Dear Friends of Conservation,

I hope you and your family are staying healthy and safe during this difficult time. In light of COVID-19 concerns, I am writing to you from home as TLC staff are erring on the side of caution and working remotely. While we are a strong little team, we are conscious of our many members, donors, and loved ones who are at greater risk. This morning we met via video conference to discuss projects and ensure that our properties and covenants, programs, and partners continue to remain supported. We might not be working from the same office, but TLC staff and volunteers are continuing to work together to ensure the protection of biodiversity throughout our province.

Social isolation is not a new concept to all of B.C.’s creatures. I’ve been thinking of Takaya, the wolf (canis lupus) who was residing on Discovery Island and ventured into Victoria in January. Possibly seeking food, the wolf followed the coastline and ended up smackdab in the centre of a residential neighbourhood. While conservation officers were able to safely relocate him, we recently heard the devastating news that Takaya had been killed near Shawnigan Lake.

Unlike the inspiring Takaya, most wolves in B.C. are usually found with their family or pack. Also known as the grey wolf or western wolf, wolf communities can help balance our predator/prey systems. Their prey includes racoons, geese, and deer – often the weak or sick of the species – and their leftovers are appreciated by local scavengers and birds of prey like ravens, bears, and eagles.

With intelligence exceeding that of domestic dogs, wolves have clear social structures in their packs. Alphas lead each family, but the entire community is involved in everyday activities from hunting to raising the young. An average litter, born in the spring after a 63-day gestation, includes 4 to 6 fuzzy little pups. New mothers and pups will hunker-down in the safety of a den for their first few weeks, however, other community members will help support them with meal deliveries. At eight weeks old, pups venture out to eat, sleep, and play. As you can imagine, feeding a pack including growing wolf pups requires a large territory for hunting. Unfortunately, as we witnessed with Takaya, the greatest risk to wolves is loss of habitat and humankind.

Corridors of lush, healthy ecosystems are required to sustain animals like Takaya and the estimated 8,500 wolves that reside in B.C. TLC’s properties and conservation covenants, like our corridor of covenants on Cortes Island, provide connectivity for wildlife including bears, cougars, and wolves. In addition to supporting wild wolves’ needs, the vast protected landscape found on Cortes provides habitat for species at risk including barn owls, peregrine falcons, and northern red-legged frogs.

This spring we were hoping to bring Deertrails Naturalist Program participants to Cortes Island to learn from naturalist experts and artists including Sabina Leader Mense, Briony Penn, Rex Weyler, and Ann Mortifee. While COVID-19 has forced us to cancel this session of the program, we are hopeful our fall session will proceed in the Clearwater River Valley. Providing educational opportunities for up-and-coming naturalists at TLC protected sites on Cortes Island or the Clearwater Wetlands and Wildlife Corridors benefits both the students and our organization; students learn about natural systems while developing a greater appreciation for conservation.

Friends of conservation, we need your help in order to continue our most important work. This spring we aim to raise $25,000 to support the ongoing protection of corridors like the Clearwater River Valley, Cortes Island, Fort Shepherd Conservancy Area, and the Sooke Hills. You can ensure that beautiful creatures like Takaya have safe spaces to roam while avoiding human-wildlife conflicts.

Now more than ever the importance of our greenspaces are felt as British Columbian’s, in addition to our wild friends, are seeking out safe and calming areas of sanctuary. For humankind, a hike through the forest helps us breathe fresh air, connect to nature at a time of isolation, and remember how resilient life is.

I know that many of our members and donors will be feeling the effects of COVID-19 physically, emotionally, and financially. Yet, I have been moved by how many members have reached out to ask how they can support us in this trying time. Please know that your support of our efforts is truly appreciated. Please consider donating online at www.conservancy.bc.ca or calling 1-877-485-2422 to make your tax deductible donation today.

We are all eager for the risk of COVID-19 to end, but in the meantime, we are trying to make the best of the situation. When our communities are no longer at risk, I hope to see you at one of TLC’s Passport to Nature events or strolling through Abkhazi Garden. Until then, please take care of yourselves, your loved ones, and communities.

With gratitude,

Cathy Armstrong
Executive Director

P.S. The fantastic watercolour illustrations included in this letter and reply form are courtesy of TLC’s multi-talented Environmental Technician & Land Manager Karen Iwachow. To learn more about nature journaling – a practice shared with participants of TLC’s Deertrails Naturalist Program – visit our website www.conservancy.bc.ca for new video tutorials. A great way to get a little fresh air, taking a calming moment to enjoy nature with a paintbrush or sketchbook is one social isolation activity we can all get behind!