Nature Stewards Program
Join the international initiative to protect 30% of the planet by 2030
You live in a special place!
Thetis is part of an extremely small and sensitive ecological region called the "Coastal Douglas-fir Biogeoclimatic Zone" (CDF).
The CDF is found only on southeast Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and the southwest mainland coast. Over thousands of years a unique mix of trees, plants, and animals have found a niche in this relatively dry, warm, sunny zone. The CDF has the highest diversity of plant species in BC and the highest diversity of overwintering birds in Canada.
Development has heavily impacted the CDF zone and its rich biodiversity. Almost half of the original forested land has been lost to human activity. Of the remaining forest, less than 1% is old growth. Many species and 98% of ecological communities are at risk of extinction. We need to work hard at protecting what's left.
Since only about 4% of Thetis is protected, we can't rely solely on our nature reserves to sustain biodiversity.
It's up to all of us.
With over 90% of the island privately owned, all Thetis Islanders can play an important role in caring for nature. The Nature Stewards Program encourages residents to play an active role in stewarding and regenerating the land and its biodiversity through habitat restoration, rewilding, and preservation.
How does it work?
The Nature Stewards Program (NSP) is a community-led initiative that offers free site visits with trained NSP Guides who will provide owners with information and resources on the ecological values of their property and practical methods of integrating human and wildlife needs. The aim is to create a long-term conservation and land stewardship ethic within the community, and is a part of a decade-long goal to help protect and conserve at least 30% of our properties in a natural / nature-friendly state by 2030.
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Site Visit
Led by you - the land owner - two NSP Guides will join you on a walkabout of your property, discovering the special elements that make your space unique while also noting actions that could be taken to protect and enhance habitat.
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Cultural Site Visit and/or FireSmart Visit
(Optional)
In addition to the site visit, landowners can opt to schedule a FireSmart visit for more information on best practices to fire proof their property or/and a Cultural Tour with a First Nations Knowledge Keeper to gain a deeper understanding of the land they live on.
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Site Report
Expect a comprehensive site report within a month of the initial site visit. The report includes recommendations, potential stewardship action projects, steps-to-success, and resources.
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Sign a Pledge for Nature
The "Nature Stewards Pledge" is a voluntary, non-legally binding commitment that allows individuals to express their dedication to environmental stewardship. In recognition of your participation, we provide all eligible properties with one of two signs that you can put up at the entrance to your property: Native Habitat Steward or Wildlife Friendly Garden.
"As we work to heal the earth, the earth heals us."
- Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass
Ways you can help
The most important thing you can do on your property to make up for the loss of old growth is to save or create enough space for native trees, plants, and other natural elements and living things to co-exist.
When we all do this, we make an interconnected natural corridor that links wildlife habitat on private land with the island's nature reserves.
That’s thinking like we’re all part of the island’s ecology!
(Mobile view: click on the images below for more information.)
Explore
A handful of helpful resources to get you started:
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Become a Nature Steward (ThINC) - a pamphlet about the Nature Stewards Program
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Actions for Habitat Stewardship (ThINC) - a list of actions you can take to preserve, protect, and restore habitat on your property
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Thetis Island CDF Fact Sheet (Islands Trust Conservancy) - about coastal Douglas-fir forests
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A Sensitive Ecosystem Guide for Islands Trust Area Property Owners (Islands Trust)
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Choosing a Building Site on your Lot fact sheet (Islands Trust)
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Develop with Care 2014 (Government of BC) - environmental guidelines for urban and rural land development in British Columbia
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Gardening with Native Plants (Habitat Acquisition Trust)
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Invasive Species Council of BC - learn more about invasive species on Thetis Island
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Ecosystem Guide: A Hul’q’umi’num’ language guide to plants and animals of southern Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Salish Sea (Parks Canada)
We are grateful for the traditional knowledge shared by Ken Thomas, Marya Luby, and Elder Augie Sylvester from the Penelakut Tribe; the work done by Habitat Acquisition Trust (HAT), Gabriola Lands and Trails Trust (GaLTT), and Islands Trust Conservancy in the informing of this program; and the Guides who make it possible.
The Nature Stewards Program is funded by the Province of British Columbia, The McLean Foundation, BC Conservation and Biodiversity Awards, and the Islands Trust Conservancy Opportunity Fund, as well as through donations and ThINC memberships.
