Islands Trust Conservancy Annual Report 2020-2021

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2020/21
Annual
Report

Kate-Louise Stamford 
Chair
Sue Ellen Fast
Linda Adams
Doug Fenton
Donald Clarke
Susan Hannon
Board
Cover: Harlequin duck, Ballingall Islets. photo: kristine mayes
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Kathryn Martell 
Ecosystem Protection Specialist
Nuala Murphy 
Property Management Specialist 
Erin Coulson 
Communications Specialist
Corlynn Strachan 
Administrative Assistant
Kate Emmings 
Manager
Carla Funk 
Fundraising Specialist
Jemma Green 
Covenant Management and 
Outreach Specialist
Staff
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Message from 
the Islands Trust 
Conservancy Board 
Chair
It was only a few months into the COVID-19 Pandemic when we 
prepared the Islands Trust Conservancy Annual Report last year, yet 
already the effects of the lockdown, physical distancing, and concerns 
about the illness, itself, were becoming apparent to island communities. 
Speaking to resilience and flexibility, we prepared for the extra challenges 
of supporting and enhancing species and ecosystems on islands in the 
Salish Sea during a very uncertain time for everyone. 
As predicted, natural places became islands of safe company in a world of 
physical distancing; touchstones of natural space to breathe and appreciate 
the here and now, away from daily statistics and travel bans. The nature 
reserves, covenanted lands, and parks that Islands Trust Conservancy 
supports became even more popular local destinations for island communi-
ties. What wasn’t predicted was how rampant the acquisition of rural island 
real-estate would become. While this has provided opportunities for the 
Conservancy as land has changed ownership, it has also potentially priced 
many biodiverse areas out of consideration.
We celebrated our 30th anniversary as Islands Trust Conservancy this 
past year and marked that occasion with the addition of the 30th nature 
reserve at Sandy Beach, Lhek̲’tínes/Keats Island. This exceptional entrant 
to the protected places we have the great honour to steward in perpetuity 
brought together the local community, First Nations, and partner conser-
vancies as a great example of how the Conservancy wants to move forward 
in the future. Ongoing collaboration among these important partners will 
yield a management plan over the next year. 
Despite travel restrictions, Islands Trust Conservancy staff continued to 
monitor the lands in our care. Almost all the nature reserves and covenants 
were visited either by staff, in a manner that was safe and respectful to local 
residents, or by on-island partner conservancies and contractors. Visits were 
prioritized by assessed risk and those areas that could not be monitored in 
person over the past year will be monitored in the upcoming season, if B.C. 
health guidelines permit travel over the summer.   
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In October of 2020, Islands Trust Conservancy began the vital work of 
preparing a Reconciliation Action Plan re

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