The Heron Newsletter Spring 2012

Extracted text (beginning)

B
orn in Woonsocket, South Dakota 
in 1918, John Osland served aboard 
US Coast Guard ships during the Second 
World War before coming to Lasqueti in 
the summer of 1948. He found a piece of 
land near the base of Mount Trematon with 
ancient trees and green pastures that would 
support a quiet, simple life. 
John lived lightly on the land, leaving only 
his bicycle tracks along his grassy driveway. 
Despite the heavy logging on the island in 
his early years on Lasqueti, John’s ancient 
trees remained.
“John got immense pleasure walking among 
his big firs; his trees were a source of marvel 
to him,” said Donald Gordon, a long-time 
friend of John’s. “When one fell around 
1980, he counted the rings at 520 years. 
‘Almost more than the human mind can 
grasp’ he said.”
John spent 62 years on his Lasqueti property. 
He cared deeply for the nature around him 
and all it provided him with. 
“He truly and deeply loved the many 
delights of his land, whether it was his old 
trail up the mountain or ancient watermarks 
on boulders,” said Donald.
John worried about the future of his trees, 
his land and the animals he shared it with. 
With the help of his friends and a lawyer, 
John made a plan for his property for when 
he was gone. He bequeathed the land in his 
will to the Islands Trust Fund, specifying 
that the land be protected as a nature reserve 
after he passed away. 
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Heron
photo: D. Gordon
continued on pg 2
John’s final wish of leaving a natural legacy was aided by Environment Canada’s  
Ecological Gifts Program which provides tax benefits to individuals (or their estates) 
who protect land with the Islands Trust Fund or other qualified recipients.
the
Arbutus covered slope at John Osland Nature Reserve 
Lasqueti forest secured for next generation
Islander protects 64-hectare property with donation to the Islands Trust Fund
“John hoped people coming here would 
enjoy the delights of nature and care for 
the land with as much love as he did.” 
– Donald Gordon
Islands Trust Fund

“He told me that he hoped his land might 
give people an opportunity to immerse 
themselves in Nature, including those who 
don’t usually get a chance to, because he 
felt that is what the human mind desperately 
needs,” said Donald. 
John passed away at his Lasqueti Island 
homestead on March 10, 2010 at the age 
of 91. In keeping with his final wishes, his 
property was transferred to the Islands Trust 
Fund in late 2011, and is now protected as 
the new John Osland Nature Reserve. John 
was a notable Lasqueti Island character, 
and his gift has created a beautiful and 
permanent testament to a life lived gently 
on the land.
Volunteers help realize  
John’s dream
Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of John’s 
neighbours Mike Mundy and Cindy Craven 
and several other volunteers, John’s cabin 
and belongings were carefully removed 
from the new nature reserve last fall. Over 
the winter, the field returned to an op

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