Salt Spring Island Conservancy

10/14/2026

🍂Up next in our “My Favourite Tree” video series is a conversation with local legend, activist, artist, and author Briony Penn!

🌲Briony shares insights into her favourite tree on Salt Spring, one of the last remaining old growth Douglas firs on the island, and what was once a habitat to the endangered marbled murrelet, SKEKO,KET in SENĆOŦEN.

🪾Briony’s art contribution to “My Favourite Tree” is based on the tree she speaks about here. She’ll be presenting about it even more in depth at the upcoming gala fundraiser.

🌌The “My Favourite Tree” Gala Fundraiser is coming up soon, on October 24! This event combines beautiful, original artworks with education about our special island ecosystem, while raising financial support for both the Salt Spring Island Conservancy and Salt Spring Arts Council.

✨To learn more about our event, follow this link: https://saltspringarts.com/my-favourite-tree/

10/09/2026

Join the Salt Spring Island Conservancy and Nature Salt Spring for an engaging talk by local conservation scientist and author Louise Blight!

Antarctica is a land of extremes. It is the coldest, windiest and most inaccessible part of our planet—and now one of the places most affected by climate change.

In her new book, Where the Earth Meets the Sky, conservation scientist and Salt Spring Island resident Louise Blight recounts her summer studying Adélie penguins on isolated Ross Island with one of the world’s pioneering penguin biologists.

In this presentation, Louise will talk about the realities of conducting field work in one of the world’s most inhospitable places. She will also talk about some of her recent field research in southern BC.

Louise Blight has a PhD in zoology from UBC. She is an adjunct associate professor at UVic’s School of Environmental Studies, and is co-chair of the birds specialist group of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Where the Earth Meets the Sky is the winner of the 2026 Sunshine Coast Writers and Editors Society award for creative non-fiction, and is shortlisted for the UK’s Boardman-Tasker Award for Mountain Literature.

🌟October 29 at 7 pm
🌟265 Blackburn Road
🌟Registration is Required
🌟Register by emailing [email protected]

10/05/2026

10/02/2026

Looking for ways to support us?

We've partnered with ! Download and start donating your bottles directly to us! They'll pick them up for you, just make sure you select Salt Spring Island Conservancy upon refund.

Our donation link: https://app.return-it.ca/6aadb20c5c2ce183176cc926

10/01/2026

🏆Time to draw the winner for a new copy of the much-awaited “Plants of the Pacific Coast”, by Jim Pojar, Andy Mackinnon, Dr. Leigh Joseph/Styawat, and Jamie Fenneman!

🍎Thanks to everyone who came and visited us last month at the Fall Fair and Apple Fest. Keep your eyes peeled for our upcoming events (perhaps a future raffle!?) by subscribing to our email Newsletter!

🔗Follow this link to subscribe: https://saltspringconservancy.ca/get-involved/newsletter/

10/01/2026

✊ At the crossroads of government, industry, Indigenous land defense, and citizen activism, how can communities act in solidarity to protect the planet and our loved ones? Join us on Wednesday, October 7th at 4:30 pm for a screening of the Oscar-shortlisted documentary YANUNI, followed by a 1-hour community discussion.
Last year, YANUNI was the most attended film at the Salt Spring Island Film Festival and won Audience’s Favourite Feature. It follows Juma Xipaia, the first female chief of the Xipaya people in Pará, Brazil, who has survived six assassination attempts while defending her ancestral territory from land grabbers, illegal gold miners, and corporate exploitation. Her journey takes her from a remote Amazonian village to the front lines of climate justice, and ultimately to her appointment as Brazil’s first Secretary of Indigenous Rights.
Come to bear witness, connect, and learn how we can act from where we stand for a healthier planet. A selection of local artwork will also be available for purchase at this gathering.
⏰ When: Wednesday, October 7th, 4:30 pm (film runs 112 minutes)
🌲 Where: Salt Spring Island Conservancy, 265 Blackburn Road
🚪 Admission: Free; ages 18+ due to some violence in the film. Registration required by email or the sign-up link below.
🍲 Food: Soup and bread provided (bring a dish to share if you like)
📩 Registration required, please email your RSVP to [email protected] or by filling the sign-up form here:
🔗 https://form-can.keela.co/yanuni-screening
This event is a collaboration between Transition Salt Spring and the Salt Spring Island Conservancy.

09/11/2026

We're in the Driftwood! 

Chris Drake wrapped up his summer series of Ecological Tours at Blackburn Lake Nature Reserve last week. In late August, Gail Sjuberg joined Chris Drake for a private tour and wrote an article about her experience.

https://gulfislandsdriftwood.com/conservancy-shares-reserve-restoration-strategies/

09/09/2026

We are excited to announce our upcoming fundraising event in partnership with Salt Spring Arts Council. My Favourite Tree combines beautiful, original artworks with education about a special island ecosystem, while raising financial support for two highly regarded local nonprofit organizations during an exclusive afternoon and evening event.

Tickets are $250; seating is limited.

During the fun event taking place at Mahon Hall on October 24, tickets holders will:

-Enjoy nibbles and w**e while viewing “My Favourite Tree” artworks created by local artists
-Enjoy the soulful, evocative songs of Yael Wand
-Learn fascinating facts about Garry Oak Meadows and other secrets of trees
-Dine on fabulous food crafted by Mensch catering
-Bid on “My Favourite Tree” pieces in a silent auction

SILENT ART AUCTION
On Friday night, the evening before the fundraiser, ticket holders will be able to preview, but not bid on, the tantalizing “forest of artwork” on the stage of Mahon from 5 pm - 8 pm. These works of art were created for this theme by a variety of the island’s revered artists, and a couple of youth!

https://saltspringarts.com/uncategorized/my-favourite-tree-gala-tickets/

08/21/2026

The Salt Spring Island Conservancy is excited to announce that we will be having a native plant sale!

Date: Saturday, August 22
Time: 10 am – 2 pm
Location: Blackburn Lake Nature Reserve, 265 Blackburn Road

We will be selling a diversity of native plants including trees, shrubs, forbs and grasses for wetland, dryland and forest ecosystems. There is something for every garden, restoration project and more! The plants will vary in price depending on the species and size of pot. Make sure to drop in while stock lasts! Thank you for supporting the Conservancy. All proceeds will be going towards further conservation efforts.

Any questions? Email to [email protected]

Hope to see you there!

06/26/2026

Ecological Restoration Tour registration is now open!

Join ecologist Chris Drake of Coast Alive Stewardship Services this summer at Blackburn Lake Nature Reserve!

For more information and to register, please visit: https://saltspringconservancy.ca/events/