See our Educational Portal: Salt Spring Island’s Coastal Douglas fir (CDF) forests are part of a globally rare ecological zone found almost exclusively on BC’s south coast. These forests and associated ecosystems are critical to the health of island communities – watershed health and freshwater availability, resilience from drought, flood and fire, and mitigation of impacts of…

We’re proud to share that Dr. Ruth Waldick, Lead Scientist with Transition Salt Spring and head of the Climate Adaptation Research Lab (CARL), is featured in a new University of Victoria podcast exploring how our communities can better respond to extreme heat and wildfire risk. Ruth appears in Episode 3: “Ruth” of A Hot Topic:…

Salt Spring is home to a wide variety of ecosystems and habitats that are intricately interconnected. Nutrients from the Salish Sea — carried inland by birds of prey, otters, and other predators — feed the forests, which in turn help regulate the freshwater systems that sustain life across the island. From the multi-layered canopies of…

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 logging methods on fire risk and the pathways to reducing wildfire threats in our region. Listen to the entire presentation…

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 how local ecosystems respond to fire, drought, and forest degradation. Learn how place-based science, climate adaptation strategies, and community collaboration…

This eye-opening presentation brings together ecological science and local expertise to explore the growing risks to Salt Spring Island’s Mt. Maxwell Creek Watershed due to climate change. Learn how shifting weather patterns, wildfire hazards, and watershed vulnerabilities intersect—and what we can do to safeguard this vital ecosystem. Presenters: Dr. Ruth Waldick and Robert SeatonDuration: 29…

In this insightful presentation, Transition Salt Spring explores best practices for caring for Coastal Douglas‑fir forests — one of our region’s most precious and vulnerable ecosystems. Learn how ecological stewardship can reduce fire risk, support biodiversity, and protect our watershed. What You’ll Learn: Related Resources: