We Can Do This!

The October 26th deadline to purchase 20 acres of the late Mike Larmour’s lands on Beddis Road is fast approaching. Time is short, and more donations are needed. Over 90% of the funds have already been donated or pledged. We have only days to find the remaining dollars to complete the purchase.

At stake are mature Coastal Douglas-fir and Western red cedar forest and rich wetlands providing habitat for several species at risk, as well as a portion of the Cusheon Lake watershed. 
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Help us close the funding gap and purchase this land!

Ultimately, we hope to raise enough funds to also protect the other 20 acres of these threatened lands, which includes farmland, over 8 acres of forest, two ponds, wetlands, and some of the largest trees on Salt Spring.  

BY PROTECTING THE LARMOUR LANDS, LOTS H AND F, WE CAN...

• vital wetlands and forests filter and purify water as it percolates through natural soils
• natural filtration benefits groundwater in wells and lakes, critical sources of potable water for Salt Spring Island residents
• 13% of Lot H is in the Cusheon Lake watershed
• mature coastal Douglas fir and groves of Western red cedar provide habitat for several species at risk 

• when the neighbouring 45 acres were cut in 2018-20, 15,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide were emitted 
• it will take 60 years for any newly planted forest to be a net sequester of carbon

• species at risk include the Western screech owl, pygmy owl, night hawk, and the blue-grey taildropper slug
• the red-legged frogs (Cusheon Lake is a prime research area for the red-legged frog)
• newts, salamanders, fairy shrimp (females lay dormant in mud for decades or possibly even centuries), and the Mexican freetail bat known as the fastest creature in level flight

• continue Mike Larmour’s lifetime of preserving and protecting water resources and the healthy watersheds that make them possible
• WPS was founded by Mike Larmour and Tom Gossett

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Double the Impact of Your Donation

​Double the impact of your donation and help us close the gap. Thanks to the generosity of an island donor, the next $15,000 dollars donated will be matched dollar for dollar.

If you donate $100, SSI Water Preservation Society will receive $200. Donate $200 and your gift will be doubled to $400.

1. Click and download the form to the right. 
2. Complete it then scan and/or email it to ssiwps2020appeal@gmail.com
3. E-transfer the funds to SSI Water Preservation Society at ssiwps2020appeal@gmail.com
4. Drop cheques and donations forms off at Salt Spring Books during their business hours. Makes cheques payable to SSI Water Preservation Society.
5. OR email ssiwps2020appeal@gmail.com to arrange for a volunteer to come and pick up your completed form and cheque. 

Donations of $20 or greater will receive a tax receipt.

Please direct questions to Rodney Polden at penrod[at]saltspring.com or 250-537-5082
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Lots F and H between Sky Valley Rd. and Beddis Rd.