Coreen Boucher

Islanders Working Against Violence honour Sexual Assault Awareness Month

This April, once again, Islanders Working Against Violence (IWAV) will honour Sexual Assault Awareness Month, or SAAM, with an event at Transitions Thrift Store on Tuesday, April 4. Salt Spring Islanders are invited to write and read messages of hope and healing for sexual assault survivors at Transitions Thrift Store in Ganges. IWAV staff will be offering notepaper for these messages. Last year, all messages were posted to the store window and also to social media where the messages continued to inspire and support those who have been sexually assaulted. IWAV staff will also be selling vegetable seeds provided by Grow For It Seeds, a new food gardening project of the resident community at IWAV’s second-stage housing. IWAV believes that communities that heal together also grow together. With this event, IWAV hopes to plant the seeds for change for the Southern Gulf Islands to become a community that supports its sexual assault survivors. Come to support sexual assault …

Creekside Rainforest fundraising — almost there!

Help us cross the finish line! The Salt Spring Island Conservancy is in the home stretch of fundraising to acquire and protect Creekside Rainforest, 15.5 acres of rare coastal temperate rainforest right here on our island. Thanks to the immense support of our community, and a major grant that the Conservancy applied for and received, only $17,100 is left to be raised to complete this important conservation project. Creekside Rainforest feels, smells, and looks different than the drier rainshadow landscape we are accustomed to on the Southern Gulf Islands. The land’s deep ravine, higher than normal rainfall, and northerly aspect combine with the continuous forest canopy to create an exceptionally cool and moist microclimate. The forest is rich in biodiversity and home to numerous species associated with older rainforests, including many at risk. Also found on the land are two ecosystems that are provincially classified as imperilled. The land is home to Western redceda…

Conserving Our Island’s Rainforest

Here on Salt Spring Island is a rare coastal temperate rainforest. The air is cool and moist. It feels, smells, and looks different than the drier rainshadow landscape we are accustomed to on the Southern Gulf Islands. Yet, there is much more that makes this forest rare and special. Fifteen and a half acres of this temperate rainforest, the Creekside Rainforest, are now the object of a conservation project. Cusheon Creek, one of the few salmon-bearing streams on Salt Spring Island, flows through the land. Local conservation groups have been working to protect Cusheon Creek for almost 40 years. In 2008, a community-led project resulted in the protection of a 19.5-acre adjoining parcel, Jarrod’s Grove Nature Reserve. The Conservancy now has the opportunity to acquire and protect 15.5 more acres of this unique ecosystem. Concerned neighbours initiated the conservation efforts. In 2021, Susan Bloom, a supportive neighbour and donor to the project, said of Creekside Rainfo…

IWAV Supports Survivors of Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault

Trigger warning: Sexual assault As Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) wraps up, IWAV wants to raise awareness about a type of sexual assault with which many people aren’t familiar. It raises a lot of questions, and IWAV wants to add some clarity to the discussion. Last summer, Islanders Working Against Violence (IWAV) launched the Sexual Assault Response Program on the Southern Gulf Islands. Since July of 2021, survivors of sexual assault on the islands have had access to a free, coordinated emergency response, ongoing support/advocacy, and individual counselling by a team of professionals. All sexual assault survivors are invited to access these services, even if the survivor cannot fully recall the details of the assault. The SARP offers its services and supports to survivors of “drug-facilitated sexual assault.” Many people have heard the term “date rape drug” or have been told to watch their drink at a party, but they may not be familiar with the term drug-facil…

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Islanders Working Against Violence (IWAV) invites Salt Spring Islanders to write and read messages of hope and healing for sexual assault survivors at Transitions Thrift Store in Ganges on April 6, from 11 am to 2 pm. This event is part of IWAV’s campaign for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, or SAAM, in April. IWAV believes that communities that heal together also grow together. For SAAM, IWAV wants to plant the seeds for change for the Southern Gulf Islands to become a community that supports its sexual assault survivors. On April 6, staff will be offering the notepaper for these messages of hope and healing, along with wildflower seeds, snacks, and free coffee. SAAM is an internationally recognized campaign to end sexualized violence. SAAM initially emerged in the 1970s as an invitation for survivors to come together to share, heal, and courageously speak out about the harm and suffering they experienced. They organized marches, rallies, and other events to call for an e…

IWAV announces anonymous sexual assault reporting

Most sexual assault survivors make the complex and difficult decision to not report a sexual assault to police. They may be reluctant to engage with the criminal legal system for various reasons, or they choose not to report because they know the person who has assaulted them — a reality in up to 80% of all sexual assault cases. It’s one of the most underreported crimes in Canada, with around 90% of all cases unreported. On Salt Spring and the other Southern Gulf Islands, sexual assault survivors now have another option. They can go through a third party agency to make a simple and anonymous report of a sexual assault. This is called Third Party Reporting (TPR). The agency submits information to the police on the behalf of the survivor. For survivors on the islands, the third party is the Sexual Assault Response Program (SARP) at IWAV (Islanders Working Against Violence). Here’s how it works: With the help of the SARP coordinator, the survivor provides the information and…

Larmour Lands Protected!

A dedicated group of islanders and their many supporters and donors are celebrating a successful community fundraising effort this month. Both Lot H and Lot F of the Larmour Lands are now protected! With a final appeal to “help us cross the finish line,” donors jumped to action. Their support and generosity, along with that of the Salt Spring Island Water Preservation Society and conservation partners, secured the rich habitats and ecological values on both Lots H and F from logging and other development pressures. In the fall of 2020, their first fundraising target was met, and the 20 acres that comprised Lot H was purchased. This success meant that its vital forests and wetlands will be protected in perpetuity as a nature reserve, managed and stewarded by the Water Preservation Society and the Island Trust Conservancy. At the end of August 2021, Lot F’s 20 acres were also purchased. The biodiverse mature forest on the upland portion of Lot F will receive long-ter…

Gulf Islands Families Together Society Receives $17,500

“Due to the generosity and support of 100+ Women Who Care, many of our vital programs such as Shauna Devlin's Dance Your Abilities and John Reid's music program, that preserve the mental health of participants, will continue to run through these challenging times,” Heather Duerichen, manager of Gulf Islands Families Together Society (GIFTS), said after the May 12th meeting of the 100+ Women Who Care. On that evening, members of the high impact philanthropic group met on Zoom. They listened to presentations for three charities that had been nominated and randomly drawn from the charity basket prior to the meeting. They were the Gulf Islands Families Together Society (GIFTS), Gulf Islands Seniors' Residence Association (GISRA) presented by Helen Hinchliff, and the Salt Spring Community Health Society presented by Martha Taylor. Each presentation was uniquely informative and compelling, but on this evening, members voted to have GIFTS be the recipient of about $17,500 in member…

Protect Lot F’s Forest: Protect Groundwater, Reduce Forest Fire Risk, and Mitigate Effects of Climate Change

Our own survival depends on the survival of our forests. All of Salt Spring’s water comes from rain. Without forests, wetlands and watersheds will not work, and potable water sources are negatively affected. Salt Spring is at greater risk to wildfire with fragmented, dried out, unhealthy forests that lack biodiversity. BC has had 111 forest fires already this year. Healthy forests also mitigate the effects of climate change, which islanders will feel more and more in the coming decades. For all of these reasons and more, a dedicated group of islanders have been working hard to protect what remains of the Larmour Lands on Beddis Rd. — and what remains to be protected is the mature coastal Douglas fir, Western redcedar, and Bigleaf maple forest on Lot F. Located on the upland portion of Lot F of the Larmour Lands on Beddis Rd., this healthy, mixed forest is threatened with being clear-cut or developed. This portion of Lot F has two significant forested wetlands…

Local Branch of SPCA Wins $17,500

“I’ve left the manager of the SPCA a voice mail and sent an email. I can’t wait to connect with him tomorrow!” These were Ann Marie Davidson’s words on the evening of February 24, right after the seventh meeting of the 100+ Women Who Care Salt Spring Island. She had delivered the winning presentation about the needs of the Salt Spring Island Branch of the BC SPCA. Her words convinced members of the women’s high-impact philanthropy group to vote for the local SPCA, earning the charity about $17,500. She explained her excitement in her email to us: “I am happy beyond words. Animals have been key to my happiness my entire life, and I feel like I’ve done something really meaningful since I’ve retired, for a cause that I feel so passionate about. Sharing my mom’s story was an emotional journey for me. I knew it would be touch and go whether I could hold together my emotions.” In her presentation, Ann Marie spoke about her mother’s relationship with a feline companion. “Havi…

Greenwoods Eldercare Society Receives $16,100

The 100+ Women Who Care Salt Spring Island held its sixth meeting on November 18th on Zoom. Members voted to give the collected donations of the meeting—which totalled about $16,100—to Greenwoods Eldercare Society. Also drawn from the charity basket during that meeting were the nominated charities were Gulf Islands Families Together Society (GIFTS) and the Salt Spring Island Branch of the BC SPCA. Three members gave informative and inspiring presentations over Zoom about why their nominated charity should receive the collected donations. Dorrie Ferster, who presented the winning pitch for Greenwoods, said, “It was a new experience to join the 100+ Women Who Care on a virtual call format. I must admit, I missed the energy of everyone’s presence.” Members cast a secret online vote for one of the three, and for the first time ever, there was a tie vote. Members were asked to cast their votes again, this time for the two tied charities. Greenwoods was the winning charity. …

An Opportunity to Help Protect the Forest on Lot F of the Larmour Lands

A dedicated group of islanders is working to ensure over 8 acres of mature coastal Douglas fir, Western redcedar, and Bigleaf maple forest remains standing. This healthy mixed forest is on the upland portion of Lot F of the Larmour Lands, and its future is threatened. The community is invited to join us in this effort to prevent Lot F from being clearcut or developed. Through the generous support of many donors, the adjacent forest and wetlands of Lot H have recently been saved and will be preserved in perpetuity! Now the focus is on extending this and creating a larger protected area to increase and enhance the health and function of this important ecosystem. With conservation covenants already in place on nearby properties, the forest on Lot F is the missing puzzle piece. Connectivity is key to increasing biodiversity, and protecting Lot F’s forest will create 46 acres (about 18.5 hectares) of pristine natural habitat, now and forever. …

SWOVA Receives $18,500 from 100+ Women Who Care

When Erin Lee arrived at the podium at the 100+ Women Who Care meeting on February 24, 2020, she said in a shaky voice, “I’m not a public speaker. I actually hate public speaking. But the fact that I’m up here is a testament to how much I believe in the work of SWOVA.” With that, all of the members present for that meeting were intrigued. But that introduction isn’t what guaranteed the members’ votes. Members heard three excellent presentation at this meeting, one by Louise Doucet presenting for Gulf Islands Families Together Society (GIFTS), the presentation for SWOVA Community Development and Research Society, and the final one by Dorrie Ferster for Greenwoods Eldercare Society. They were followed by murmurs such as “so difficult to choose” and “I’d like them all to win!” These three presentations, like those in previous meetings, were heartfelt and informative and exuded the passion and care prevalent on Salt Spring Island. Members who are present for these presentatio…

Screening of "The Gender Lady: The Fabulous Dr. May Cohen" for International Women’s Day

Every March 8th, people around the world celebrate International Women's Day. An opportunity to acknowledge women’s achievements throughout history and across nations, the day is also a focal point in the movement for women's rights and gender equity. This year, local celebrations include a special screening of The Gender Lady: The Fabulous Dr. May Cohen. For over 60 years, Dr. Cohen advocated powerfully in Canada and internationally for women physicians’ advancement within the medical profession and is widely recognized for her many contributions to women’s health, sexuality, abortion choice, and human rights. Numerous medical awards bear her name. Two Canadian colleagues of May Cohen, family physicians, and gender equity advocates Cheryl Levitt and Barbara Lent created the documentary “to share May’s remarkable accomplishments, to make them visible, and to offer the film as a tool to help promote gender equity, reproductive rights, and equity for women physicians.” Acco…

Spotlight on Inclusive, Peaceful Communities

Gender-based violence is one of the most pervasive human rights issues today. On November 24, 2019, UN News published an article stating that “a third of all women and girls experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, half of women killed worldwide were killed by their partners or family, and violence perpetrated against women is as common a cause of death and incapacity for those of reproductive age, as cancer, and a greater cause of ill health than road accidents and malaria combined.” Salt Spring is not immune. In 2017 alone, Islanders Working Against Violence (IWAV) took 464 crisis calls and served 205 women and 35 children fleeing violence on Salt Spring Island. That's an average of more than one call per day. IWAV creates opportunities for life-changing outcomes for people experiencing violence in our community. One successful story is for a client and a young child who came to IWAV's Outreach office after an extremely violent incident with the client’…

$19,100 Donated to Salt Spring Island Public Library Association

On the evening of Monday, November 15, 100+ Women Who Care Salt Spring Island held its fourth meeting, beginning its second year of raising money for charities with a local impact. Members had nominated 16 local charities prior to this meeting, of which three were randomly drawn during the meeting: Little Red School House Society, Salt Spring Island Public Library Association, and Salt Spring Arts Council. Three members gave passionate and informative presentations, explain why they think that their nominated charity should receive the collected donations. Judy Nurse presented for Salt Spring Island Public Library Association, and much to Judy’s delight, the majority of members voted for the library. Judy Nurse commented: “As one of the 150 people who volunteer at the library, I want to tell you that we are thrilled to receive the gift of $19,100 from 100+ Women Who Care. Thank you so much for this wonderful support for our programs and resources. I look forward to rep…

2019 Eco Living and Home Tour: Ideas, Information, Inspiration

Headlines announcing biodiversity collapse and climate catastrophe can feel paralyzing. Even the most committed environmentalists may not know where to turn for solid information on the kinds of innovative — and dramatic — lifestyle changes that experts say will be need to weather the coming changes. Salt Spring’s Eco Living and Home Tour highlights what some people are doing to reduce their carbon footprint and to prepare themselves for an uncertain future. The tour also offers something that is getting harder to find these days: good news. The innovative event offers inspiring examples of ways that people are taking action to transform their ecological footprint and create sustainable, beautiful homes. Held on Sunday, July 28, from 10am to 4pm, the self-guided tour allows visitors to explore various locations on Salt Spring Island, which has some of BC’s most innovative examples of off-grid living, tiny homes, container homes, eco building and architecture, renewable te…

Island Pathways Receives $18,500

Last Wednesday evening, 100+ Women Who Care Salt Spring Island gathered in the ArtSpring theatre for its third meeting. And something interesting happened... One of the three charities randomly drawn during the meeting, from the 18 that had been nominated, had been drawn before but hadn't been voted to receive the funds. Back into the charity basket it went! This time, Anna Pugh had the opportunity to speak about the organization. She ended her presentation with these words (paraphrased): Everyone on the island, regardless of whether they use the paths, benefits because, as a result, the roads are safer for everyone. At the end of the meeting, 100+ Women Who Care voted for Island Pathways to receive more than $18,500! Island Pathways will be able to use 100% of these funds in ways that it needs most, as long as its efforts benefit the community. Members will hear from an Island Pathways spokesperson at the fall meeting to find out how the funds were used. After…

100+ Women Who Care Raise $17,000 in Under an Hour for Local Charities

On the evening of Tuesday, March 5, 100+ Women Who Care Salt Spring held its second meeting. Prior to this meeting, members had nominated 18 local charities. Members randomly drew three of the nominees during this meeting: Greenwoods Eldercare Society, Salt Spring Therapeutic Riding Association, and Island Pathways. Members heard a compelling presentation for each of the three charities, but it is one presentation that attracted the most votes at the end of the evening. Gail Muise presented for the Salt Spring Therapeutic Riding Association (SSTRA), an organization that serves a wide age range of people who have differing abilities and needs. Her words and message convinced enough members to cast their secret ballot for the SSTRA, and this organization became the second recipient of the collected donations — $17,000 total! Since its inaugural meeting in November, the group has grown from 129 to 170 women. With each woman donating $100 per meeting, the sum totalled an impr…

Citizen Science Project on Salt Spring: Good for People and Butterflies!

This month, participants are flocking to a free training in butterfly citizen science led by entomologist Linda Gilkeson, PhD, and hosted by the Salt Spring Island Conservancy. Trainees will learn how to identify and count butterflies from Linda and how to take photos of butterflies from Simon Henson, as a way to aid in identification. There is still space for trainees. This project seeks to increase the number of citizen scientists trained to identify butterflies on Salt Spring Island and to collect records that can be used to show long-term trends in butterfly numbers. Records of butterfly counts are a way to measure the health of local ecosystems, and for the last 2 years, the Conservancy has been establishing a group of volunteers to identify and record butterfly sightings. The data collected by citizen scientists during the monthly counts will contribute to a growing body of data that could supplement (or stimulate) research by scientists. Citizen science is good fo…

Seniors Services Society Receives Windfall

On the evening of Thursday, November 8, Boodie Arnott gave a 5-minute presentation to the membership of 100 Women Who Care Salt Spring Island. Boodie explained that, as someone who benefits from the programs at the Salt Spring Seniors Services Society, she would like to see the society receive the funds that were being raised that evening. She was speaking to 127 women who gathered at ArtSpring. It was the inaugural meeting for 100 Women Who Care SSI. Each woman in the room was a member, committed to donating $100 at each of the three meetings that will be held in the coming year. As you can see, the donations add up quickly. By the time the meeting started, 127 women had made that commitment. That's $12,700 raised on one hour! Thirteen local charities had been nominated by members, and three were drawn randomly during the meeting: Salt Spring Island Farmland Trust, the Salt Spring branch of BC SPCA, and the Salt Spring Seniors Services Society. For each o…