Background The Gulf Islands are home to populations of native Columbian black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) and, in some cases, introduced fallow deer (Dama dama). Due to the near-extirpation of native predator populations (including wolves, cougars, and bears) from the islands, and decreasing human hunting pressure over the past century, local deer populations have expanded […]
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Galiano Conservancy’s Annual Battle of the Broom
The yellow blooms that pepper rocky outcrops and disturbed slopes each spring signal the advent of the Galiano Conservancy’s annual Scotch broom removal campaign. As has become tradition, interns and the summer students, led by the fearless Jenna Falk, hike up the face of Mount Sutil every year armed with loppers and harnesses, ready to […]
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Help Bats for Halloween
As Halloween approaches Images of scary, blood-sucking bats become common place in fall. This is the perfect time of year to join with the BC Community Bat Program, and the Little Brown Myotis Bat Project on Galiano Island to counter these bat myths and do something to help bats. “The conservation of bats in BC […]
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Battling Broom on Mt. Sutil
The resilient and invasive Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) is back in full force this season, with flowers quickly coming into bloom in disturbed sunny sites across the island. Distinguished by its bright yellow flowers and woody stem, the perennial plant can have up to 3500 seed pods per individual, which when released, can travel up […]
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Annual Bat Count on Galiano Island
Volunteers for BC Bat Counts The Galiano Conservancy Association is seeking volunteers and bat colonies for the Annual Bat Count. This citizen-science initiative encourages residents to count bats at local roost sites. “Bat counts are a wonderful way for residents to get involved in collecting important scientific information” says biologist Mandy Kellner, coordinator of the […]
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Spring brings increasing interest in bat health and public reports of bats
Fortunately for the bats of BC, it has been a quiet winter. The Little Brown Myotis Conservation Project on Galiano Island, in collaboration with the Province of BC, is on the lookout for signs of White-Nose Syndrome (WNS). WNS is a fungal disease harmless to humans but responsible for the deaths of millions of insect-eating […]
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Community Dialogue: What do you value in the Salish Sea?
Are you concerned about the state of the Salish Sea ecosystems and species at risk? Have you heard about the proposed National Marine Conservation Area for the Southern Strait of Georgia? Do you have questions or input that you would like to discuss in regards to protecting the Salish Sea? Come join us for a […]
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Public help needed to monitor spread of deadly bat disease
WANTED: Reports of dead bats and of bats flying during winter This article is being shared on behalf of our friends at Habitat Acquisition Trust in Victoria. White Nose Syndrome (WNS), a fungal disease responsible for the death of millions of bats in eastern North America, has moved to the west coast and was confirmed […]
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Respect Your Elders: Plunging Into The Rockfish Project
Endangered rockfish are making waves around the Southern Gulf Islands through the hard work of local scientists and conservation groups.
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Coastal Ecosystems at Risk
The Salish Sea is particularly rich in biodiversity, due to a combination of shelter from extreme storms and strong natural upwelling. The coastal ecosystems of this region support a large number of species, many of which are now at risk due to encroaching urban development, high marine traffic, and exploitation. Galiano Island sits in the […]
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