CLIMATE RESEARCH & RESTORATION ON SALT SPRING ISLAND
CLIMATE ADAPTATION RESEARCH LAB (CARL)
The Climate Action Research Lab (CARL) is Transition Salt Spring’s hub for ecological restoration, climate adaptation research, and community learning. Grounded in science and powered by local collaboration, CARL focuses on restoring the health of our island ecosystems—starting with the Hwmet’utsun (Mt. Maxwell) Creek Watershed, a vital water source for thousands of islanders.
Through groundbreaking research, education and outreach initiatives in fire risk reduction, wetland restoration, and forest health management, the team is raising awareness and empowering individuals and organizations to take action to protect their communities.
Restoring Ecosystems for a Resilient Future
Educational Initiatives: CARL actively involves local youth in environmental stewardship. Notably, students from Gulf Islands Secondary School (GISS) and the University of Victoria's Restoration Program have participated in hands-on restoration projects within the Hwmet’utsum (Mt. Maxwell) Creek Watershed. These experiences provide students with practical knowledge about forest health and the impacts of climate change.
Ecological Restoration: In response to historical land use that has led to ecosystem degradation, CARL focuses on restoring native plant communities and wetland areas. Efforts include efforts to slow water flow, reduce erosion, and enhance habitats for native species in the Hwmet’utsum (Mt. Maxwell) Creek Watershed. Such interventions aim to improve the watershed's ability to retain water, increasing resilience to drought and reducing wildfire risks.
Understanding fire in our region
Data Collection and Monitoring: To inform restoration strategies, CARL has established long-term monitoring sites across the Maxwell Creek Watershed. These sites collect hydrological data and assess forest conditions, enabling the identification of environmental change and areas with high restoration potential. The data supports better ecosystem understanding and targeted interventions to reduce fire hazards and enhance water quality.
Community Outreach and Knowledge Sharing: Recognizing the importance of community involvement, CARL engages local residents through workshops, webinars, and collaborative projects. By sharing findings and best practices, CARL fosters a community of practice aimed at promoting ecological integrity and climate adaptation across the region.
CARL RESOURCES
FIELD NOTES
Climate Adaptation Research Lab – Restoring the Maxwell Watershed with North Salt Spring Waterworks District.
Climate Adaptation Research Lab – Restoring the Maxwell Watershed with North Salt Spring Waterworks District Watch this short and brilliant 5-minute video. It describes why we are doing our work in the watershed. GISS students…
TSS’s CARL project among finalists announced for 2023 Nature Inspiration Awards
Announced in Financial Post Sept 12, 2023 OTTAWA, Sept. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Canadian Museum of Nature is pleased to announce the finalists and the Lifetime Achievement recipient for its 2023 Nature Inspiration…
Maxwell Creek Watershed Field Files
The Maxwell Creek Watershed Project (AKA the CARL Project) is a collaborative, multidisciplinary forest restoration project based on Salt Spring Island under the leadership of Transition Salt Spring with the support of multiple organizations including…
Building Climate Resilience
Exploring Climate Resilience and Forests with Dr. Ruth Waldick
Earlier this year, TSS Scientist in residence, Dr. Ruth Waldick, joined “WTF Friday,” a group on Cortes Island, to discuss climate change, fire risk, and innovative forestry practices. She talked about the impact of traditional…
Healthy forests can help protect us from disasters
Read the whole article in the May 24th 2023 issue of the Gulf Islands Driftwood. Andria Scanlan won’t ever forget the howling winds and trees that came crashing down around her house that December afternoon…
Beyond Climate Change: A Case Study on Our Vulnerable Forests
How do we protect the forests we depend on as climate impacts intensify? In this in-depth presentation, Dr. Ruth Waldick shares insights from the Mt. Maxwell Adaptation Lab on Salt Spring Island—an innovative project exploring…
Fire Resources
Reducing Wildfire Risks & Biochar: TSS Members Travel to Clearwater, BC, to Talk About Forest Resiliency
On April 5th and 6th, Grace Fields, the TSS Project Coordinator for the Climate Adaptation Research Lab (CARL), and Brian Smallshaw (Biochar Working Group Lead) travelled up to Clearwater, BC, to speak to community members…
New Report Shows Us How to Reduce Wildfire Risks
Fire risk reduction in the Coastal Douglas-fir biogeoclimatic zone Read the Full Report here. Introducing a new practitioner’s report focused on reducing fire risk by increasing ecological integrity. Historically, wildfire has been an intermittent but…
Why Healthy Forests Matter in Reducing Fire and Drought Risk
In this informative Q&A session, forest ecologist Erik Piikkila explains the critical role healthy forests play in protecting our communities from fire and drought. As climate extremes become more frequent, understanding the link between forest…
WHAT OUR COMMUNITY IS SAYING
"I was inspired to learn about Transition Salt Spring's Climate Adaptation Research Lab. The forest restoration project hits all the right buttons - help a watershed, reduce fire risk, increase forest resilience and engage GISS youth. All that by 'assembling' nurse logs to mimic fallen old-growth trees. I've made a nurse log on my property, and it's so much easier and better than burning slash."
- STEVE NEW
PROJECT PARTNERS
This project is possible thanks to our CARL staff and dedicated team of community and research contributors across the Salish Sea. Project funding has been provided for our projects by: Environment and Climate Change Canada, Eco-Canada intern and staff support, North Salt Spring Waterworks District, Salt Spring Water Preservation Society, University of British Columbia (Forestry), BC Ministry of Transportation, Capital Regional District (SSI), Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, and the early support for our vision from a private donor on island.
