|
On February 15, 2012, the Conservancy completed the purchase of 76 hectares (188 acres) of land along the western shore of Galiano Island, just south of Retreat Cove. This project has been under discussion for years, and the achievement was cause for celebration, followed by a growing realization of the work that is ahead of us to realize the great potential this land offers to the Galiano community and all of our clients and student visitors.
The new property will enable the building of a learning centre with overnight accommodation and camping opportunities. Students, many from urban settings where they have had little opportunity to experience nature, will learn about ecological systems, and then conduct habitat restoration in which they can plan projects, develop teamwork, and establish a sense of connection with their environment.
The Galiano Restorative Learning Centre has found strong support from our membership, which ranges from the island itself to nearby urban centres. Educators from elementary schools through university express their excitement about learning in and about nature.
As well, we have already offered pilot projects on the land to groups such as the Semperviva Yoga Teacher's in Training. This points to widening the scope of our programs, including new client groups and allowing for a growing contribution to societal health and well being.
The land offers layered opportunities that include protection of an old growth Douglas-fir -- Arbutus ecological community; access to a beautiful sculpted sandstone foreshore for marine programs; a garden area from a historic Galiano farm; and restoration of logged and cleared areas.
The purchase has been supported by funding from the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Mountain Equipment Coop, and many private donors, with assistance from Vancity Credit Union Resilient Capital Program.
Would you like to support this project? Here is how you can help:
- Make a charitable donation today: For example, $3,500 will purchase a quarter acre - more than the size of a typical city lot - what a deal!
- Become a Monthly Donor: By committing to an automatic deposit towards our monthly interest payments you will help us ensure security for our guarantors - for as little as $1 a day and you get a tax-deductible receipt for your annual total!
We are looking forward to having the land secure so we can begin local consultation and a regional visioning process to ensure the Learning Centre will meet the needs and fulfill the dreams of our region's communities, especially our young people.
The Galiano Conservancy Association is a community-based non-profit society and registered charity founded in 1989 and dedicated to protecting the natural and human environment of Galiano Island, British Columbia.
The Conservancy is one of BC's first land trusts, and owns and protects several environmentally sensitive properties on Galiano. We also provide a variety of environmental education programs, and have active projects in the areas of conservation mapping and ecological restoration. In addition we maintain an extensive library and resource collection to which the public has access.
The Conservancy works in partnership with other organizations and is supported by individual donors, private foundations, and government agencies. New members and volunteers are always welcome.
|
