Thetis Island’s first publicly accessible nature reserve is a reality, thanks to work by the Islands Trust Fund, the Thetis Island Nature Conservancy and the Cowichan Community Land Trust.
The new 16-hectare nature reserve, on lower Burchell Hill, will be named Fairyslipper Forest after the delicate calypso “fairyslipper” orchids that bloom on the hill each spring.
For the past three years, Thetis Island residents and other individual supporters raised more than half the purchase amount of $560,000.
Inspired by the community’s passion, the campaign received contributions from the Sitka Foundation ($50,000), the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s Environmental Enhancement Fund ($5,000) and the Gosling Foundation ($2,500).
The campaign finally reached its goal through a bequest of $210,000 from an endowment fund created by Syd Watts and Barbara Dowd, who recognized the Cowichan Community Land Trust in their wills.
“I am thrilled by the support we received on this campaign to create the first publicly accessible nature reserve on Thetis Island and sincerely thank each and every one of our supporters,” said Ann Eriksson, founding board member of the Thetis Island Nature Conservancy. “This beautiful forest will be protected forever, and each gift, no matter how big or small, is a part of that conservation success story.”
To maintain the natural features of the land, only low-impact and First Nations traditional-use activities will be permitted.
This is the 28th nature reserve to be protected by the Islands Trust Fund. Combined with conservation covenants, the organization protects more than 1,250 hectares of natural areas on islands in the Salish Sea.
“The Islands Trust Fund is proud to have partnered with the Thetis Island Nature Conservancy and the Cowichan Community Land Trust to acquire this wonderful property,” said Tony Law, chairman of the trust fund’s board.
“This purchase is a great example of a community working together to ensure the natural areas we enjoy today continue to benefit future generations.”
Formed in 2012, the Thetis Island Nature Conservancy’s goals are to conserve and steward natural ecosystems and to promote community food security. The Cowichan Community Land Trust is a non-profit society founded in 1995 to help landowners find alternatives to the degradation of natural areas and wildlife habitat.
For more information, go to islandstrustfund.bc.ca, thetisislandnatureconservancy.org and cowichanlandtrust.ca.
Memorial for men slain at mosque
The public is invited to a memorial service for six Muslim men killed in a mosque in Quebec City a year ago, today at the Masjid Al-Iman mosque.
A year ago Monday, the six fell victim to a gunman in a place of sanctuary.
The commemoration is aimed at educating and raising awareness about a rising tide of intolerance in Canada.
While the gathering is a space to express and explore feelings of sorrow, it is also a time to speak of love and hope.
The service, with several speakers, runs 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. today at the Masjid Al-Iman mosque, 2218 Quadra St.
For more information, go to org.thebcma.com/victoria.
Get that heirloom appraised
Dust off that item that has been sitting for ages in your attic and find out what it is worth at Trifle or Treasure: What’s It Worth?, a fundraiser for the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Feb. 7 at Kilshaw’s Auctioneers.
The event, sponsored by the Associates of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, is an opportunity for people to discover the value of sentimental items that have been languishing around the house, inherited items, or garage and thrift-store finds.
“Curious Victoria residents can find out the market value and gain insight into the history of their treasures,” said Angela Buckingham, the gallery associates’ event co-chair.
“Perhaps these items have only sentimental value, but there’s always the chance that they are valuable and require insurance. Each participant will receive a verbal appraisal for one of his or her items.”
Now in its third season, the evening will feature two accredited appraisers, two large screens for viewing each transaction and light refreshments. Proceeds from the evening go toward supporting gallery exhibitions and programs.
The fundraiser is supported by Kilshaw’s Auctioneers and Video Links Productions.
Tickets are $45 per person. Participants are asked to bring two easily carried items — only one will be chosen — to receive a verbal appraisal of their value. The event takes place from 6 to 9 p.m., at Kilshaw’s Auctioneers, 1007 Langley St. Tickets are available in person at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, 1040 Moss St., online at aggv.ca/events and at Kilshaw’s Auctioneers.
For more information, go to aggv.ca or call 250-384-4171.
Art raises funds for health co-op
Krista Stogryn, a family physician, and her partner, internationally recognized Coast Salish artist Chris Paul, have just given a print called Our Gift to the Victoria Health Co-operative to use as a fundraiser.
“Our Gift is our humble offering, to acknowledge the Victoria Health Co-operative for all its hard work in supporting the health centre and its devoted team of physicians and staff in the care of our patients,” said Stogryn, who works at the co-op and is a consultant physician with local First Nations.
The print features an individual surrounded and held by a group of helpers and healers.
The blanket behind represents the fabric of the co-op community, in its devotion to caring for and bringing wellness to its members.
In West Coast First Nations culture, wrapping someone in a blanket represents bringing them into a family.
The print was designed by Paul, who brings story to life through his West Coast images.
People can view the print at these venues:
• Meet the Print fundraiser, 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 3 and 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 6, at the Victoria Health Co-op Centre at the James Bay Community Project, 547 Michigan St.
• Window Wanderland, 5 to 10 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Victoria Health Co-op Centre at the James Bay Community Project, 547 Michigan St.
For more information, contact Vanessa Hammond, chairwoman of the Creating Community Wellness Society (which runs the co-op) at 250-415-9272.
Join the Sooke orchestra for afternoon tea
Enjoy a spot of tea while being serenaded by the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus at the orchestra’s Tea and Symphony, Feb. 4 at the Sooke Community Hall.
The fundraiser is Sooke’s version of the Boston or Vienna Pops, where the audience sits around tables with friends while enjoying an informal atmosphere.
There will be a variety of music, from Mozart to Offenbach to Piazzolla.
Nancy Washeim, Sooke’s own soprano, will sing arias by Handel and Haydn. Nicholas Fairbank, the orchestra’s choral director, will conduct the orchestra and will be the soloist in a movement of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20.
Fairbank will also present the Sooke Philharmonic Chorus in some of their favourite relaxing and amusing pieces, which include Pachelbel’s Canon, Tea for Two and Zadok the Priest (Handel’s Coronation Anthem).
Other highlights will include a set of Celtic music and a quartet of tubas.
Tickets are $40 (includes concert and light refreshments). The event runs 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Sooke Community Hall, 2037 Shields Rd., Sooke.
For more information, or for tickets, go to sookephil.ca or call 250-419-3569.
Kids get chance to sing at gala
The Nanaimo-based Vancouver Island Symphony is offering children in Grades 5 to 8 an opportunity to sing with its children’s choir when the symphony performs Beethoven’s 9th in April.
Pierre Simard, the symphony’s artistic director, is marking his 10th anniversary with the group.
To celebrate, selected children will get to sing for 10 weeks with the symphony’s children’s choir. It culminates with a performance of Beethoven as well as Daughter of Elysium, a companion piece written by Canadian composer Arthur Bachmann.
Patricia Plumley, the choral conductor, and Simard will even take some of the choral rehearsals, leading up to the gala performance.
Although the symphony has waived the fee to participate in the choir, it does not mean there are no expenses associated with running the choir. All donations are gratefully accepted.
While there is no cost to join, a commitment to attend rehearsals is required. Rehearsals take place 5 to 6 p.m. February to April at Hope Lutheran Church, 2174 Departure Bay Rd., Nanaimo (across from Brooks Landing).
Students must be recommended by their music teacher. The initiative is a community partnership with School District 68.
The 10th anniversary gala performance takes place April 21.
Register by email at [email protected], fax to 250-754-0165 or call the office at 250-754-0177. For more information, go to vancouverislandsymphony.com.
Inventive students raise money for police officer
Students at the Port Alberni District Secondary School have come up with an innovative angle in their efforts to persuade the city to fund a dedicated police youth-liaison officer for their school.
Emilie Bunt, Gracie Mitchell, Maddie O’Neil-Johns and Morgan Williams, on behalf of the Social Justice 12 class, have come up with A Cup for a Cop campaign.
According to the students’ calculations, the cost of a full-time RCMP youth-liaison officer would be less than a cup of coffee — or about $1.80 a month — for taxpayers.
They argue that the officer would also serve as a role model and counsellor for students.
They took their initial proposal to council Jan. 15.
“The city council meeting went fantastic,” said Anne Ostwald, their teacher at the school. “We felt council listened to our ideas and they also invited us back to speak at the next budget meeting on Jan. 29, and we are extremely excited to present. We hope to add the funding for a youth-liaison officer to the optional projects list for council’s budget.”
As of Saturday evening, the students had an online petition that has attracted 311 signatures, with a goal of 500. To sign the petition, go to change.org/p/ mayor-council-a-cup-for-a-cop.
Meet your police for coffee in Sidney
A desire to reach out to “meet the neighbours” is the idea behind Coffee with a Cop, Tuesday at Serious Coffee in Sidney.
Most people interact with law enforcement only during emergencies or after breaking the law (after being stopped for speeding, for example). Neither situation is effective for building relationships.
Coffee with a Cop is meant to break down barriers, allowing for a more positive interaction.
At Tuesday’s event two RCMP from the Sidney/North Saanich detachment will welcome neighbours and other members of the community to sit down for a coffee or tea with them.
People are invited to ask questions, voice concerns and get to know the officers in a relaxed, informal environment.
The event will run 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday at Serious Coffee, 2417 Beacon Ave. in Sidney.
Group seeks house for refugee family
The Cowichan Neighbourhood Association is looking for a house suitable for a Syrian refugee family.
The organization is sponsoring a family of six and is looking for a three-bedroom house in Chemainus to house them.
They are hoping to find a suitable residence for under $1,800 a month.
Call Arlene at 250-246-3203, [email protected] or cnha.ca.
