Future-proof your Home with Water Management: $ave Money and Improve Resiliency by Harnessing Your Water Resources. 

Watch this informative webinar that will revolutionize the way you manage water on your property and enhance your resilience for the future. 

Learn how to: utilize DIY rainwater harvesting, update your landscape for water retention, install legal greywater and composting toilet systems, and MORE. 

Wednesday, June 28
7-8:30 pm
View the recording here on our Youtube channel.

In this webinar featuring Transition Salt Spring’s very own Permaculturalist Erinanne Harper in conversation with Climate Action Coach Morgan Fraser, we delve into the various aspects of water management for your home and property, offering valuable insights and practical solutions. Erinanne has been practicing and teaching permaculture, land stewardship, growing food and medicine on Salt Spring Island for 20 years. She will share her vast knowledge and experience, providing you with the tools you need to make a positive impact using your under-utilized water resources.

Some topics that will be covered include:

1. Rainwater Capture
2. Water Holding and Infiltration
3. Greywater
4. Composting Toilets
5. Reducing Water Usage

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into future-proofing your home and surrounding property through effective water management strategies. By harnessing your water resources, you can save money, increase resiliency, and contribute to a sustainable future.

Why Healthy Forests Matter in Reducing Fire and Drought Risk with Erik Piikkila – Video

Watch the recording of this enlightening Q&A session with Erik Piikkila, a forest ecologist, as we explore the state of our local forest and the importance of caring for them. Our forests play a crucial role in reducing the risks of devastating fires and ensuring clean drinking water, making it vital for us to understand the difference between healthy and unhealthy forests as a landowner and community member.

Erik answers questions such as: How can we reduce the fire risk around our homes? Why are forests connected to our drinking water? Why is forest health important, and what can we do to promote it? And why should we care about doing anything about fostering healthy forests? He also discusses the importance of First Nations Traditional Ecological Knowledge and how we can learn from it to better manage our forests. 

In this session, you will gain valuable insights into sustainable forest management practices in the context of climate change and how you can enhance the state of our forests. Whether you are a homeowner or simply concerned about the health of our forests, this session will provide you with the knowledge you need to make a difference.

Read more in the May 24, 2023 Driftwood article: https://www.gulfislandsdriftwood.com/healthy-forests-can-help-protect-us-from-disasters/

Welcoming Native Pollinators to Our Neighbourhood Gardens with Bee Expert Bonnie Zand

View the recording from June 8, 2023 on our Youtube Channel Here.

Discover practical tips and strategies from Bonnie Zand, an expert in native bees and pollinator conservation. Learn how to create a pollinator-friendly environment in your gardens and make a positive impact on biodiversity in our community.

We hear a lot about declining biodiversity, our warming climate, and disappearing insects, but we do hope you’ll join us to hear hopeful tips on what we on SSI, and particularly gardeners, can do for our native bees. Bonnie will discuss the role and importance of native bees and other lesser-known pollinators. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a beginner, this inspiring event will teach you how to nurture your plants and welcome native pollinators. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Bonnie Zand, the BC instructor for the Master Melittologist Program from the Native Bee Society of BC. Visit https://www.bcnativebees.org/ to learn more about Bonnie’s work with native bees and pollinator conservation.

This Zoom presentation forms part of a Salt Spring Foundation Neighbourhood Small Grant Project awarded to a group of neighbours from Roland Road. As coordinator for this community project, Anne Gunn draws on her lifetime curiosity about insects. Others assisting are foresters, geologists, and garden-watering experts. Roland Road is also fortunate to have professional and amateur gardeners to help with plant knowledge.

Transition Salt Spring hosted a workshop on February 27th, 2023

Fire Risk Reduction in the Coastal Douglas-fir Biogeoclimatic Zone:
A Practitioner’s Workshop

The event brought together over seventy participants, including regional Fire Smart Coordinators, Fire Rescue, BC Wildfire Services, forest managers, and experts working in the CDF Zone. The many experts at the workshop spoke to the fire risk challenges unique to this area. They identified potential strategies to address these challenges under the current land management realities and limitations. 

If you would like to review the event, please see the recording here (with timestamps)

Thank you to all panelists and participants and sponsors Islands Trust, North Salt Spring Waterworks District and Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Summary

The workshop explored engaging and living in ecosystems throughout the Salish Sea. Adam Olsen, the MLA, encouraged people to understand their responsibility to be good stewards of the beautiful Coast Salish territory, viewing plants, animals, and islands as relatives. MLA Olsen is a strong advocate for ensuring that both our ecosystems and communities can remain resilient in the changing climate. Cowichan Elder, Robert George, shared a song and prayer, and spoke about Turtle Island, and how people should live in harmony with one another and the environment. The workshop came out of work on Maxwell Creek Watershed through Transition Salt Spring’s Climate Adaptation Research Lab on Salt Spring Island, which is looking at the legacy of over 100 years of intensive clear-cut logging and the changes to hydrology from roads and agricultural drainage that continue to affect the lake and water supply. With the Coastal Douglas-fir Biogeoclimatic Region being over 70% privately owned land, the entire community has a role to play to reduce our vulnerability to Climate Change and extreme weather. Dimitri Vaisius, who works for BC Wildfire Service, presents actual information about regional extreme weather events, higher temperatures, prolonged droughts, and the need for active management.

During the workshop, several practitioners spoke to the issues and approaches they are using to promote responsible forest management and wildfire prevention in various communities in Coastal British Columbia. Mark Lombard shared information about the Cortes Community Forest Cooperative, which is a partnership between the Klahoose First Nation and the Co-Op, which represents other residents of Cortes Island. The network covers a significant portion of public managed forest land on the island and has identified several wildfire mitigation projects. Robert Seaton discussed his work with the Climate Adaptation Research Lab, to move forest stands closer to their structurally and ecologically diverse, pre-industrial state, which had inherent fire resistance. Robert discusses the use of multi-pass thinning, pruning, reintroducing species, and exclusion fencing as part of the broad toolkit that will be needed. On Galliano, Bowie Keefer of the Galiano Eco Forestry Association described their work managing abandoned industrial plantations that are now private forest lands for recreational, economic, fuel reduction and forest restoration goals; including protecting carbon sinks and reducing fire risk. Finally, Jay Zakaluzny, a fire management officer with Parks Canada, discussed the risk of wildfires in areas with human populations and outlined initiatives they are using to reduce fire risk through a combination of forest thinning, prescribed burning, and Fire Smart Programming.

The discussion covered various aspects of forest management, including treatments for private and public lands, and the challenges of balancing economic viability with conservation values. Specific examples included Bowie’s approach to pruning young trees on Galiano Island, the Cortes Island Community Forest’s light-touch approach to commercial thinning, and Parks Canada’s mandate to manage land and resources. Other topics discussed were the conflicting values about forests and forestry on Cortes Island, specifically how the Provincial requirements for annual harvests far exceeds the amount that can be sustainably harvested and used locally. The logistical challenges of working on isolated islands, with the high wildfire-human interface and high private land ownership became the focus of the rest of the day.  

Practitioners emphasized the importance of collaboration, community engagement, and a long-term perspective in forest management, as well as the need to balance competing priorities and values.

A panel of Professionals working on the issue of fire risk reduction discussed some of the issues raised by the practitioners and introduced some additional information about work being done by the different responsible authorities in this region.  The discussion centered on the need for active management in the Coastal Douglas-fir Biogeoclimatic zone to mitigate the risk of wildfires. Private land ownership and lack of funding mechanisms and educational resources were identified as challenges. Fire Smart programs were identified as a way to protect human assets by creating non-combustible zones around homes. However, the reality is that the responsibility for managing wildfire risk falls largely on private land and forest property owners, conservancies and managers. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Forests are essential for mitigating climate change, supporting biodiversity, providing clean air and water, and supporting human livelihoods.
• Ecological forest management that considers multiple values is key to maintaining the benefits provided by forests while also meeting human needs.
• The management of forests must consider both the ecological and social aspects of the forest, including the needs of local communities to have wood supply and sustainable jobs, and the importance of learning from and working with Coast Salish Stewards.
• Forest management practices should be based on scientific research and data to ensure they are effective and sustainable.
• Forest certification programs can help ensure sustainable forest management practices and improve market access for forest products.
• Forest fires can have significant negative impacts on forest ecosystems, and proactive fire management strategies are needed to prevent and manage fires.
• Restoration and conservation of degraded forest ecosystems is essential for improving their ecological and socioecological functions.
• Collaboration and partnerships among stakeholders, including governments, local communities, NGOs, and the private sector, are crucial for effective forest management and conservation.

Thank you to the Islands Trust, North Salt Spring Waterworks District, and Environment and Climate Change Canada who sponsored the event.

————————————————————-

New Local Committee Commission (LCC)All Candidates Forum

Salt Spring has decided on an innovative new decision-making body that will give eligible residents a greater voice on a range of issues, from bus service and bikeways to climate action and waste management. 

On May 27th, we get to choose four local community commissioners. But first, we need to know where they stand on the issues like climate change, transportation, affordable housing, food security and more.

And we need your vote — there’s a lot at stake!

Hear what Local Community Commissioner candidates have to say on a range of important local issues by watching this free online All Candidates Forum from Tuesday, May 9th, 2023 on the Transition Salt Spring Youtube channel.

Salt Spring Islanders have some important choices to make when we choose up to four commissioners for the new CRD Local Community Commission, which 61% voted in favour of establishing in October 2022.

Which candidates are best positioned to address these urgent issues best? You decide!

A series of questions has been distributed to all registered candidates in advance to inform the discussion at the All Candidates Forum. Read those responses here.

For further information:
Services Provided by the CRD on Salt Spring
The Local Community Commission and its Responsibilities
The Local Community Commissioner Election on May 27th

Voting Opportunities

Advance Voting Opportunities

Wednesday, May 17 and Wednesday, May 24

8am – 8pm

Venue	Address	City
Salt Spring Island Public Library	129 McPhillips Ave.	Salt Spring Island
Salt Spring Island Community Gospel Chapel	147 Vesuvius Bay Rd.	Salt Spring Island

General Voting Day

Saturday, May 27

8am – 8pm

Venue	Address	City
Salt Spring Island Public Library	129 McPhillips Ave.	Salt Spring Island
Salt Spring Island Community Gospel Chapel	147 Vesuvius Bay Rd.	Salt Spring Island
Salt Spring Island Fulford Hall – Seniors Centre	2591 Fulford-Ganges Rd.	Salt Spring Island

ALL About Home Rebates – Webinar Video

Get access to THOUSANDS of dollars, improve your comfort, and save big on your energy bill – All while reducing your environmental impact. We’ll guide you through the process and options.

Join Transition Salt Spring’s Climate Action Coach team to learn everything there is to know about how to access home rebates on Salt Spring and the Southern Gulf Islands. This informative webinar was live on February 2, 2023. View HERE on our Youtube channel.

We walk through: – The local (Salt Spring/Southern Gulf Island), provincial, and federal home rebates available – How the rebate process and what to expect – Interest-free loans and Income Qualified programs available for home retrofits – Example costs of home upgrades and potential energy savings – Rebate options for: Heat Pumps, Upgraded Wood Stoves, Rainwater Catchment, Solar Power, Insulation, Doors and Windows, Heat Recovery Ventilator and Ventilation

If this information was helpful to you, please consider donating to TSS: https://transitionsaltspring.com/donate

Contact the Climate Coach at: climatecoach@transitionsaltspring.com

“The road to restoration is putting back more than we take. The restorative ethic is inherent in permaculture and is basic to all natural and designed systems. This is the way forward.” – Rosemary Morrow

Short Clip from the recent book launch: https://youtu.be/2QYfpm9VbsA

Effective Design advice from Rosemary Morrow and David Holmgren. Clip from the North American release of Rosemary Morrow’s new book ‘Earth Restorer’s Guide to Permaculture’. 

Purchase the Book 

North America : https://us.permacultureprinciples.com/product/earth-restorers-guide-to-permaculture/

World : https://au.permacultureprinciples.com/product/earth-restorers-guide-to-permaculture/

Watch or Download the Full Video : www.permaculturedesign.earth/newofferings

Listen or Download the Audio : www.permaculturedesign.earth/podcasts

Rosemary Morrow www.bluemountainspermacultureinstitute.com.au

David Holmgren www.holmgren.com.au

Delvin + Grace Solkinson www.permaculturedesign.earth

This historic event was presented The Permaculture Institute www.permaculture.org

in alliance with 

Permaculture Institute North America www.pina.in

Earth Activist Training www.earthactivisttraining.org

Verge Permaculture www.vergepermaculture.ca

Kootenay Permaculture Institute www.kootenaypermaculture.ca

OUR Ecovillage www.ourecovillage.org

Transition Salt Spring www.transitionsaltspring.com

Permaculture BC www.permaculturebc.com

Blue Mountains Permaculture Institute www.bluemountainspermacultureinstitute.com.au

Melliodora Publishing www.melliodora.com

Can We Handle the Climate Challenges Coming Our Way?

From the Driftwood Sept 20 2023

TSS just wrapped up the Climate Report Card 2023, an update on how we’re doing with the Salt Spring Island Climate Action Plan 2.0 that came out in 2021. The plan’s goal is to cut greenhouse gas emissions by half by 2030 in line with Canada’s commitments at the UN and also get our island and all its humans and non-humans ready for the climate changes heading our way.

Since the plan came out, we’ve been making progress in many areas. Electric transportation has increased, taking care of our forests, improving food security, and making our buildings resilient against severe weather impacts. All of this shows we’re committed to keeping our community safe.

Some great work worth noting so far:

• The community bought several important land parcels, helping us protect our forests and trap carbon. 
• There’s now a Salt Spring Island Watershed Protection Plan. 
• The SSI Farmland Trust launched The Root Food Hub.
• The CRD, the Farmland Trust, SSI Abattoir, and SSI Community Services announced a new composting facility.
• Electric vehicles (EVs) are catching on, with a 40% increase from 2020 to 2021. Also, the CRD has supported more EV charging spots, and we have our first electric school bus. 
• Island Pathways received federal dollars to push the Salish Sea Trail Network forward.
• Transition Salt Spring’s Climate Adaptation Research Lab (CARL) is working on projects that make our wetlands healthier and cut forest fire risk on Mount Maxwell.

But here’s the hard part: even with all these wins, the Climate Report Card tells us we are far from hitting the mark to meet the goals of the Climate Action Plan. We must recognize that we’re not ready for the unusual weather here now and the more extreme weather that’s coming. To tackle these issues, we’ve got to change how we build things, plan our community, and take care of our natural areas to cut the risk of things like fires, droughts, and storms. It’s not just about cutting emissions; it’s about getting tougher in the face of wild weather.

Read more here in the Driftwood

Read the Summary here.

Our Climate Report Card expert Kacia Tolsma presents on how far we’ve come with our Climate Action Plan 2.0 on Salt Spring Island, BC in this short 16 min presentation.

Beyond Climate Change – A Case study looking at our Vulnerable Forests

Dr Ruth Waldick presents at UNBC on our Mt Maxwell Adaptation Lab Project on Nov. 11, 2022.

Watch Video Here.

All About Wood Stoves Webinar

Recording Replay Link Here

Thank YOU for joining our ‘All About Wood Stoves’ webinar on Tuesday Oct 25, 2022.

Together with Assistant Chief Mitchell Sherrin from Salt Spring Fire Rescue, we learned how to burn more safely and efficiently when using a wood stove. If you missed the live recording (or want to watch again!), you can watch the replay below. Please share with a friend or neighbour who you think would benefit from learning how to best ‘burn it smart’.

And for those who are interested in the Smoke Reduction rebate to exchange your current wood stove with a high-efficiency EPA-2020 Certified Wood Stove or Heat Pump, the interest list is: here.

Some key takeaways from the talk:

• Uncertified Wood Stoves output 15-30 grams of smoke per hour. Compare that to the new EPA-2020 Wood Stoves output of 2 grams of smoke/hr.
• TSS offers a Community Wood Smoke Reduction Rebate of $300-$1000 for Wood Stoves and Heat Pumps
• Salt Spring Island has multiple chimney fires every year, according to Assistant Fire Chief Mitchell Sherrin
• Burn hot, bright fires and burn in cycles to burn without smoke
• The “top-down” lighting method is considered the best way to light a fire with little smoke

If you need any guidance on what steps to take to make your home more climate-resilient and you live on the Southern Gulf Islands, feel free to reach out to Morgan, your Climate Action Coach, anytime. 

 In this recording, we share with our Tamarack Institute cohort our impressive and inspiring journey towards developing and implementing a local climate plan, including a massive engagement effort; working with local politicians, Fire & Rescue, artists, and many others; integrating Indigenous knowledge; becoming a registered nonprofit and achieving financial sustainability; staying action focused; and ensuring accountability.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVeBXwOA8gU

A Presentation of Fire and Water Risks on Mt Maxwell, Salt Spring Island by Ecologist and Climate Change Specialist Dr Ruth Waldick and Forest Carbon and Ecological Restoration Expert Robert Seaton