News & Events

Due to the combination of adverse air quality and expressed concern regarding the road conditions projected for Sunday August 27^th, we have reluctantly decided to cancel Squitty Bay Day, our community event, scheduled for this coming Sunday. LINC is planning another event this fall to celebrate conservation, stewardship, and community- stay tuned for event updates coming soon! We’re looking forward to gathering when the conditions improve. Thank you for your continual support and understanding.

LINC is excited to announce our upcoming workshop: Planning Charitable Giving Through Your Will on Friday June 23rd from 11:00am – 3:30pm at the JFC.

Join us to welcome Carla Funk, Strategic Fund Development Specialist, who will answer questions and speak to the many options for giving through your Will. If you own property on Lasqueti that is not your primary residence (ex. a summer home or land) you might be interested in learning how to avoid paying the capital gains tax when you transfer your property to the next generation. This event will answer your questions about capital gains taxes, how to donate to charities like the LCA, LLRS and LINC in your will, and other estate planning questions. The presentation is from 11am-12pm and there will be time for individuals to have a private conversation with Carla after her presentation. 

See you there!

A simple way to support bats is to participate in the BC Annual Bat Count this Summer. The BC Community Bat Program is requesting colony reports and volunteer assistance for this citizen-science initiative that encourages residents to count bats at local roost sites. Anyone can volunteer by signing up at bcbats.ca! Ideally four counts are scheduled per roost: two between June 1 and 21 (before pups can fly) and two more between July 11 and August 5 (when pups are flying and exiting the roost with their mothers).
Find more information and sign-up to volunteer for bat counts Here.

Here is a link to a great Bat Count How-to Video by the Kootenay Community Bat Project.

Find the BC Annual Bat Count PDF on the LINC website Here.

Join us, June 3rd & 4th for a Native Plant Talk & Hedgerow Field Day!

Would you like to tune in to the amazing co-evolution of the plants and animals that surround us, learn how you could improve yields of your food crops, plus support and increase pollinators in your garden? Not to mention add to the health of our ecosystem!

LINC is very lucky to have Kristen and James Miskelly visit Lasqueti on June 3 and 4. They are biologists who own the native plant nursery Satinflower in Metchosin and are native plant restoration specialists. 
If you are adding or removing plants from your garden area, or curious about how our flora and fauna fit together, be sure to catch their visit!

An engaging and informative presentation on Coastal Amphibians by Coastal Ecologist Dr. Barb Beasley and Wetland Field Trip was shared on April 22nd following LINC’s AGM. You can find the presentation slides from Barb’s talk here. You can find out more about Barb and her projects here.

Annual General Meeting
Our AGM will take place on Saturday April 22nd (Earth Day!) from 10am-11:30am at the Judith Fisher Centre. Members who have renewed their membership for 2023-2024 are eligible to vote. If you would like to renew your membership ($10-$20) before the AGM you can send an etransfer to: linc@lasqueti.ca <mailto:linc@lasqueti.ca> or bring cash to the meeting.

Following the AGM will be a presentation at the JFC by field trip leader, Barb Beasley from 11:30am-12:30pm

Field Trip
We will meet at the Osland Nature Reserve (off Lake Road) at 1pm for the Wetlands & Amphibians Field Trip – meet at the Hall at 12:45pm to carpool there.

Come to explore, converse, and immerse yourself in some of the wetlands of Lasqueti with coastal ecologist Barb Beasley. We hope to learn about the resident amphibians, birds that are around, the beavers and much more! Bring gear to explore the wetlands if you like, such as rubbers or hip waders, plus a lunch and water. Donations for this field trip are appreciated.

Barb suggests that, “Amphibians are cryptic, enigmatic and curious creatures of study. They’re fascinating – even if you’re not a wildlife fanatic.” Barb sees them as part of the tapestry of life – a form of nature-based art that enriches us. She believes it is important to model and share what we learn about species across landscapes. “Amphibians are indicators of health, and linked to other important values that we can learn about from them.”

About Barb
Barb is the Project leader, Director of the Association of Wetland Stewards for Clayoquot & Barclay Sounds and SPLAT – Society for the Prevention of Little Amphibian Tragedies. Barb splits her time as a contractor and instructor for courses in sustainable forest management and wetland ecology with a specific penchant for birds and amphibians. She has taught numerous field courses through the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre and Quest University. Find out more about Barb and her projects here <https://www.westcoastnest.org/stories/barb-beasley>
We look forward to connecting with you at the wetlands!

We have some scheduled activities for the upcoming year, mark your calendars!

June 3 and 4th LINC will host Kristen and James Miskally who operate Satinflower Native Plant Nursery in Saanich. In a workshop setting, they will help us understand the advantages to growing and nurturing the native plants around us.

June 22 LINC will present an Estate Planning Workshop right here at the Judith Fisher Centre

Questions? Contact linc@lasqueti.ca <mailto:linc@lasqueti.ca> or call: (250) 228-8970

Wetlands & Amphibians Workshop: Explore Converse Immerse

Hosted by The Lasqueti Island Nature Conservancy with special guest Barb Beasley

Date: Saturday April 22nd, 2023

Time: 1pm into the afternoon

Location: Osland Nature Reserve 

Bring: Lunch, water, & gear 

The Day

Come to explore, converse, and immerse yourself in some of the wetlands of Lasqueti with coastal ecologist Barb Beasley. We hope to spot resident amphibians and much more! Bring the appropriate gear to explore the wetlands. Consider bringing rubbers and hip waders. 

The day begins at 10 am and will continue into the afternoon. 

All are welcome, no RSVP required. Donations accepted.

About Barb

Barb is the Project leader, Director of the Association of Wetland Stewards for Clayoquot & Barclay Sounds. Barb splits her time as a contractor and instructor for courses in sustainable forest management and wetland ecology with a specific penchant for birds and amphibians. She has taught numerous field courses through the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre and Quest University. 

Find out more about Barb and her projects here

We look forward to connecting with you at the wetlands!

Questions? Contact linc@lasqueti.ca or call: (250) 228-8970

—

Please note:

Due to adverse weather conditions forecasted we rescheduled the Wetlands & Amphibians Workshop: Explore Converse Immerse from Saturday February 25th to Saturday April 22nd

Thank you for your understanding.

The Lasqueti Island Nature Conservancy is inviting you to a New Year’s Day Hike!

When: 11:00 am (meeting), January 1st, 2023

Where: at Trematon Nature Reserve gate (at the end of Lake Road)

Duration: Approximately 3 hours

To pack: Bring a snack if you have not already overeaten (!)

Hike will be into the Lasqueti Island Ecological Reserve our oldest and first protected landscape.

We are excited to announce an upcoming workshop in the New Year.

When: Saturday January 7^th   from 12pm-4pm

Where: Shari’s Workshop

In this afternoon workshop, learn how to build a Screech-Owl Nest Box. 

All necessary materials will be provided as well as a light snack. 

(More details on the poster attached)

This workshop is by donation.

Spaces are limited. Currently, there is a waitlist.

To put your name on the waitlist, please RSVP via email with your: name, contact information (email/phone), and number of participants (if it is a group or family participating together) to linc@lasqueti.ca

You are welcome to take the Nest Box you build home or leave it with LINC to be installed in a selected Screech-Owl nesting site.

This workshop is presented by:  The Lasqueti Island Nature Conservancy and The Islands Trust Conservancy

See you there!

The end of the year is upon us and the Lasqueti Island Nature Conservancy LINC is preparing to face the challenges and the opportunities that lie ahead.

This year, LINC’s fundraising goal is $10,000. The good news is generous donors have already contributed $ 3,190.98 

Thank you very much to everyone who has already donated!

LINC’s mission is to conserve nature on Lasqueti and surrounding islands and waters through education, stewardship, restoration, and long-term protection of areas of ecological and cultural significance.

Your donations will:

• Contribute to LINC’s Acquisition Fund for our next purchase of land for conservation
• Spread ecological information through hikes, workshops, events and newsletters;
• Help cover the costs to manage properties and run the organization,
• Conduct Lasqueti specific research and outreach projects.  

Please Donate today, it’s easy:

• E-transfer: linc@lasqueti.ca
• CanadaHelps: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/lasqueti-island-nature-conservancy/
• Cheques payable to: Lasqueti Island Nature Conservancy
• Mailing address: Lasqueti Island Nature Conservancy / General Delivery/ Lasqueti Island, BC/ V0R 2J0

Donations over $20 will be issued a charitable receipt.

The LINC Directors extend their gratitude to everyone who contributes energy, time, and money to the essential work of conserving nature and natural systems. Together we can do more. 

Issue #27 of the Lasqueti Island Nature Conservancy newsletter is here.

Find the latest issue and an archive of previous newsletters here.

The Fall newsletter includes a range of articles including:

• Intertidal Landscape of Xwe’etay
• Seen in Passing
• LINC’s Mission Statement
• Community BioBlitz at Mt. Trematon
• Mt. Trematon Biodiversity Study Update
• Native Plants: Juncus effusus (Common Rush, Soft Rush, Swampgrass)
• Powdery Mildew on BigLeaf Maple
• LINC Update and News of Interest: Squitty Bay Day

Wow, what a very successful Squitty Bay Day! The weather was perfect, the food excellent, the hikes were arduous but very informative, workshop/craft booth very popular, the boat ride thrilling, the paintings sublime and the music melodious. 

Thank-you to the over 100 people who came out to Squitty Bay and supported Lasqueti Island Nature Conservancy LINC. Our parks and protected areas thank you too! Generous donations and membership renewals plus food sales brought in over $1,700. 

Special thanks go to:

Workshops/hikes/signs:
Bill Helin, Darlene Olesko, Peter Lironi, Doug Hopwood, Jessica Slavik, Jean Gordon, Marilyn Darwin, Kahlio Dryburg, Shirley Rogers and Ginja Lion.

Thanks to all in the bands:
Ken Pickard, Ken Lertzman, Kuba Suttles, Dave Wilcox, Bob Bickford, Carly Reisig, Bruce McLuckie and Bev Finch – with a special thanks for loaning sound equipment and setting up the tents!

The cooks, kitchen and membership helpers:
Wendy Schneible, Shirley Rogers, Mikyla Lironi, Suzie Rezansoff, Bruce Grant,  Shoshanah Waxman, Barb Brooks, Cynthia Milton, Nora and Lena Deitsch, Ron Abrahams, Richard Chesham, Sharon Chesham, Terry Thompson Jack Barrett and James Schwartz.

We hope you had a wonderful summer, even if you missed this great event. 

LINC depends on our members and supporters to help fund our General programs.  These include education and outreach projects including events like this one, our newsletters, management on reserve lands, and working with landowners to identify and protect important ecosystems –  through stewardship, conservation covenants or acquisition. And, we now have an Acquisition Fund, monies set aside only for acquisition costs. This fund helped with the recent Point Young acquisition. 

All donations over $20 receive a charitable receipt.

Donate through CanadaHelps or directly to Lasqueti Island Nature Conservancy by cheque or e-transfer (linc@lasqueti.ca). Please indicate if you wish your donation to go to the acquisition fund or the general fund. 

Gordon Scott, Chair

---

Photos from a memorable Squitty Bay Day 2022 (Photos by Morgan Maher):

---

Artwork produced during the ‘Whimsical Landscapes’ Workshop led by Darlene Olesko at Squitty Bay Day 2022:

The fun starts at 2 pm. Come to Squitty Bay Day and celebrate our parks and protected areas with the Lasqueti Island Nature Conservancy. Bring water, and anything else you need to stay cool and happy as we walk, create, play and enjoy music and the beauty of nature. Donations of fingerfood goodies are welcome. Admission for the hikes, workshops and the evening bands are by donation. Kids are free. All contributions go to to LINC’s acquisition fund and the other stewardship and educational work we do.

HIKES:  

Join a guided hike to Young Point. Meet at the Salish View parking area (Smokehouse/ Kachina Bay) within the Squitty Bay Marine Park. This is an early opportunity to walk with Gordon Scott the soon-to-be park, exploring the adjoining area recently acquired for conservation by the BC Parks Foundation. 

Join a plant walk and hike to Salish View. Meet at the park’s gathering area near the dock for a plant walk up to Salish View. Join Jessica Slavik, Jean Gordon, local plant experts, and Hilary Duinker and discover rare and medicinal species on the way, see how the wetland plants added around the fenced, wetland area are faring, pass the 300 – 500 year old-growth trees, and then summit the far-reaching view this memorable and protected place is named for.

WORKSHOPS: 

Art: Join in on a “Painting a Whimsical Landscape” workshop in the picnic area overlooking the marina. Darzo Olesko will lead this fun and inspiring workshop. Some supplies will be available, (canvases and some paint).

Crafts: A nature crafting workshop will be held in the main gathering area overlooking the swimming area, known as Little Squitty Bay. Shirley and others will bring some supplies, but you can bring your own shells, stones, and natural objects to create a memorable piece to take home and remind you of the beauty of nature all year.

Kids Treasure Hunt:

Join in on a treasure hunt led by Kahlio, one of our own Lasqueti kids. Meet above the beach and join in on gathering or photographing of some natural, and unnatural objects!

Boat Trip to look at Point Young:

We will have some seats available on a boat for those who wish to see the Point Young area from the water. Meet at the dock.

At 4 – 4:30 we’ll all meet back at Squitty Bay Park’s gathering area for a swim, snacks incl. donuts, and mingle.

We’ll join Bill Helin in honouring the indigenous heritage of the area. The we’ll hear about future LINC events, and conservation opportunities, and check out resources for conserving Lasqueti’s natural habitats and ecosystems here and in our surrounding islands and marine areas.

At 5 delicious food (corn, wraps, and beverages), will be for sale.

Music starts with Kuba and friends 5-5:30.

Next at 5:30 listen to Bev Finch and Ken Lertman. Then we’ll hear a gypsy jazz band Ken Pickard has brought together. To cap off the evening, Bill Helin will lead a drum circle – as we dance and drum into the evening light as it shines on Squitty Bay and our beautiful island home. 

Come join in on the fun this last Sunday of August and support conservation, stewardship & community on Lasqueti and surrounding islands and waters. Many thanks to the leaders of the hikes and workshops and the musicians for their generosity.

Contact linc@lasqueti.ca for more information

Sadly, we will have to postpone the Estate Planning workshop. Our speaker, Carla Funk from ITC has injured her back to the extent that she cannot work for a while. Despite our desperate entreaties to other
possible speakers, no one is available to take her place so we will have to postpone until a later date.

However, we can arrange individually for a discussion with you if you wish to have some introductory information on
·  Options for financial planning that can help reduce or eliminate capital gains taxes (esp. if you have property)
·   How to help your family and the organization’s missions you support
–   Land transfer and conservation options, while you are living or through your Will

Contact linc@lasqueti.ca for more information go to
https://linc.lasqueti.ca/conservation-options/

As the flowers and blossoms come on strong, the seasons turn, with new and unexplored natural events calling us to wake up. LINC is inviting you to attend our 2022 Annual General Meeting, May 22, SUNDAY at the Judith Fisher Centre at 11 am. If you wish to join by zoom, please contact linc at Lasqueti.ca for a zoom link.

After hearing about last year’s projects, we will review and discuss this year’s plans for stewardship and conservation around the island. Then, two new stalwart Lasquetians will stand for election along with the current board.  

Following the business meeting, we invite you to Mt. Trematon to enjoy one of Lasqueti’s Nature Reserves and to have a look at the recent biodiversity restoration project. Put us on your calendar for May 22^st. and bring a lunch. 

On May 30, twenty-eight False Bay School students, families, LINC Board, and community members gathered at Mt. Trematon Nature Reserve to participate in the first all-day Mt. Trematon Bioblitz. The event was organized by Cora Skaien, conservation biologist, Catriona Gordon, environmental educator, Jean Gordon, UVIC Ecological Restoration student, False Bay teachers Petra Knight and Amanda Jahnke and community experts including Jessica Slavik (medicinal plants), Sheila Ray (birds) and Sue Wheeler (butterflies).  Other community environmental educators included Yves Parizeau and Kaia Bryce.
The focus of the day was ecosystem interconnections.  We learned about the need for diverse habitats to support a wide range of species. Students learned about food webs — how a complex web of species with many connections among organisms makes for a resilient ecosystem. Bioblitzers also learned about recycling of nutrients in the food web – for example decomposers such as bacteria and fungi break down leaf litter, which in turn supports new plant growth and soil fauna. 

 The biggest hit with the kids was using “loupes” (otherwise known as hand lenses) to investigate soil invertebrates and the ways in which they have adapted to thrive and reproduce in their natural habitat. We learned how to identify cyanide millipedes (two sets of legs per segment) and that millipedes are vegetarian and eat decomposing plant matter on the forest floor. We also found thread centipedes (one set of legs per segment). We learned that these creatures are carnivorous and with loupes we examined the venomous claws they use to attack their insect prey.

Younger students created alder leaf and bark rubbings. They explored bark textures and became familiar with local tree species by their trunks—the scaly mottled bark of the alder and the distinctive lenticels (horizontal slits) of the bitter cherry.  Older students learned that alder is a pioneer tree species that has a symbiotic relationship with Frankia bacteria. Alders share the sugars produced by photosynthesis with Frankia bacteria and the bacteria pass much-needed nitrogen to the roots of the alders. We discussed how alders produce rich leaf litter to fertilize the forest and that dead alder wood is a key part of slow-release addition of nutrients to the forest. 
Sheila Ray had us all listening in silence for bird calls; by the end of the day many could identify the whinny of the robin and the cuk-cuk-cuk of the Pileated woodpecker. Sue Wheeler talked about the life cycle of the Western tiger swallowtail butterfly and prompted us to be on the look out from May to July for the riparian-loving species that are hosted by bitter cherry and willow.  Jessica Slavik introduced Indigenous uses of native plants found on Trematon. We learned of the many medicinal benefits of nettles — and their value as a strong weaving fiber. 
The day was a memorable hands-on opportunity to explore, investigate, share knowledge and get to know each other and our local flora and fauna on Mt. Trematon.

The calendar is getting full! On Friday, June 24^th LINC with the Last Resort Society are co-hosting a workshop on Estate Planning. Join us at 11 am to welcome Carla Funk, a Strategic Fund Development Specialist with the Islands Trust Conservancy. She will describe options for financial and estate planning that can help you reduce or eliminate costly capital gains taxes, and at the same time help your family and the organizations that you love, as you pass the torch to the next generations. Land transfer to the next generation or other land trust organizations will be of particular interest for discussion.

With the launch of our new website, Lasqueti Island Nature Conservancy is excited to offer you easier site navigation, clearer communication, and a richer multimedia experience. This much-needed update ushers in a new era of possibilities for LINC as a society, and we look forward to increasing our online presence in the days to come. Watch this space for future updates about volunteer activities, society plans and goals, board activities, and more.

We would like to thank the administrators of lasqueti.ca for continuing to host LINC’s digital world, as well as Ian Rusconi for volunteering his time and expertise to create this site. Additional thanks to members of the LINC team: Ken Lertzman, Izzy Harrington, and Julia Woldmo for their contributions and expertise in creating this site. Finally, a thank you to all of the many photographers from the Lasqueti community and community at large who captured these moments in nature – thank you!

---

2021 – a year of restoration & stewardship, while increasing the conservation of land on Lasqueti Island. Here’s a recap of what we’ve done this year. All events included lunches provided by locals.

A big thank you to the volunteers who helped with these great projects in 2021!

·  Held two more spurge purge work parties near the south end fire hall.

·  Completed new public trail at Salish View Nature Reserve.

·  Completed Mt. Trematon Restoration Biodiversity Study proposal and acquired funding for 2021 materials, supplies and paid fence installation work.

·  With Forest Ecologist and member volunteers, completed baseline scientific survey of plant communities of selected restoration sites on Mt. Trematon Nature Reserve.

·  Fenced large 2+ acre exclosure at Mt. Trematon & planted 205 native plants in control areas outside and inside this first exclosure area.

·  Held Annual General Meeting by Zoom, including preparing and providing Annual Report.

·  Installed two new fencing areas at Osland Reserve plus brought 250 native plants to the site.

·  Volunteer watering and monitoring of Salish View restoration fenced area plus planting of 50 additional native seedlings in the exclosure.

·  Completed annual covenant monitoring at all three Nature Reserves.

·  Published three newsletters: Spring, Summer and Winter 2021.

·  Assisted with publicizing, fundraising and conserving Young Point area.

·  Designed, released and summarized results from our 2021 Community Survey.

·  Held three-day Strategic Planning event, preparing for new 2022-25 Strategic Plan

·  Redesigned new website, wrote articles for Lasqueti Local and added content to our Facebook page.

·  Installed Reserve Boundary signs at Salish and Osland Nature Reserves.

Thank you to our volunteers for all their work to sustain and restore nature! In gratitude for the paid fence installers, lunch makers, and restoration specialists.  

---