Transition Salt Spring is gearing up for another impactful event as the Spring Repair Café makes its triumphant return on Sunday, May 4th. Held at Meaden Hall (120 Blain Rd., downstairs at the Legion) from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, this event promises to be the largest Repair Café yet, embodying the essence of community, sustainability, and skill-sharing. Over 40 local volunteer experts will converge to breathe new life into broken belongings, spanning from general household repairs and small electrical appliances to intricate tasks like micro-electronics, knitwear darning, and knife sharpening. The event will also feature a dedicated team from Island Pathways providing tune-ups and repairs for both conventional and e-bikes, reflecting the island’s commitment to pedal-powered mobility. In a nod to innovation, volunteers from the Salt Spring Island Public Library’s Fab Lab will showcase creative solutions, including 3D printing for fabricating replacement parts—a blend of mod…

https://vimeo.com/1071616964 Below article from the Salt Spring Exchange: On March 29, 2025, volunteers gathered at Ganges Harbour on Salt Spring Island for a much-needed cleanup effort. Over the years, debris, abandoned boats, and pollution have accumulated in the harbour, raising concerns about environmental degradation and water quality. While community-driven initiatives like this are vital in preserving the marine ecosystem, the cleanup also highlighted an ongoing social issue: the challenges faced by liveaboard residents, many of whom live in legal limbo. Ganges Harbour has long been home to a community of individuals who reside on boats, whether by choice or economic necessity. Unlike traditional homeowners or renters, liveaboard residents often do not have access to basic services like waste disposal, water supply, and sanitation support from the Capital Regional District (CRD). Since many of these boats do not have designated mooring permits or proper inf…

Water is essential to our survival, yet we often overlook how scarce it truly is in today’s world. For communities on the Southern Gulf Islands, water scarcity is a pressing issue, despite our reputation for constant rainfall. Increased seasonal climate change has exacerbated water shortages in our region. While winter rainfall has increased, it often falls in heavy, intense storms, rather than the gentle, all-day drizzles we remember. As a result, much of the winter rainfall runs off into the ocean instead of replenishing our forests and water table. The wet season is becoming wetter, and the dry season is growing drier. However, there’s a way to adapt: by installing a rainwater catchment system, you can harness this increased seasonal rainfall to secure a reliable water source for the summer months. Whether you choose a pond or a cistern, capturing rainwater is a powerful way to protect our freshwater resources without having to compromise on your water needs in the sum…

Part of Transition Salt Spring’s Lighter Living Series It starts quietly—so quietly that you might never notice. A slow drip, a hidden trickle, a toilet that runs just a little longer than usual. But over time, these unnoticed leaks add up in a big way. According to Statistics Canada, the average household loses almost 38,000 litres of water every year to leaks. That’s like letting a backyard swimming pool drain away—without even realizing it. The biggest culprit? Toilets. A toilet leak can waste up to 20 - 40 litres per hour—a staggering 175,000 - 350,000 litres a year—and add $750 to your water bill. And don’t assume you’ll hear it! Many toilet leaks are silent, but there’s a simple test to catch them. Just add a few drops of food coloring into the tank and wait 15 minutes. If the color seeps into the bowl without flushing, you've got a leak. A quick fix—like adjusting or replacing a worn-out flapper—can stop the waste in its tracks. But toilets aren’t the only snea…

True North, Strong and Low Flow! Part of Transition Salt Spring’s Lighter Living Series In the quiet corners of Canadian homes, a silent climate action hero is waiting to emerge—it’s in your washroom! Did you know that on average, Canadians use over 65% of our water in our washrooms? The staggering fact, nearly one-third of all the freshwater we consume at home flushes straight down the toilet, quite literally. The journey to easy water conservation starts right here, where every drop counts. Imagine this: a simple adjustment to your toilet could save up to 65% of its water usage. How? Switch to a low-flow toilet or DIY by filling a 1 - 1.5 L plastic bottle with water, remove the lid from your toilet tank and pop the bottle of water in the tank! You will save 1.5 litres per flush through simple displacement. But the toilet isn't the only star in this water-saving tale. Consider your shower: installing a low-flow showerhead not only saves water but also money. In ju…

Part of Transition Salt Spring’s Lighter Living Series: Water is the essence of life. It flows through our homes, nourishes our landscapes, and sustains the delicate ecosystems we cherish. Yet, despite its apparent abundance, fresh water is remarkably rare—only 3% of Earth's water is drinkable, and 20% of that is in Canada. Here on Salt Spring Island, access to clean water isn’t something we take for granted. Whether your supply comes from a private well, a Capital Regional District system, or North Salt Spring Waterworks, every drop is precious. With the privilege of fresh water comes the responsibility to use it wisely—not just for our own needs, but to preserve our rivers, lakes, and oceans for future generations. That’s where Lighter Living comes in. This community-driven initiative is shining a light on water conservation by sharing inspiring local stories and practical solutions. The goal? To make it easier than ever for islanders to reduce water waste, lower c…

Lighter Living, Transition Salt Spring Salt Spring Island is fortunate to rely on naturally clean water from its watersheds rather than expensive treatment plants or chemical additives. However, this privilege comes with responsibility. Proactive conservation is essential to maintaining our finite water supply, especially as climate change increases risks. Every small action we take creates a ripple effect, making a meaningful impact on the island’s water future. Simple steps like fixing leaks, installing low-flow fixtures, and collecting rainwater can significantly reduce daily water use. Currently, Salt Spring residents use around 500 litres of water per person in winter and 700 litres in summer—28% of which is flushed down the toilet. Reducing this waste is crucial to preserving our limited resources. Transition Salt Spring’s Lighter Living Program highlights local stories and practical tips to inspire conservation. From using greywater for gardens to protecting w…

The Hwmet'utsun (Mt. Maxwell) Creek Watershed is a critical area for Salt Spring Island, serving as the source of drinking water for over 5,500 residents. As climate change brings more intense droughts and increasing wildfire risks, it has become more urgent than ever to protect this essential resource. In response to these challenges, Transition Salt Spring, in partnership with North Salt Spring Waterworks, launched the Climate Adaptation Research Lab (formerly the Maxwell Creek Restoration Project) in 2021. This vital initiative aims to restore the Maxwell Creek Watershed and has focused on safeguarding Salt Spring’s drinking water, improving water retention, reducing wildfire risk, and enhancing biodiversity. Current Progress and Key Milestones Where does the project stand today? The Climate Adaptation Research Lab’s work is well underway, with expert-driven data collection, restoration planning, and approvals in place. Their current restoration project design has…

Lighter Living, Transition Salt Spring Water scarcity on Salt Spring Island isn’t just an environmental issue—it directly impacts our ability to grow as a community. The island’s limited water supply has significantly restricted new affordable housing developments. Since the 2014 moratorium, a lack of affordable housing near village cores has made it difficult to attract and retain essential workers, including teachers, healthcare professionals, and service providers. This interconnected crisis of water and housing demands innovative solutions. Rainwater harvesting systems, greywater recycling, and sustainable building practices offer promising ways to ease the strain on water resources. By capturing and reusing water efficiently, we can meet the needs of new housing without depleting shared reserves. Careful planning is key to balancing community growth with water sustainability. It’s not only about conserving resources but also about creating a future where everyon…

Lighter Living, Transition Salt Spring Salt Spring’s watersheds are the foundation of our water system, collecting and filtering rainwater to supply homes, gardens, and farms. Watersheds like those surrounding Lake Maxwell and St. Mary Lake don’t just provide drinking water; they sustain thriving ecosystems of plants and animals. These natural systems are vital for the health of our community and environment. However, our watersheds are under threat. Seasonal droughts deplete water reserves, while torrential rains erode soil and carry pollutants into lakes, streams, and aquifers. Human activity, such as land clearing and development, reduces the forests and wetlands that slow rainwater runoff. Without these natural buffers, rainwater flows directly into the sea rather than replenishing groundwater and lakes. Lake Maxwell, which supplies half the island’s population, faces growing risks from wildfire, erosion, and ash contamination. The health of these watersheds is cri…

February 21 Twenty joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering about the islands ecology and the challenges it faces. Organized and facilitated by Julie Thomson, an international conservation specialist (as well as just elected ASK Salt Spring Society Board member), we welcomed: - David Denning, Nature Salt Spring; - Kathleen Maser, Nature Salt Spring as well as BC Nature Kids; - Deborah Miller, Native Plant Stewardship Working Group of Transition Salt Spring; - Dr Tara Martin, UBC professor and Salt Spring Island Conservancy Board member; and - Rachel Bevington, Wetland Restoration Coordinator for the Stqeeye’ Learning Society. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, each of our guests introduced themselves and their work, beginning with David, a film-maker, photographer, naturalist, and science educator. He told us about Nature Salt Spring, a volunteer organization established four years ago to educate and inspire Salt Spring Islanders to better understand, appreciate, a…

Lighter Living, Transition Salt Spring Water is the thread that ties life together. On Salt Spring Island, it flows through every aspect of our existence, from the water we drink to the food we grow, the ecosystems we cherish, and even the ability to protect our homes from fire. It is life’s most essential resource—each of us is made up of 55–70% water. Yet, despite its abundance, our water faces unprecedented challenges. Salt Spring’s temperate rainforest climate brings plentiful rainfall, but global heating has disrupted natural water cycles. Torrential rains now follow prolonged droughts. Instead of replenishing lakes, streams, and aquifers, the rain rushes off hardened surfaces like roads, rooftops, and cleared land, flowing into the sea. Seasonal droughts leave our water reserves strained, and heavy rains carry pollutants into lakes and groundwater. Climate change compounds these problems, increasing the risk of wildfires that threaten our watersheds. This is a sh…

Clara "the Sidewalk Cellist" has called Vancouver home for most of her life, though she spent several years living on Salt Spring, and two years (during the pandemic somewhat stuck) in Cambodia. As many readers know, growing up in this part of the world instills a reverence for nature, a passion for protecting it, and she feels now more than ever we must all raise our voices to ensure the survival of this incredible coastal ecosystem. Clara once considered a career in politics, but decided she would rather sing about the causes than recite speeches. In September of last year she released her fourth full-length album titled “Pacific Rain” - the title track inspired by our beautiful, wild coastline. This March she will tour across the islands, share this music with local communities, and raise funds for the Georgia Strait Alliance. Many of Clara's compositions swim through and around themes of vulnerability, mortality, reverence for nature, humility, compassion, hope, r…

New funding will open the door for Canadian community-based fisheries to be recognized for sustainable practices. January 30, 2025 - Ocean Wise has received nearly $850,000 in funding to support alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in three Indigenous fishing communities. Funded in part by the Government of Canada's Sustainable Development Goals Funding Program, the project, Advancing Sustainable Development in Fishery-Reliant Coastal Communities, marks a significant milestone in recognizing Canadian small-scale fisheries, advancing their sustainability, and increasing access to local, sustainable seafood for Canadians. Small-scale fisheries account for 40 percent of seafood harvested globally and employing 90 percent of workers in the seafood sector. But only eight percent of global small-scale fisheries have been assessed for sustainability (Illuminating Hidden Harvests, FAO). Many of these fisheries are not evaluated for sustainability bec…

The Province has approved a legal order to extend temporary protections in the Fairy Creek watershed until Sept. 30, 2026. The extension applies to the same forest lands as those deferred in June 2021. “I am working to put people and communities back at the heart of forestry,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “True, lasting and meaningful reconciliation begins with partnering and working with First Nations. Together, we can build a strong, robust and sustainable forest sector for the next 100 years.” These temporary protections will allow discussions on the long-term management of the Fairy Creek watershed to continue in partnership with Pacheedaht First Nation. This action is consistent with government’s commitments to reconciliation and to protecting British Columbia’s oldest and rarest forest ecosystems. The Fairy Creek deferral protects almost 1,200 hectares, which is all the Crown land in the Fairy Creek watershed. The entire watershed falls within the Pa…

Part of Transition Salt Spring’s Lighter Living Initiative This week the Salt Spring community showed incredible generosity and love at Transition Salt Spring's second annual Toy Swap, part of the Lighter Living initiative. Islanders embraced the chance to reduce waste, recirculate unused toys, and slow down consumption—proving that sustainable living can be joyful and abundant. In the lead-up to the event, residents donated a staggering 1,290 lbs (585 kg) of toys, a 51% from last year. Volunteers and staff transformed the donations into a vibrant “toy store” overnight. On Saturday, 294 shoppers visited the free Toy Swap, and by the end of the day, less than 75 lbs (34 kg) of toys remained—saving thousands of items from the landfill. The Swap highlighted some stark facts: 80% of toys end up in landfills after minimal use. 90% of toys are plastic, and most are non-biodegradable. Toys account for 6% of landfill plastics. By embracing reuse, regifting, sharing and swapp…

Part One of Eight - Lighter Living Initiative from Transition Salt Spring This holiday season, let's rethink how we give. Amid rising costs, the uncertainty of post, and the growing urgency to protect our planet, there’s never been a better time to embrace thoughtful, sustainable gifting. Our consumer culture often tells us happiness lies in buying more, but we know the truth—those shiny packages come at a cost. Overproduction, deforestation, pollution, and waste are the real price tags. Each year, landfills swell with mountains of discarded wrapping paper, plastic packaging, and single-use items. It doesn’t have to be this way. Sustainable gift-giving is about creating joy, not clutter. It’s about choosing presents that are kind to the planet and meaningful to the people we care about. To make this shift effortless, TSS’s Lighter Living team has done the groundwork for you! Explore our curated list of sustainable gift ideas—beautiful, practical, and easy on the pla…

The Province has confirmed an additional case of chronic wasting disease in British Columbia, found in a white-tailed deer in the Kootenay region. Chronic wasting disease is an infectious and fatal disease affecting species in the cervid family, including deer, elk, moose and caribou. It causes serious harm to the animals’ health. To date, three cases of the disease have been identified in deer populations in the Kootenay region. The first two cases in B.C. were confirmed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in February 2024. One was a male mule deer harvested by a hunter, and the other was a female white-tailed deer killed in a road accident. Both were collected in Cranbrook as part of B.C.’s ongoing chronic wasting disease surveillance efforts. The latest case was confirmed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. The sample was collected from a white-tailed deer harvested in October 2024. This case is within two kilometres of the other c…

As weather in British Columbia transitions into fall, people can expect seasonal stormy conditions and are encouraged to take steps to prepare for cooler temperatures and the increased possibility of rain, snow and flooding. Currently, there are no active flood warnings or advisories in the province. However, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) forecasts a storm arriving Friday evening, bringing precipitation throughout B.C. through the weekend. This storm is anticipated to be weaker than last weekend’s atmospheric river event, and will likely bring generally moderate precipitation to coastal regions and parts of the Columbia-Kootenays. There are no anticipated widespread flood hazards at this time, but saturated ground conditions in low-lying areas could lead to reduced drainage and faster runoff. Wind warnings are in effect for Haida Gwaii and northern Vancouver Island. Strong winds are also expected for southern Vancouver Island, the southern Gulf Islands, eas…