Attention Nature and Plant Enthusiasts! Help Us Restore Our Local Forests The Climate Adaptation Research Lab is calling on your green thumbs and gardening expertise to assist with an exciting Forest and Wetland Restoration Project! We’re working to restore vital native ecosystems in the Maxwell Creek Watershed, and your support can make all the difference.…

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 on improving the resiliency of their forests to climate change and wildfire. On Friday evening, organized by Astrid Arumae of…

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…

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…

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…

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!…

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…

By Anne Parkinson, Published in The Driftwood, June 2, 2021 https://pages.pagesuite.com/0/6/063f2a15-9d0f-4e1c-b29a-300a404f38e2/page.pdf “…in every curving beach, in every grain of sand there is the story of the earth.” Rachel Carson How true this phrase is when exploring the coastline around xʷənen̕əč, Salt Spring Island. From rock to sand to shell, shallow bays to steep cliffs and…

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

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…