On March 12 and 13, TLC’s Covenant Manager Torrey Archer attended the 2016 Gulf Islands Conservation Conference, held on beautiful Mayne Island and hosted by the Mayne Island Conservancy Society.
Twenty-six different groups, including environmental education organizations and land and marine conservancies, gathered together for the weekend to share their experiences, resources, knowledge and hope for successful stewardship of the Gulf Islands.
The weekend opened with an address from TLC’s own Board member Briony Penn, who spoke to the growing need for the younger generation’s presence in conservation as well as true partnerships with the coastal First Nations whose land we depend on. After acknowledging we were using the traditional territory of the Coast Salish people, attendees realized that not one among us identified as a First People. We questioned how we could build better partnerships with the Peoples that have long known how to manage the land and sea we were all committed to protecting.
The day progressed with presentations by Nikki Wright of SeaChange Marine Conservation, Jill Robinson of Habitat Acquisition Trust, Jennifer Eliason of Islands Trust Fund, Jess Willow and Michelle Spencer of the Gulf Islands Centre for Ecological Learning, Erika Verlinden from Fernwood Outdoor Education, and Alexandra Barron from Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. Breakout groups were then formed where conference attendees could choose which topics interested them the most and discuss further in smaller groups. Topics included: marine mapping and monitoring; initiating and maintaining an effective landowner contact program; resource sharing, tools available for land protection, and; how to get kids outside and connecting with nature.
The day was broken up with some much needed stretching of legs, facilitated by Michelle Spencer’s excellent ice-breaking games that involved throwing balls at each other while learning names, followed by much laughter. We were graciously kept well fed and watered by a host of volunteers in the kitchen, who provided us with nourishing vegetarian, local where possible, food and drink (including island gathered/grown stinging nettle, leek and potato soup!). After a few beers at the local pub, we said goodbye to most conference participants before heading to our beds at various Mayne Islanders homes, the owners of which had graciously opened up their hearts and houses for us.
The remaining participants gathered again the next day for a few more presentations by Allen Slade from the Mayne Island Conservancy Society, Sandra Tassel from American Friends of Canadian Land Trusts, John Pierce from Gabriola Land and Trails Trust, and Carolina Carolsfeld from World Fisheries Trust. After a quick lunch a tour was held at the Mayne Island Conservancy Society’s native plant nursery, run by Rob Underhill. Rob is very passionate and knowledgeable on plant propagation, and the nursery hosts a diverse set of native species used in restoration projects on the island. Rob built and maintains the nursey himself, albeit with some help from summer interns. This is a fantastic program that not only produces much needed locally grown native plants that are adapted to the specific Gulf Island conditions, but also acts as a way to educate people on the myriad of benefits of incorporating native species in their gardens, whether for aesthetic or restoration purposes.
Overall, the weekend afforded the opportunity for some real face-to-face discussions with our partners; making personal connections goes a long way towards true collaboration. Some of the outcomes from the weekend include the desire for a First Nation elder-led decolonization workshop and restoration “how-to”, to better align ourselves as allies on the land and sea. Contributors also helped create a “resource map” where organization’s resources were determined and written on a giant map of the Gulf Islands to help ascertain where resources overlapped and where there were gaps. As most participating organizations are non-profits, resources can be limited so this was an excellent way to visualize how best to support one another.
The overarching message of the weekend was to remember that we are not alone in our fight to save the environment. It was an incredibly uplifting and informative time, where we shared in the successes of our peers and their efforts. Moving forward, we all now have a few extra friends to help us in this plight. A sincere “thank you” is in order to everyone who helped make the weekend a success; the participants, the volunteers, and especially our hosts, the Mayne Island Conservancy Society.
