Land Stewardship | November 28, 2023
Protecting Quadra Hill & the Mt. Sutil Extension
Saving Rare Habitats on Galiano Island – Two Major Wins for Nature Conservation January…
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We have active ecological restoration projects across our network of protected areas on Galiano Island, and a restoration team dedicated to designing, implementing, managing, and monitoring restorative initiatives on Galiano Island.
The Galiano Conservancy Association has worked for over two decades to develop and practice novel and effective approaches to ecological restoration. Thousands of volunteers, interns, students, professionals, and community members have participated in our restoration projects.
Currently, we’re working on a watershed-scale restoration project at the Millard Learning Centre – click below to learn more.
As part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021 – 2030), it has never been more important for us to work together to heal degraded ecosystems in our community.
Globally, the next 10 years are critical to combating the climate crisis and saving 1 million species from extinction. It is estimated that natural ecosystems can provide one third of the necessary reductions in greenhouse gas emissions needed to address climate change.
Regionally, we are working together with other organizations and the Vancouver Island Decade on Ecosystem Restoration to address the impacts of industrial logging, urbanization, heavy industry, shipping, industrial fishing, aquaculture, agriculture, invasive species, and pollution. Ecological restoration is essential to preserving regional biodiversity, stabilizing ecosystems, and sequestering carbon.
Locally, we are hard at work every day restoring Galiano Island’s ecosystems. Take a look at what we’ve been up to!
Terrestrial ecosystems on Galiano Island fall into three broad categories. Explore the pages below to learn more about ecological restoration across Galiano’s diverse ecosystems.
Forested ecosystems cover over 75% of Galiano Island, and have been impacted by over a century of forestry, grazing, development, and excessive herbivory.
Wetland ecosystems cover only 1.3% of Galiano Island and have been impacted by drainage, agriculture, and resource extraction.
Meadow ecosystems cover only 3% of Galiano Island, and have been impacted by grazing, fire suppression, development, and introduced species.
We propagate over 100 species of trees, shrubs, herbs, wildflowers, and grasses native to Galiano Island. Visit our nursery at the Millard Learning Centre during business hours to purchase native plants for your own gardening, naturescaping, and restoration projects.
Not all introduced species cause problems, but a number of aggressive introduced species pose major challenges to ecological restoration efforts on Galiano Island. Get to know these species and how to manage them in your own backyard.
Over-population of native Columbian black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) has created significant challenges for conserving and restoring ecosystems on Galiano Island. Find out how the Galiano Conservancy is managing this beloved but over-abundant native species.
Want to get your hands dirty? Here are some ways you can participate in ecological restoration with the Galiano Conservancy.
We host a weekly restoration work party on Fridays from 10 am – 2 pm at the Millard Learning Centre, in addition to periodic events and workshops.
Need some advice on how to care for your land? Learn more about the ecological values of your property and how to conserve and restore them.
Check out our latest posts on what’s happening with ecological restoration on Galiano Island and beyond.
Saving Rare Habitats on Galiano Island – Two Major Wins for Nature Conservation January…
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Adam Huggins, Restoration Coordinator with the Galiano Conservancy Association (GCA), explains the ways topography,…
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By Adam Huggins – Restoration Coordinator, GCA Heavy rainfall at the GCA’s Community Food…
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