June 8, 2020 - Climate Projections for the Land and Water of the Salish Sea

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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 
June 8, 2020  2020-02-ITC 
 
CLIMATE PROJECTIONS FOR THE LAND AND WATER OF THE SALISH SEA 
 
Coast Salish Territory, British Columbia    Islands Trust Conservancy has released a climate projections report for the 
island region between the British Columbia mainland and southern Vancouver Island that will guide conservation as 
weather becomes increasingly volatile. The report offers specific projections for the Southern Gulf Islands, Gabriola 
and Thetis Islands, Howe Sound and Northern Gulf Islands.   
 
The Climate Projections Report for Islands Trust Area compiles projections for temperature and precipitation in the 
2050s and 2080s from existing sources such as the Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium. The report also describes some 
impacts these changes may have on land, aquatic and oceanic ecosystems. Specific projections for different parts of 
the Islands Trust Area and regional information will be used by the Conservancy when updating land management 
policies and procedures.  
 
The region can expect warmer, wetter winters, earlier springs with a longer growing season, and warmer, drier 
summers, with increasing risk of wildfires. Oceans will be warmer and more acidic. Rising sea levels combined with an 
increase in intensity of storms, may result in the loss of shoreline property and changes to eelgrass and kelp beds.  
 
“The climate projections indicate significant impacts to aquatic, marine and terrestrial species” said Islands Trust 
Conservancy’s Ecosystem Protection Specialist, Kathryn Martell. “The Islands Trust Area can expect to see new species 
migrating to the region, which increases the likelihood of spread of invasive species and pests and pathogens. We also 
expect the presence and range of some species, like the Western redcedar, to decline and contract as the local climate 
becomes less suitable, with the potential for other species, such as Garry oak, to expand their range.”  
 
Islanders are increasingly aware of the impact of climate change in the Salish Sea. “With our mandate to preserve and 
protect the islands and waters of the Salish Sea, we welcome this report to support decision-making as we consider the 
effects of climate change on these rare and fragile ecosystems” said Kate-Louise Stamford, Chair of the Islands Trust 
Conservancy Board.  “Through climate projections we strengthen our ability to plan for the challenges that will be 
faced by both land and aquatic ecosystems. This provides us with an opportunity to adapt our work to address these 

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