Current Stewardship Projects

The Salt Spring Island Conservancy’s Habitat Stewardship Project

Since 2004, we have received federal funding under the Habitat Stewardship Program to protect wildlife habitat on Salt Spring Island. This work is urgent because Salt Spring Island is in the Coastal Douglas Fir biogeoclimatic zone--the rarest ecosystem in the province with the highest number of rare and endangered plants and wildlife. Over 45 provincially and federally listed species at risk are known to occur on Salt Spring Island.

As part of our project, we

• monitor and map rare and endangered animal and plants on the island
• educate the public about the species found on the island
• work with landowners to provide training on managing and restoring wildlife habitat
• provide information to land owners concerned about protecting their land

Highlights of our current work:

Barn Owl Nest Box Program

The western population of Barn Owls in Canada is federally listed as Special Concern. Lack of suitable nesting sites can often be a limiting factor in the breeding success of Barn Owls. With the help of volunteer, Paul Linton, we have built and installed barn owl boxes in barns on the island to provide nests for the owl.

Western Bluebird Nest Box Program

Our Western Bluebird Nestbox Program is carried out by dedicated volunteers and staff biologists. They have been building, installing, and monitoring Western Bluebird boxes on Salt Spring Island, in an effort to re-establish this once common songbird.

Rare Plants

We are involved in counting and identifying new populations of rare and endangered plant species on Salt Spring Island, including Yellow Montane Violet, Coastal Scouler’s Catchfly, and Grey’s Desert-Parsley.

Sharp-tailed Snakes

With the help of countless volunteers and committed landowners we have identified 19 locations for this species on Salt Spring Island. We have also completed several habitat enhancement projects, including removing broom and other invasive plants, replanting native plants, and building rock walls and overwintering sites for the snakes.

Western Painted Turtles

The Pacific Coast population of Western Painted Turtles in Canada is federally listed as endangered. We began monitoring Western Painted Turtle populations and nesting sites in 2008. With the generous help of many volunteers and landowners we have identified several populations of turtles and a many nesting sites. We continue to monitor their populations so that we can assess the status of these turtles on the island.

Amphibians

As amphibians decline worldwide, it is important for us to monitor the species in our own backyards. We are installing long-term monitoring boards for salamanders and frogs, and we are expanding our program of contacting landowners who might have these species on their property.

Butterflies and Other Insects

We are monitoring rare butterfly species, including the Dun Skipper and Zerene Fritillary as well as other insects. As some need very specialized habitat, we have also begun to work with landowners to help them restore and enhance butterfly habitat in areas where these rare species are known to occur.