Conservation
We steward the St. Mary Lake Watershed Reserve for the benefit of all Salt Springers
Maintaining the ecological integrity of the western shore safeguards the Island’s largest supply of fresh water.
In 1986, as development was being planned for Channel Ridge, we signed an agreement with Channel Ridge Properties and Island Trust to transfer 272 acres of watershed land to WPS. A conservation covenant held by the SSI Conservancy and the Land Conservancy of BC protects these lands in their natural state in perpetuity.
The covenant allows public access to hiking trails. Biking, horseback riding, and motorized vehicles are not permitted in order to prevent water contamination due to erosion. Dogs must be leashed to protect the wildlife, plants, and natural values of this protected ecosystem.
In 2022, we received the generous donation of adjacent forest and wetlands, bringing the total protected area to 297 acres.
PHOTO: Sean Wilkinson Safeguarding water quality
St. Mary Lake is the island’s largest source of drinking water, providing for people in the North Salt Spring and Highland-Fernwood Water Districts and on lakefront properties. Keeping the forest intact within the watershed helps control erosion and thus reduce the amount of sediment and phosphorus entering this important water resource.
Promoting outdoor recreation
Hiking trails within the watershed reserve are integrated with the extensive Channel Ridge trail system. Hikers can enjoy views of St. Mary Lake, Stuart Channel, and Trincomali Channel. All visitors are asked to respect the sensitive ecology of the land by staying on the path, keepings dogs leashed, and packing out all garbage.
PHOTO: Anonymous Preserving ecological values
Our conservation covenant protects the forested slopes on the west side of the lake, providing habitat for plants and wildlife, maintaining the natural hydrological cycle, and mitigating climate change by drawing carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
PHOTO: Jean Wilkinson Maxwell Lake remains a pristine source of potable water.
The island’s second largest source of fresh water is protected from development.
In 2002, our fundraising helped the North Salt Spring Waterworks to purchase the majority of the Maxwell Lake watershed from Texada Land Company. WPS owns an additional 20 acres that we received as a generous donation. As a result, the watershed — SSI’s second largest source of fresh water — is protected from development, and its forest cover will remain intact.
With our support, the Climate Adaptation Research Lab (CARL) is working to improve the hydrology and fire resistance of the area.
Monitoring water quality
Historic activities associated with logging, ditching and the draining of wetlands continue to affect water quality and water availability. CARL is monitoring the creek flows to help NSSWD understand the hydrology and identify actions to enhance water storage and water quality.
Reducing fire risk
Across the Southern Gulf Islands, the legacies of industrial logging, exclusion of Indigenous land stewardship, and a reliance on fire suppression have significantly changed the forest ecologies. These modified ecosystems are highly vulnerable to catastrophic wildfire. CARL is engaging regional expertise to identify risk and develop techniques to reduce the movement of fire through the watershed (More info here, here, and here).
Developing partnerships
The work in the watershed is a collaborative activity that builds on local knowledge – from Salt Spring’s permaculture community, native and invasive plant experts (Native Plant Stewardship Group), biologists, research scientists, foresters, hydrologists and wetland restoration practitioners – and engages students and the community in stewardship action (Gulf Island and UVic Restoration of Natural Systems & Wildhaven Ecoliteracy).
Maintaining fresh water resources
Maxwell Lake is the second-largest water source for Salt Spring Island residents. Preserving the natural ecosystem around the lake ensures the supply and quality of this water.
PHOTO: Pierre Mineau PHOTO: Pierre Mineau PHOTO: Alex Harris PHOTO: Pierre Mineau Together, we’ve protected the Larmour lands.
34 acres of vital biodiverse wetland and forest on Beddis Road are now protected from logging and other development pressures.
Restoration has already begun on the valley-bottom portion. The wetlands and areas around large trees within the Agricultural Land Reserve — which are not eligible for covenant protection — are protected for a minimum of 80 years by a profit à prendre arrangement.
Conserving biodiversity
This property comprises a variety of ecozones providing habitat for Western screech owls, pygmy owls, night hawks, blue-grey taildropper slugs, Northern red-legged frogs, newts, salamanders, Mexican free-tailed bats, threaded vertigo snails, and Pacific sideband snails.
Connecting ecosystems
When several protected areas form a larger conservation area, the health and function of an ecosystem is enhanced. Along with several adjacent lots, 18.5 hectares of unbroken natural habitat are now protected.
Protecting forest & wetlands
Forested wetlands are natural sponges that clean and hold water, releasing it slowly to maintain water levels in creeks and groundwater aquifers — critical sources of potable water for local residents. Healthy, moist forests are resistant to fire, storm damage, and erosion.
Sequestering carbon
A mature Western Red Cedar and Coastal Douglas Fir forest can hold 375 tonnes of carbon per hectare, and sequester about 4 tonnes annually. It takes at least 60 years for any newly-planted forest to be a net sequester of carbon.
Randy Polden
Honouring Mike Larmour’s legacy
Mike Larmour was one of WPS’s five co-founders. He dedicated his life to preserving and protecting water resources and the healthy watersheds that make them possible. By purchasing his land, we continue his work.
PHOTO: Randy Polden PHOTO: Usha Reudenbach PHOTO: Randy Polden PHOTO: Randy Polden PHOTO: Randy Polden