location facilities are very basic. One shower and one toilet are provided in separate outside buildings. The final night will be in a hotel in Victoria.

Bedding: Single air mattresses and ground sheets are provided. Participants must bring their own sleeping bag but these can be provided if requested in advance of the holiday.

Cost: $468.75 + HST

Book Your Holiday Today!

The TV Series Peak Moments featured O.U.R. Ecovillage and the communities 12 years of work, onsite educational programming, and thousands of volunteers per year.

Find out about protecting O.U.R. Ecovillage forever.

This property consists of 63 hectares stretching for five km along the east side of the Sooke River, and lies immediately adjacent to the Sooke Potholes Provincial Park. This stretch of the Sooke River contains a series of unique geological formations – rock pools and carved canyons known as “the Potholes”. These clear green pools are linked by picturesque waterfalls and gorges and are surrounded by the beautiful forests of the Sooke Hills. Along the eastern boundary of the property runs the Galloping Goose Regional Trail, a tremendously popular recreational corridor used by cyclists, equestrians, runners and hikers. The Sooke Potholes site is part of the region’s Sea to Sea Greenbelt. TLC purchased the property with the support of the Capital Regional District and many of the area’s residents. The pothole pools in the river have been the region’s most popular swimming spots for many years. TLC’s acquisition means that it can continue to be enjoyed for its recreational values as well as its environmental and geological significance. The TLC campground at the north end of the property is open for visitors during the summer season.