Victoria Foundation’s new nature-based climate action funding initiative granted $550,000 to 12 local environmental organizations and two local Nations. Invited to apply for up to $50,000 to protect, restore, and manage the capital region’s terrestrial, freshwater, and/or marine ecosystems, priority was given to Indigenous-led, equity-deserving, community-led, or grassroots nature-based activities. The funding for this one-time initiative is from an individual through their estate.
Georgia Strait Alliance received $30,000 for Centering Communities in Biodiversity Protection and Climate Mitigation Planning for Marine Protected Areas. This funding advances how habitats are safeguarded by emphasizing a broader publi understanding of marine planning and the need for increased community involvement. With three million Strait of Georgia residents, this project connects with government-led processes to balance economic, social, and environmental needs. It connects with marginalized groups often left out of discussions. “We’re learning to have conversations rooted in people’s lived experience.”
Our mission has always been protecting the
health of the Salish Sea and its communities. Now,
they are also mitigating against climate change.
— Christianne Wilhelmson, former Executive Director, Georgia Strait Alliance
Nature-based climate action funding also supports the development of a more comprehensive understanding of Georgia Strait marine ecosystems and their role in mitigating climate impacts. This includes legislative tools and regulations for fishing, boating, and protecting vulnerable species and habitats in marine protected areas, and supporting Parks Canada and First Nations’ co management efforts. “The grant enabled us to hire staff and helped leverage additional funds,” says Christianne Wilhelmson, former Executive Director of Georgia Strait Alliance.
Galiano Conservancy received $50,000 for Demonstrating Climate-Resilient Forest Restoration at Quadra Hill on Galiano Island. This community-based land trust and environmental charity works to protect, steward, and restore Galiano Island ecosystems by creating a network of natural areas. They hold title to 281.5 hectares of protected land, including 47 hectares at the newly created Quadra Hill Nature Reserve. They also hold conservation covenants on 211 hectares and perform land management activities on a further 100 hectares of protected lands owned by the Crown and other conservation organizations.
“Quadra Hill was the missing piece in our network of conservation lands. Our first goal is to safeguard carbon-rich ecosystems on the property. We want to take a simplified forest, a monoculture, and help it move toward a more complex one,” explains Adam Huggins, Restoration Coordinator, Galiano Conservancy.
Dense forests with the same tree species, age, and size form a contiguous canopy. The tree crowns interlock, and no light penetrates — plants and herbaceous species can’t grow. “It creates a situation that is very prone to fire,” clarifies independent biologist Keith Erickson (Galiano Conservancy’s Executive Director (2016-2020), “If there were an ignition, the trees would burn readily and intensely.” With widely spaced trees, a sub-canopy, and shrubs, forests have greater climate resilience. “When thinking about wildlife and habitat, we want layers and places to hide and ways for small animals to hurry up a bush to a small tree. We want to support a diversity of flowers, fruits, and seeds for birds and pollinators. That also translates to the ground and soil — complex above and below.”
Forest restoration involves culling trees. “How do you decide which tree to kill or cull? We look for ecological features, aka anchors in the surrounding forest, to help make these decisions. Is the tree beside a stump refuge to pre-logging soil fungi? Is it shading out a shrub we want?” Felled trees remain on the forest floor (“woody debris”) or are taken to nourish carbon-poor degraded wetlands. The plan includes improving relationships with Hul’q’umi’num’-speaking people on neighbouring Penelakut Island and hiring their fellers. Trees are felled with chainsaws but can be pulled over by hand with a chain hoist and pulley — much slower. “We are looking at that for a small section to host educational programs so visiting students can try pulling trees over safely.” This approach mimics windthrow with the upturned roots creating natural pit and mound structure on the forest floor.
These projects embody a more inclusive and holistic approach to environmental stewardship. Biodiversity, insights into local populations, and Indigenous practices are intertwined, creating resilient, sustainable ecosystems that help mitigate climate change impacts, ensuring the preservation of our natural heritage for future generations.