In the fall of 2023, the GCA partnered with the BC Parks Foundation (BCPF), Sitka Foundation and one anonymous foundation to protect 4.2 ha of sensitive Garry Oak bluff habitat neighbouring the existing Mt. Sutil Nature Sanctuary. The new protected area, now owned by BCPF and referred to as the Mt. Sutil Extension (MSE), will be leased to GCA for ongoing stewardship, allowing us to effectively control invasive SPECIES across both properties.
The Mt Sutil Extension parcel is characterized by Garry Oak (Quercus garryanna) meadows and associated ecosystems, which are rare and ecologically sensitive ecosystem types. The property also includes steep cliffs, some mature forested talus and a waterfront section.
These south facing woodlands, grasslands, cliffs, and bluffs are home to an incredible diversity of plant and animal species. According to the Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team (GOERT), there are over 100 provincially listed species at risk found in these ecosystems.
The Galiano Conservancy maps and monitors these lands for vegetation communities and continues to survey for rare species occurrences. Mt. Sutil has been acknowledged by botanists, biologists, and conservationists alike as being a rare example of relatively undisturbed Garry oak herb and grassland communities.
For the first time in GCA history, these valuable partnerships have allowed GCA to acquire this land without directly requesting donations from the Galiano community. Generous community donations continue to support the plethora of programs & services offered by the GCA.
This acquisition is a major win for conservation, as it will contribute to the protection of one of the most imperiled and diverse ecosystems in Canada.
