Trust Area Stewardship Tips Guide

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trees
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Stewardship     
  Tips

Living on the islands, you will make 
many decisions about how you use, 
enjoy, and care for your property. 
With over 67% of land in the Trust Area 
privately owned, residents have an important 
role to play in protecting and stewarding this 
special place. The maintenance, building and 
landscaping decisions you make affect your 
energy use, drought and flood resistance, 
windbreaks, and fire protection. The decisions 
you make can also impact plants and animals 
in your environment, cultural sites, and affect 
the region’s ability to withstand the impacts of 
climate change.
Encompassing the waters  
and islands of the Salish Sea 
between southern Vancouver Island 
and the mainland, the Islands Trust 
Area has been home to Indigenous 
Peoples since time immemorial.  
The region features spectacular 
beauty, extensive cultural sites, and 
some of the world’s most precious 
and endangered ecosystems.

water
trees
land
shorelines

Get to Know 
the Land 
Plan ahead: identify environmental values and 
ensure protection of cultural sites before site 
clearing, planning, and design. 
The Trust Area is  
situated within the territories 
of the Coast Salish Peoples 
and includes many gathering 
places, village sites and 
cultivated harvesting areas, 
dating back over  
14,000 years.

Locate development (new buildings, driveways, landscaping 
and septic systems) away from areas of cultural significance or 
with high environmental value, like shorelines, wetlands, rare 
ecosystems (such as Garry oak meadows), and wildlife trees.
Cluster development in one area to minimize site disturbance, 
protect natural areas, and save money.
Remove invasive species that can out-compete native species. 
Invasive plants can also pose threats to human and animal health, 
fuel wildfires, and devalue a property.
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caret-up American bushtit 
(Psaltriparus minimus)

Think About 
t he   Tr e e s
Healthy forests are vibrant, diverse ecological 
communities with rich environmental and 
community values. They are also among the 
islands’ greatest natural assets for climate 
change resilience and water protection.  

Minimize tree cutting and soil disturbance. The islands’ trees and 
soils have vital ecological and climate values, 
important to both people and wildlife. 
Protect forests on your property to 
support their key functions in providing 
wildlife habitat, absorbing carbon, and 
storing rainwater. Healthy forests protect 
against extreme wildfires, drought, and 
flooding. 
If you do have to address hazard trees, consider leaving the trunk 
behind to provide shelter and food for wildlife.
Are there any eagle, heron or other raptor nests on your property? 
These nests are protected by legislation. Section 34 of the B.C. 
Wildlife Act prohibits interference with nesting trees of raptors, 
whether or not the nests are active. 
To minimize fire risks, all branches <12.5cm diameter 

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