Voices for the Islands
Thirty Years of Nature Conservation on the Salish Sea
by Sheila Harrington
Book Launch
Author Sheila Harrington shares stories, insights and excerpts from her new book, Voices for the Islands: Thirty Years of Nature Conservation on the Salish Sea.
Recorded at the Judith Fisher Centre, Lasqueti Island, July 21, 2024.
Voices for the Islands
Thirty Years of Nature Conservation on the Salish Sea
By: Sheila Harrington
Foreword by: Briony Penn
About the Book
A fascinating compendium of stories chronicling the creation of local nature conservancies, and the people behind them, on seventeen islands on the Salish Sea from the 1990s to the present day.
Voices for the Islands brings together the stories and experiences of those who rose to protect areas at risk within their island communities. Narratively linked by author Sheila Harrington’s three-year sailing journey among the islands to interview more than fifty veteran conservationists, the book shares an in-depth view of local protests and the history and evolution of local conservancies from their timely emergence through legal battles and successful partnerships. It highlights how local, provincial, and national support was won, through the collaborative efforts of dedicated locals, resulting in hundreds of new protected areas and parks within one of the most at-risk ecological communities in Canada—the islands of the Salish Sea.
Reviews
“As a sailor, I have had the privilege of visiting every one of the islands in this book and hiked many trails in the parks and protected areas. Each Gulf Island holds a distinct beauty where orange Arbutus trees reach for the sun off rocky cliffs while towering Douglas fir support Bald Eagles in their treetop nests. Orca, humpback whales and seals wander the deep waters. It is a delight to follow in the wake of fellow sailor Sheila Harrington as she meets the people and organizations that have fought tirelessly to preserve these unique ecosystems for future generations to enjoy.”
—Bob McDonald OC, author, journalist, and host of CBC’s Quirks & Quarks
“At last, a Good New Story. This book details the ongoing successful battles to preserve the natural spaces on the treasured Islands of the Salish Sea. Engagingly written, part chronology, part inspiration and part guide for the future. It details the battles and sacrifices of the many dedicated crusaders for Mother Gaia.”
—Bobbi Hunter, Greenpeace co-founder and editor/contributor of Mr. Mindbomb: A Life in Stories
—BC BookWorld, reviewed by Caroline Woodward
—Ric Careless OBC, founding member of the Sierra Club of BC and BC Parks Foundation
—Duane West, former superintendent of Parks Canada, former director of Gabriola Lands and Trails Trust, and current director of Lasqueti Island Nature Conservancy
Press
North by Northwest with Margaret Gallagher
Sheila Harrington on her book Voices for the Islands
Conservationist details nature preservation efforts on Salish Sea islands in new book
Chronicling 30 years of island preservation movements on the Salish Sea
Harrington launches voices for the islands
https://gulfislandsdriftwood.com/harrington-launches-voices-for-the-islands/
Voices for the Islands helps readers turn apathy into action
Saving the Mill Farm: The story of how Salt Spring Island Conservancy got its start
An excerpt from a new book on local nature conservancies digs into the early days of the Salt Spring group, and how a surprising turn in court helped it save a 160-acre farm
Book Talk: ‘Voices for the Islands’ with Sheila Harrington
https://kinute.com/stories/661677558-book-talk-voices-for-the-islands-with-sheila-harrington
About the Author
Sheila Harrington is an author, sailor, and environmental advocate with a thirty-year career in the conservation field. She was the founding executive director of the Land Trust Alliance of BC (LTABC) from 1997 to 2011 and a director of the Lasqueti Island Nature Conservancy for more than twelve years. She is co-author of the bestselling Islands in the Salish Sea Community Atlas, a finalist for two BC Book Awards and third-place winner of the BC Historical Federation prize. She edited and published Positive Vibrations magazine in the 90s and Giving the Land a Voice, Mapping Our Home Places and the BC Kingfisher magazine in the early 2000s. She currently lives off-grid on Lasqueti Island.
Sheila Harrington with her new book, photo by Heather Crawford