UPDATE NOV 2020
I’m very happy to be able to tell you that the project to protect the Larmour Lands took a big step forward the day before yesterday, with SSIWPS taking possession of the first of the two 20-acre lots, Lot H.
This good news has been made possible by the remarkable level of support from you all – our community and our neighbourhood – leading to $800,000 being raised from over 350 individuals in such a short time, to achieve the protection of this part of Mike Larmour’s farm property with its mature Douglas-fir and cedar forests, its extensive rich wetlands, and all the species for whom it is home. I can only add, “Thank you again” in all sincerity. I feel so fortunate to live among this caring and generous community.
The Larmour Lands project will continue, and will be aimed now at raising the necessary funds to bring the adjacent 20 acres of Lot F into the total area that’s protected. A couple of options are available, depending on the funds we are able to raise. Both lots are deserving of longterm legal protection.
For Lot F to avoid being clearcut and subdivided could be achieved by means of an outright purchase, and/or by covenanting the forest areas that are eligible. We are pursuing both strategies, and will have more information once we know the amounts required and the level of support from donors. We will do our best, I can assure you, to bring this to completion with a good outcome for the Larmour Lands.
Please let your acquaintances know that we are inviting donations from today, so that our negotiations with the land-owner can proceed with a good foundation of finances in hand. Our initial fundraising goal will be for $200,000 as soon as possible.
Much appreciation to everyone.
Rodney Polden
The Larmour Lands forest + wetlands — an urgent appeal, and next steps.
Here are the details for pledges and donations to our community project to protect the forest and wetlands between Sky Valley and Beddis Road. It is requested that all donations are accompanied by this completed and signed pledge confirmation form.
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The fundraising drive to protect the first 20 acres of the late Mike Larmour’s lands on Beddis Road from clearcutting has now reached over $650,000, entirely by donations from generous individuals. Time is short, and more donations are urgently needed to enable us to reach our goal. At risk are mature Coastal Douglas-firs and groves of Western Red Cedar, along with rich wetlands that provide habitat for several species at risk, as well as a portion of the Cusheon Lake watershed.
We have a few more days but urgently need your help to reach this goal
Ultimately we hope to raise enough funds to also protect the other 20 acres of these threatened lands, which includes farmland, over 8 acres of forest, 2 ponds, wetlands, and some of the largest trees on Salt Spring.
Please consider donating now to save this land for future generations.
The SSI Water Preservation Society (WPS) is assisting this effort by agreeing to hold the title if our efforts to purchase the land are successful, and to assure it is protected in perpetuity. This will allow charitable tax receipts to be issued for all donations of $20 or more.
WPS president Maxine Leichter says “Salt Spring Island Water Preservation Society is pleased to help this initiative. We already hold title to watershed lands, and Mike Larmour was one of our founding directors; it is a good fit.”
The Land Conservancy of BC, the Salt Spring Island Conservancy and the Islands Trust Conservancy were unable to accept the land at such short notice, but they too have been working co-operatively with us to assist this local volunteer initiative.
Without financial help from generous donors this forest and wetland will likely be lost forever to clearing, filling, road-building and subdivision.
Please join us now to help honour Mike Larmour’s legacy by ensuring that these lands are protected into the future.
“We don’t have much land left like this on Salt Spring. I have walked this land many times and worked with Island Forest Watch to survey this healthy ecosystem’s endangered wildlife and Coastal Douglas-fir, many of which are over 100 years old. We’ve done this before — with the Texada lands in Burgoyne (Xwaaqw’um). We can do it again!” —Briony Penn, writer & ecologist.
Donations may be made by:
Completing, scanning and emailing this pledge form:
and e-transferring funds to: Salt Spring Island Water Preservation Society ssiwps2020appeal@gmail.com
Or by mailing your completed form and a cheque made out to SSI Water Preservation Society to: SSI Water Preservation Society, Ganges PO Box 555, Salt Spring Island, BC V8K 2W3
Or by emailing ssiwps2020appeal@gmail.com to arrange for a volunteer to come and pick up your completed form and cheque.
Please direct all questions to Rodney Polden at penrod@saltspring.com 250-537-5082