March 28, 2019 - Valens Brook Nature Reserve Denman

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A Conservancy for Canada’s Islands in 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 
2019-03-ITC 
 
LAND DONATION EXPANDS VALENS BROOK NATURE RESERVE ON DENMAN ISLAND  
Neighbours inspire neighbours to protect salmon habitat 
 
Northern Coast Salish Territory, Denman Island, British Columbia, March 28, 2019   Thanks to the generosity of 
ecologists Luise Hermanutz and David Innes, the Valens Brook Nature Reserve on Denman Island is expanding by 
nearly three hectares (six acres). The addition will add protection to Valens Brook - a salmon-bearing creek that runs 
through a maturing forest and a lush sword fern gully into Baynes Sound, on the southwest side of Denman Island. 
  
The Islands Trust Conservancy’s Valens Brook Nature Reserve was established in 2012 when Dr. Kal Holsti and Marilyn 
Wan protected nearly four hectares (nine acres).   
 
“Protecting our property was part of a bigger vision started by Kal Holsti and Jenny Balke,” said Luise Hermanutz. “As 
ecologists and scientists, we recognize the importance of Valens Brook in protecting the watershed, salmon, and the 
Coastal Douglas-fir region. Denman Islanders are conservation minded, so we hope the entire Valens Brook will 
someday be protected.”  
Holsti and Wan hoped their original donation would be the first of many along Valens Brook where numerous private 
properties border the stream and are critical to salmon protection. Hermanutz and Innes hope, in turn, that their 
recent donation will inspire more to do the same.  
 
“In the Gulf Islands, private landowners hold the key to protecting the beauty and vitality of our natural environment,” 
said Kate-Louise Stamford, Chair of the Islands Trust Conservancy Board. “We look forward to working with others who 
are inspired by the donations of their neighbours."  
The Valens Brook Nature Reserve was protected using Section 99 of BC's Land Title Act which allows landowners to 
donate a portion of their land while retaining the remainder for their own use through a simplified subdivision process. 
Both lands were also donated through Environment Canada's Ecological Gifts Program.  
 
-More- 
The Islands Trust Conservancy is the conservation land trust for Canada's islands in the Salish Sea. Since 1990, the 
Islands Trust Conservancy has protected more than 1,270 hectares of natural island ecosystems. This success is thanks 
to the vision, support and generosity of our donors and partners. Visit us online at www.islandstrustconservancy.bc.ca. 
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MEDIA CONTACTS 
Kate-Louise Stamford, Chair    Kate Emmings, Acting Manager 
Islands Trust Conservan

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