The Heron Newsletter - Fall 2023

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Heron
the
A newsletter from the Islands Trust Conservancy, protecting islands in the Salish Sea | islandstrust.bc.ca/conservancyfall 2023
Stewardship  
in Action 
 p. 2
For links and additional media, visit the Heron newsletter online. 
www. islandstrust.bc.ca/conservancy/heron-newsletter/
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Celebrating 
Community 
Conservation
Installing Western Screech-Owl nest boxes. Photo: C. FunkInstalling Western Screech-Owl nest boxes. Photo: C. Funk
Coastal Scouler’s Catchfly 
Photo: R. Batten
Reginald Hill Conservation Area on Salt Spring Island
photo: K. Mayes
What Will Your Legacy Be? p. 3
Take me home!
This newsletter is provided FREE by ITC

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
Stewardship in Action
Western Screech-Owl 
Protected areas shelter species-at-risk habitat from development and other 
negative human impacts. Our Species at Risk Program works with biologists 
to learn more about the species at risk on ITC protected lands. One example 
is our work with the Western Screech-Owl (Megascops kennicottii kennicottii) 
listed as Threatened under the Species at Risk Act, and provincially Blue-listed 
as a species of Special Concern. Due to historic logging, nesting cavities in big 
trees are limited. ITC staff, biologists, and volunteers have installed nest boxes 
across three ITC properties to enhance their habitat. Recently, their efforts were 
rewarded when Western Screech-Owl calls were picked up by audio recorders 
confirming their presence on the properties. 
“Stewardship does great good, even if we have to wait a 
long time to see the results of that work.” 
– Kathryn Martell, Ecosystems Protection Specialist, 
Islands Trust Conservancy
Coastal Scouler’s Catchfly & Yellow Montane Violet 
High up in the Mt. Tuam Protected Area Conservation Covenant on Salt 
Spring Island grow the Coastal Scouler’s Catchfly and Yellow Montane Violet, 
both extremely rare and Endangered wildflowers found within Garry Oak 
meadows. To support their recovery, ITC installed fencing to protect their 
critical habitat from deer and other herbivores. In 2022, the catchfly population 
increased b

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