Sep 18, 2020 - Islands Trust Conservancy Receives an Investment of $597,000 Over Three Years to Protect Species at Risk

Extracted text (beginning)

A Conservancy for islands of the Salish Sea 
Ballenas-Winchelsea    Bowen    Denman    Gabriola    Galiano    Gambier    Hornby 
Lasqueti    Mayne    North Pender    Salt Spring    Saturna    South Pender    Thetis 
 
 
News Release  
200-1627 Fort Street, Victoria, BC  V8R 1H8 
Telephone: 250-405-5186   Fax: 250-405-5155 
Toll-free via Service BC 1 800-663-7867 or in Vancouver 604-660-2421 
itcmail@islandstrust.bc.ca     www.islandstrustconservancy.ca 
September 18, 2020  2020-02-ITC 
 
ISLANDS TRUST CONSERVANCY RECEIVES AN INVESTMENT OF $597,000  
OVER THREE YEARS TO PROTECT SPECIES AT RISK 
 
Lək
̓
ʷəŋən, METULIYE/Victoria, British Columbia    The federal government is recognizing the importance 
of species at risk on the Gulf and Howe Sound islands. The islands in the Salish Sea, near the urban areas of 
Vancouver, Victoria and Nanaimo, are a hotspot for species diversity and have one of the highest densities of 
species at risk in Canada. To support efforts to protect species at risk on the Gulf and Howe Sound islands, 
Environment and Climate Change Canada is investing $597,000 in the launch of the Islands Trust 
Conservancy’s new Species at Risk Program.  
 
The federal government, in collaboration with the provinces and territories, is implementing a pan-Canadian 
approach to transforming species at risk conservation in Canada. Priority places selected have significant 
biodiversity, concentrations of species at risk, and opportunities to advance conservation efforts. 
 
The Gulf and Howe Sound islands fall into a zone identified as a priority under the pan-Canadian approach. 
The islands and mainland surrounding the Salish Sea are a hotspot for biodiversity, with more than 100 
federally listed species at risk in the area. 
 
A contribution agreement between Environment and Climate Change Canada and Islands Trust Conservancy 
will provide $597,000 over three years to support species at risk programs that will include: 
 Conducting surveys and monitoring 
 Restoring critical habitat 
 Providing outreach materials and events  
 Assisting landowners who wish to protect species at risk on their land 
 Engaging and working with First Nations  
 
Islands Trust Conservancy currently manages habitat for over 25 known federal species at risk across its 
network of 106 protected areas. With this investment, Islands Trust Conservancy will broaden and increase 
conservation of species at risk in the Islands Trust Area. 
 
Quotes 
 
“We are very pleased to support Islands Trust Conservancy in their work to conserve Garry oak and other 
rare ecosystems in southwest BC.  We are contributing $597,000 over 3 years through the Canada Nature 
Fund towards this important project in the Gulf Islands. This priority place is home to over 100 species at risk 
plants and animals, including Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly, sharp-tailed snake, and yellow montane violet. 
By partnering with proactive local governments and organizations in priority 

First 3,000 characters. Open the original for the whole document.