Waist-deep in vibrant violet, cream, yellow, and magenta native species, Dr. Tara Martin spent the early days of the pandemic lockdown completing a full floristic and fauna survey of SISȻENEM (Halibut Island) with her two young children in tow. A UBC Faculty of Forestry Professor and Conservation Decisions Lab Head, Tara is no stranger to the 9.67-acre island off the east coast of Sidney Island; she grew up on Salt Spring Island and spent her youth passing the rare and intact ecosystem by boat.
Unlike any other island in the Salish Sea, Halibut Island supports Garry oak, arbutus, and Douglas-fir woodlands, and open wildflower meadows. Garry oak associated ecosystems support many of Canada’s species at risk including the common nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) and popcorn flower (Plagiobothrys tenellus).
Landing on the island is most easily accomplished via the northern beach. Here you are likely to witness seals sunning themselves on rocks and a cacophony of resident and migratory birds. The northeast approach is also the site of a lagoon full of clams and oysters where seals and harlequin ducks are regularly seen frolicking and foraging for treats. A family of 17 resident harlequins can be found drifting with the tide around the island. They spend most of the year at Halibut, only leaving to complete their breeding and nesting process.
From the edge of the northern-most beach to the Douglas-fir forest found in the middle of the island are mesmerizing meadows of native species in an abundance that is no longer witnessed in our impacted communities. Carpeting these meadows, white fawn lilies (Erythronium Oregonum) are one of the first plants that will flower on the island this spring. Great Camas (Camassia leichtlinii), with its sweet, edible bulb and blue-purple flowers abound. Chocolate lilies (Fritillaria biflora), also known as rice root, with stems the width of a finger have been found on the island; growth rings in their bulbs date these plants between 70 and 100 years of age. This is extraordinary. These native species are rarely found at this maturity, however, Halibut Island’s lack of browsing from people and animals such as deer makes this site special.
Today, Tara’s research brings her back to this one-of-a-kind island. Inspired by the remarkable pollinators that she has witnessed while surveying, this spring Tara and her team will be working on a study to compare bumblebee diversity on islands with intact flora such as Halibut Island to their counterparts that have lost their abundance. This work will aid in documenting the importance of native plants in sustaining the entirety of ecosystems.
With her focus on the eco-cultural restoration of places like Halibut Island, Tara has been a welcome partner in our initial baseline inventories and the development of restoration and management plans that carefully consider the health and prosperity of the diversity of life on the island. For example, the island is home to three breeding pairs of oystercatchers that nest on the northern end of the island, as well as rufous hummingbirds and resident bald eagles with active nests in the Douglas-fir forest at the center of the island. When strategizing and completing restoration work including the removal of the previous owner’s equipment, it is vitally important that our efforts are scheduled when it will least impact natural processes.
The island is incredibly important ecologically, but it also has great cultural significance. Shell middens, culturally modified trees, and plants with cultural importance abound. Death camas (Zigadenus venenosus), with its poisonous bulb, was often weeded out and thrown to the edge of such islands to protect gatherers from misidentifying it as the edible common camas (Camassia quamash). Today, death camas is found around the edge of Halibut Island. The consumption plant (Lomatium nudicaule) is also found throughout the island; Tara notes that she has not witnessed it in this abundance anywhere in our Gulf Islands.
Documenting plant species is an integral part of creating baselines for protective covenants. Among the many found on Halibut are three species of native onion, Nootka rose (Rosa nutkana), baldhip rose (Rosa gymnocarpa), Saskatoon berry (Amelanchier alnifolia), and Harsh Paintbrush (Castilleja hispida). In addition to the ecologically and culturally significant features, the island bears witness to the same geologic formation as Sidney Island. It is comprised of bedrock carved by the last glaciation, basal conglomerate, and sandstone outcrops containing exposed fossils of bivalves and mollusks including ammonite fossils. This formation on Sidney Island and Island View Beach led to the discovery of mastodon and other prehistoric fossils.
This island is unlike any other that remains in the Salish Sea.
According to Dr. Martin, ecosystems in this state just do not exist anymore.
In order to protect and restore this site, as well as provide research and educational opportunities for students of all ages, TLC is working to create and register a conservation covenant that will remain on the property title indefinitely. In keeping with the wishes of the donor who funded the acquisition, ownership of the island will be transferred to the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council in years to come. This method of covenanting ecologically significant lands and transferring to other groups is common in conservation circles and provides protection and access for cultural, ecological, and restoration activities.
With member and donor support, last year TLC achieved its goal in protecting 27 acres of watershed in the District of Highlands. This year we were pleased to announce that a donor had stepped forward to cover the entirety of the Halibut Island purchase price after hearing about the project from Tara.
Today, three donors have stepped forward to support this unique project by matching gifts 2:1 up to $60,000. That means that for each dollar you donate today we receive three! We have now raised $21,450 toward our total goal.
Will you join other TLC donors in supporting this important project?
Please consider donating online at www.conservancy.bc.ca or calling 1-877-485-2422 to make your donation today towards the restoration and covenant work necessary on Halibut Island. Donations are eligible for 2021 tax receipts.
Habitats like those found on Halibut Island are becoming increasingly rare. Through covenant monitoring and restoration work we can ensure that this site continues as an ecological jewel in the Salish Sea. Thank you for supporting this unique and vibrant ecosystem.
With gratitude,
Cathy Armstrong
Executive Director
