The Heron Newsletter Spring 2011

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THE HERON A NEWSLETTER FROM THE ISLANDS TRUST FUND
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Islands Trust Fund has agreed to identify 3,000 hectares of 
high biodiversity areas for conservation and develop a plan to 
protect as much as we can, whether by acquiring them for nature 
reserves or working with private landowners to protect them with 
covenants. We’ve also committed to finding a way to integrate 
human activities, such as farming, forestry and settlement 
into natural habitats in a way that maintains biodiversity and 
functioning ecosystems. 
You’ve been a driving force behind island conservation
We need partners to transform this long to-do list into a 
list of successes. You’ve supported the Islands Trust Fund, 
spearheading great conservation successes on the islands. You 
protected Brooks Point, Medicine Beach, Squitty Bay and Mt. 
Erskine. You’ve enabled us to work with 80 property owners 
to protect more than 1,000 hectares of privately-owned land 
forever. We are confident that with your continued support and 
involvement, these goals can be achieved.
So stay tuned...
We hope to give Douglas-firs, Garry oaks, orchids, salmon, 
and all the plants and critters in between something to celebrate! 
Thank you for all you’ve done so far to give island ecosystems a 
secure home. We hope to follow your lead, keeping our islands 
natural and beautiful.
Thank you to Vancity  
who funded the development 
of the 2011-2015 Regional 
Conservation Plan.
SPRING/SummeR 2011
Now we have a plan to get there 
T
o achieve this common vision for the Islands Trust Area, the 
Islands Trust Fund has set seven new conservation goals in 
the 2011-2015 Regional Conservation Plan. With five-year 
objectives and an action plan, the Regional Conservation 
Plan will act like a trail map, telling us what we need to get done in 
the next five years to get us closer to our goals. 
We didn’t create the plan alone. Over a dozen local land trusts 
from the islands came together to develop the conservation 
goals and objectives. We also heard from islanders and 
conservation experts. We found the process exciting, bringing 
together everyone working on important conservation issues in 
our region to identify a shared vision and actions we could work 
on together. We are thankful for everyone’s time and input.
Many of the goals and objectives are ambitious, but we’ve 
heard a unanimous cry that this work needs to be done. The 
Moving towards your vision 
for the future
New Regional Conservation Plan identifies 
top 7 conservation goals for the islands. 
Conservation Goals for the Islands
1. Stop habitat loss by securing new conservation areas 
2. enhance habitat in existing conservation areas
3. Promote a respect for nature among private property 
owners
4. Help islanders protect biodiversity on working landscapes
5. Improve marine ecosystem protection in the islands
6. encourage local government to prioritize biodiversity
7. Build a strong, coordinated network of conservation 
partners in the region
Health

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