The Heron Newsletter - Fall 2024

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A newsletter from the Islands Trust Conservancy, protecting islands in the Salish Sea | islandstrust.bc.ca/conservancy
FALL 2024
        
Stewardship 
Tips for Fall 
 p. 2
For links and additional media, visit the Heron Newsletter online. 
www.islandstrust.bc.ca/conservancy/heron-newsletter/
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Take me home!
This newsletter is provided FREE by ITC
waterfall on salt spring island. photo: kristine mayes
First Nations 
Engagement at ITC 
 p. 3
the
Heron
William’s 
Story
Islands Trust 
Conservancy’s 
Youngest Donor
p.3 
fall foliage. photo: carla funkBeach wood. Photo: lisa wilcox

Islands Trust and Islands Trust Conservancy respectfully acknowledge that the lands and waters that encompass the 
Islands Trust Area have been home to Indigenous peoples since time immemorial and that their deep connection to 
the islands continues to this day. We are committed to reconciliation, to upholding the rights of Indigenous peoples, 
and to working together to preserve and protect this ecologically, culturally, and spiritually significant region in the 
Salish Sea. The Islands Trust Area is located in the treaty and territorial lands and waters of the BOḰEĆEN, Cowichan 
Tribes, K’ómoks, Lyackson, MÁLEXEȽ, Qualicum, scəẃaθən, səlilw ̓ ətaɬ, SEMYOME, shíshálh, Sḵwx
̱
wú7mesh, 
Snaw-naw-as, Snuneymuxw, Songhees, Spune’luxutth’, SȾÁUTW
̱
 , Stz’uminus, ɬaʔəmen, Ts’uubaa-asatx, 
Wei Wai Kum, We Wai Kai, W
̱
 JOȽEȽP, W
̱
SIḴEM, Xeláltxw, Xwémalhkwu, Xwsepsum, and xʷməθkʷəy.
Photo: Lisa wILCOX
Join us in protecting and preserving the unique and special nature of the islands in the Salish Sea as the seasons 
change. We want to make it easy for you to participate in land and species stewardship on your property and in your 
community, so in this issue, we’re sharing some helpful stewardship tips for fall.
Leave the Leaves
Leaving fallen leaves and plant stems is one of the most valuable things you 
can do to protect pollinators and other invertebrates. Leaves provide habitat 
essential to the survival of everything from moths and butterflies, to snails 
and spiders. 
For example, some butterflies lay their eggs on fallen leaves, so that the 
leaves can be eaten by the caterpillars as soon as they emerge. For other 
species, cocoons and chrysalises are actually made of leaves, or camouflaged 
to look like leaves. 
Bumblebees and other butterfly caterpillars rely on leaf litter for shelter 
from winter weather and predators. Similarly, hollow plant stems provide an 
excellent place for native bees to hibernate.
       Plant and Sow Native Plants
Fall is the best time to enhance your garden with native species because we 
can mimic natural cycles. Many native wildflowers naturally drop their seed at 
the end of summer and some require exposure to cold, moist conditions for a 
period of time in order to germinate (this is called cold-stratification). 
Fall is also a good time for planting because it allows roots to establish before 
the winter freeze, so they

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