Water connects us all-and protecting it means protecting our future. Transition Salt Spring’s Lighter Living Program is here to help with practical tools to secure our island’s water resources. In the coming months, we’ll be talking to locals and highlighting best practices. Our goal is to share facts you need to know about water challenges…

Adopting a plant-based diet and growing local food are powerful steps toward a healthier planet and community. By focusing on plants, we reduce the environmental impacts of food production, including greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and habitat loss. Growing food locally-whether in backyard gardens, community plots, or small farms-further cuts carbon footprints by reducing transportation…

We often think of fighting climate change as overwhelming, fraught with sacrifice and self-deprivation.  It doesn’t have to be that way! We are consulting with climate scientists, behaviour experts, and carbon footprint calculators, to bring you lifestyle tips that are low-effort changes in the way we travel, shop, and eat. These changes can impact your…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Growing native plants is very rewarding and helps provide important habitat for local birds, animals and pollinators.  Native Plants: • Are adapted to your climate • Are drought tolerant  • Are resistant to diseases and pests  • Low maintenance  • Add beauty and interest  • Promote bio-diversity  • Invite and sustain local wildlife  • Support…

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…

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

Resilient Gardens for a Changing Climate With renowned gardening expert Linda Gilkeson Recorded: Wednesday, July 13, 2022 Our regional climate is transforming rapidly as the global climate changes, with extreme weather events setting records. What does this mean for our food gardens and landscapes? How can we take on the challenge of increasing local food…

On Monday, June 13th 2022, the Native Plant Stewardship working group, and a few community members, led by Dr. Catherine Tarasoff, removed some yellow flag iris at a site on Miles Road off Beddis. Yellow flag iris can displace native plants and dry out wetlands, altering the local ecosystem and reducing the habitat available for…

An Interview with Jean Wilkinson from the Native Plant Stewardship Group At the heart of our organisation are five dedicated board members and five part-time staff and extending out from this heart are a TON of volunteers forming committees and working groups. The Native Plant Stewardship Group is one of many TSS working groups. This…

Listen HERE to our Dr Ruth Waldick on CBC Radio’s All Points West discuss TSS’ new project at Maxwell Lake

A short, Salt Spring Island Water Preservation Society (SSIWPS) freshwater awareness film. The “Freshwater Salt Spring” WPS film short, is part of a larger parallel, educational video initiative for youth and adult viewers – a “Salt Spring Island (SSI) Watershed Stewardship” documentary film. Using the context of our SSI watersheds, the film will draw on,…

HOME ENERGY ASSESSOR Dion Hackett does a blower door test.

Thanks for attending$ave Big with Home Energy Assessments, Insulation and Draft Sealing7 pm Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021 We enjoyed a great evening of learning with Home Energy Assessment professionals Mike Jackman, Aron Dalton, and Dion Hackett, as well as a Community Energy Coach from the Clean BC Better Homes Program. Please find the recorded video here and…

Wednesday, October 27, 2021 6:30 – 8:30 pm via zoom Thank you to all who joined us for this dynamic discussion with Dr Ruth Waldick TSS, Bill Henderson: Moderator, Musician, Dr. Susan Hannon: President of the Salt Spring Island Conservancy, Mitchell Sherrin: Captain at Salt Spring Island Fire Rescue, Mark Whitear: Forester, Bryan Young: Chair TSS.…

(Biochar is charcoal that is produced by burning biomass in the absence of oxygen; it is used as a soil amendment. Biochar is a stable solid that is rich in carbon and can endure in soil for thousands of years. Biochar is being investigated as a means of carbon sequestration and as a means to mitigate climate change. Biochar may increase the soil fertility of acidic soils, increase agricultural productivity, and provide…

Join your Climate Action Coaches in the replay of our second webinar! How to Plan Your Rainwater Harvesting System November 9th 2021  7:00 pm on Zoom Watch here. If you are interested in installing cisterns to collect rainwater this rainy season, this webinar is for you.  We are pleased to be joined by our guests: Shannon…

On behalf of all of us at Transition Salt Spring, thanks so much to our over 100 participants for attending our first Climate Action Coach Program webinar ‘All About Heat Pumps’ this past Wednesday evening.  If we didn’t answer all of your questions, or you were not able to join us, you’ll find some resources…

A Salt Spring Island Water Preservation SocietyWatershed Stewardship Project The Water Preservation Society (WPS) FreshWater Catalogue (FWC) website is for those interested in freshwater on an island – Saltspring. From watersheds to water balance and budgets, useful field, educational and interpretative tools and beyond, volunteers and the wider island community will find useful info on…

Fans of e-bikes now have a new place to charge up when visiting Salt Spring Island. Islanders who brave the journey to the deep south from points north of Ganges can now be confident of having enough juice to complete their return home. E-bikes also take a lot of work out of our hills, while…

One Cool Island- An Interview with Robin Annschild BY ANDREA PALFRAMAN, Published in the Driftwood Aug. 10, 2021. Robin Annschild’s love affair with the Burgoyne estuary started back in 2000 when she was part of the movement to protect 5,000 acres in the watershed from clearcut logging. As Conservation Director with the Salt Spring Conservancy…

We believe forests are the key to solve MANY of our problems.  Why? They are economic engines & job creators, fire suppressors and biodiversity enhancers, freshwater harvesters and food suppliers, as well as energy producers! On May 25th, we had an amazing discussion at our Climate Action Network meeting that we want you to hear!…

(start watching at 45 secs) On June 30th, 2021, the Salt Spring Island Conservancy and Transition Salt Spring were thrilled to host two of British Columbia’s top scientific experts on trees, forest ecology, and the effects of climate change. They presented Salt Spring Island’s current condition and future forecast for our forests and trees. Dr.…

Environment In natural ecosystems, invasive plants displace or destroy native plant populations. Many rare and endangered native plants are also at risk from extinction from non-native plant invasion. By removing the natural wildlife, invasive plants also reduce wildlife habitat. Aquatic & Riparian Shallow root systems can increase erosion, causing higher surface runoff, which increases stream…

We believe forests are economic engines & job creators, fire suppressors and biodiversity enhancers, freshwater harvesters and food suppliers, as well as energy producers! A special Climate Action Network presentation with local regenerative forestry experts: Mitchell Sherrin (SS Fire Rescue), Michael Nickels (Seven Ravens Ecoforestry), Mark Lombard (Cortes Community Forest), Erik Piikkila (Yellow Point Ecological…

Let’s Grow Together Follow up chat and links from our TSS event June 9th 2021 (Sincere apologies but the video recording of this event has disappeared into the ethers. The questions below give a good summary of the topics covered.) Thank you to all for your participation in this incredibly informative event on Growing together…

Sun yesterday, rain today. Lately, lounging in the brief blessing of early spring sun seems to be ideal, but after a too short while, the chillies return and there is a need to get moving! If you use a fireplace, and care about the planet, now is the time to get your wood in for…

Did you miss this event on April 21, 2021? Good news! Below is the complete list of links offered along with the video recording. We all know that our island home routinely faces severe drought and fire risk conditions in the summer months, and these risks are increasing.  But there’s a lot we can do…

Every year, nearly one cubic meter of water falls on every square meter of Salt Spring Island. So why do we have a water shortage problem? How and why should we collect and store water? On Sunday, April 18, at 3:00 pm, we hosted a free online zoom seminar about water conservation and storage on…

Did you miss this event on May 19? Good News, you can watch the recorded presentations here! Salt Spring food growers are significantly reducing the GHG emissions we produce by keeping our food systems local. Here is our opportunity to learn what is underway on the island and what we can do to help increase…

Where and how to purchase locally grown meats Salt Spring Farmers Institute Farm Directory Farm Stands and Studio Maps Facebook page for Farm Stands, Farmers, and Foodies of SSI  Island Natural Growers- Local Chapter of Canadian Organic Growers Mentor Gardener Program Are you able to mentor or looking for a garden mentor? Contact Marian Hargrove (250-537-0864) Are you able to offer garden space?…

BLOG: rainwater harvesting and resources about water conservation GUIDE: SSI Non-Potable Rainwater Harvesting Best Practices VIRTUAL TOUR: SSI Rainwater Harvesting Systems WEBINAR: Rainwater Harvesting in the Islands Trust SSIWPA BROCHURE: “Know Your Well” Information about drilled well siting, licensing, registration, testing your well water, and much more! BOOKLET: SSI Lake Stream Ecosystems- Available for $5 at SS Books.…

Learn about Rainbow Road Allotment Gardens and the water conservation, catchment and irrigation systems that make this project a success! View Powerpoint Presentation Here

On March 17th 2021, Transition Salt Spring and Raincoast Conservation Foundation hosted the Green and Blue Carbon Stewardship Workshop. This is the ninth of the series of videos from that workshop. Featuring Shauna Doll (Raincoast Conservation Foundation), Ruth Waldick (Transition Salt Spring) and Bryan Young (Transition Salt Spring) This short session provides a synthesis of…

On March 17th 2021, Transition Salt Spring and Raincoast Conservation Foundation hosted the Green and Blue Carbon Stewardship Workshop. This is the eighth of the series of videos from that workshop. Malcolm Penn is a Spatial Analyst with the Ministry of Primary Industries in New Zealand (NZ) with a focus on the country’s Emissions Trading…

On March 17th 2021, Transition Salt Spring and Raincoast Conservation Foundation hosted the Green and Blue Carbon Stewardship Workshop. This is the seventh of the series of videos from that workshop. In this session, Robert Seaton and Joseph Pallant briefly discuss the tools (e.g. protocols) available to guide the inception of carbon projects and provide…

On March 17th 2021, Transition Salt Spring and Raincoast Conservation Foundation hosted the Green and Blue Carbon Stewardship Workshop. This is the sixth of the series of videos from that workshop. In this session, Dirk Brinkman and Briony Penn discuss the policy changes required to make blue and forest carbon projects feasible in the Salish…

On March 17th 2021, Transition Salt Spring and Raincoast Conservation Foundation hosted the Green and Blue Carbon Stewardship Workshop. This is the fifth of the series of videos from that workshop. Featuring moderator, Briony Penn and panelists, Elizabeth May (MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands), Adam Olsen (BC Green Party MLA for Saanich North & the Islands),…

On March 17th 2021, Transition Salt Spring and Raincoast Conservation Foundation hosted the Green and Blue Carbon Stewardship Workshop. This is the fourth of the series of videos from that workshop. Featuring Marty Kranabetter, the West Coast regional soil scientist with the BC Ministry of Forests in Victoria, who works in soil ecology (especially ectomycorrhizal…

On March 17th 2021, Transition Salt Spring and Raincoast Conservation Foundation hosted the Green and Blue Carbon Stewardship Workshop. This is the third of the series of videos from that workshop. A panel discussion highlighting the challenges and benefits of implementing carbon projects in Canada. Featuring moderator, Joseph Pallant (EcoTrust, BC) and panelists, Daimen Hardie…

Featuring Robert Seaton with workshop opening blessing by W̱IĆKINEM (Erik Pelkey), Hereditary Chief of Tsawout On March 17th 2021, Transition Salt Spring and Raincoast Conservation Foundation hosted the Green and Blue Carbon Stewardship Workshop. This is the second of the series of videos from that workshop. An intermediate learning session for those with a basic…

Featuring Dirk Brinkman & Briony Penn with workshop opening blessing by W̱IĆKINEM (Erik Pelkey), Hereditary Chief of Tsawout. On March 17th 2021, Transition Salt Spring and Raincoast Conservation Foundation hosted the Green and Blue Carbon Stewardship Workshop. This is the first of the series of videos from that workshop. Otherwise known as “carbon projects for…

INFOGRAPHIC: How does a coastal douglas fir forest mitigate climate change?

Video Presentation Recording: On Sunday, April 11th 2021, TSS hosted a presentation by one of Canada’s key biodiversity specialists, Dr. Risa Smith, who helped to clarify the possibilities for local and national science-based initiatives to address climate change. Nature-based solutions are now widely accepted around the world as essential tools for addressing both the Climate…

Here is a list of resources and links from our panelists and participants from the Green and Blue Carbon Stewardship Workshop on March 17th 2021. More to come- please check back! Coastal Douglas Fir forest stewardship guidelines to reduce risk: Versus: From the Climate Action Plan: CAP-2.0-HERES-WHAT-YOU-CAN-DO-PRINTABLE (Good quality printout available at link) ____________________________________________________________________________ CDF_Infographic_Series_Carbon_2021_03_15_FINAL…

As published in the Gulf Islands Driftwood, January 23, 2019, p. 7- also from https://saltspringconservancy.ca/environmentally-friendly-ways-to-deal-with-woody-debris/ With so many branches and trees down from the big storm, it’s important to be Fire-Smart and remove woody debris from areas within 10 metres of our homes before fire season begins. And since a cigarette butt tossed from a car…

Unique 6,000 sq. ft. greenhouse with hyperadobe heat storage wall, high efficiency wood gasifier furnace and water storage cistern, experimental anaerobic digester, rainwater harvesting, commercial hydroponic lettuce production and subtropical fruit production. Concept Jane Squier is a horticulturist interested in appropriate technology and organic growing, and has been a commercial hydroponic lettuce producer for thirty years.…

Off-grid straw bale home: Andrew & Adina 1350 sq. ft home; water catchment system, greywater systems, passive solar design, solar panels for electricity, solar hot water panels for radiant floor heating. Plus yurt and permaculture gardens. Close to Ganges for easy commuting. Yurt Temporary lightweight shelter with a wood floor on a platform on 20 concrete footing…