Part 1: Psychology I’d like to discuss the sound of silence. Climate silence. It’s been creeping into newspapers, social media, government spaces, and our own homes. Do you hear it too? Despite the growing urgency of the climate crisis, conversations about climate change seem more infrequent than they used to be. Perhaps it’s because we have lost the art of conversation, preferring instead to join a camp and deride the “other side.” But more than this, I think discussions about climate change are often avoided or minimized because they make us very, very uncomfortable. Even among people who accept the science and acknowledge the threat (99.9% of the scientists in the world agree), there’s a strange silence that surrounds the topic. But why? Why is it so uncomfortable to talk about something that affects everyone, everywhere (apart from the fact that the conversation is a complete and total bummer)? The answer in part lies not just in politics or misinformation, but deep wi…

PRESS RELEASE – January 16, 2026 North Salt Spring Waterworks District Approves Tender for Maxwell Lake Water Treatment Plant Following the completion of the detailed design and tendering processes, the North Salt SpringWaterworks District (NSSWD) Board has approved Hazelwood Construction Services Inc. to construct the new Maxwell Lake Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) water treatment plant. The final construction cost for the plant is approved for $16.6 million and construction will be initiated this spring with proposed completion of the project by spring 2027. The cost is an increase from the $14.6 million Class A estimate and in response NSSWD developed a funding strategy that delays planned capital projects and maximizes the existing capital reserve funds. No new parcel taxes or toll increases will be used within the funding strategy. The new Maxwell Lake water treatment plant is required by Island Health to meet water quality directives. Transitioning to a DAF filt…

By Transition Salt Spring – Lighter Living Initiative Transition Salt Spring encourages Islanders to rethink gift-giving this season by choosing experiences over things. Entertainment and shared moments often create longer-lasting memories than material items — and they support our local arts community at the same time. Here are some ways to give connection, joy and time together this holiday. Sustainable Gift Ideas: Entertainment gifts involve experiences that bring people together. Shared moments are often more cherished and longer-lasting than material items. Theatre – Salt Spring has an amazing local theatre with a terrific upcoming winter program. Whether it’s dance, music, drama or comedy, Artspring has it all. Gift tickets or a gift certificate for a memorable time together. Movies – For the film lovers on your list, The Fritz Cinema is a perfect gift. Their popcorn is famous. Jazz, Blues, Country Music – The Legion Branch 92 hosts live music year ro…

Prepared by Transition Salt Spring’s Lighter Living Initiative Holiday traditions matter and this year, more families are looking for ways to celebrate that are creative, meaningful, affordable, and low-waste. A perfect place to start? A reusable advent calendar and home made Christmas Crackers. Reusable advent calendars are a wonderful, eco-friendly alternative to disposable versions filled with single-use plastics. They can be refilled year after year, becoming beloved family treasures. Many are made from natural or organic materials, and they’re endlessly customizable. Even better, making your own doesn’t require craft skills or a big budget. Here are simple, low-impact DIY ideas anyone can try: Easy DIY Reusable Advent Calendars ● 24 brown paper bags decorated and pegged to a string ● 24 toilet paper rolls painted or wrapped, with tissue-paper “doors” ● 24 reused envelopes, decorated and hung on a branch, string, or ribbon ● 24 small jars with decorated lids ● …

How to Restore Forests, Wildflowers, and the Birds and the Bees in the Southern Gulf Islands Herbivory—the eating of plants by animals—is usually a healthy part of the web of life. But when herbivore populations like deer, goats, or sheep soar without natural checks and balances, they can reshape—and even collapse—entire ecosystems. Across the Gulf Islands, with few predators and limited hunting, deer and other grazers have browsed away the forest understory. The soft-leaved wildflowers and shrubs are gone, leaving only the tough survivors: sword fern, salal, nettle, and moss beneath aging conifers. Without shelter, seeds, or fruit, birds and pollinators have declined. This ecological collapse is well studied, and each island has its own twist on the same story. Deer densities range from deer-free islets to over two deer per hectare on heavily browsed islands. On Mayne, surveys suggest 0.5–2 deer/ha—ten times what’s considered sustainable for forest and songbird recov…

Mount Erskine is one of Salt Spring Island’s most popular hiking areas, offering kilometres of trails that climb though Coastal Douglas-fir forests and meander past moss-covered rocky outcrops. At its summit, 440 metres above sea level, hikers are rewarded with sweeping views to the south and west over Vancouver Island and the busy Crofton–Vesuvius ferry route. But few visitors realize that this park might not exist without the efforts of the Salt Spring Island Conservancy. Until 2005, the 100-acre parcel including the summit was privately owned. Following an intensive fundraising campaign, the Conservancy secured the land for future generations. The purchase was a creative partnership between the Conservancy (60%), the Nature Conservancy of Canada (20%), and the Province of BC (20%). This purchase made it possible to combine this land with an adjoining 165-acre tract, creating the provincial park enjoyed by so many today.   The park also links to other pro…

The Salt Spring Island Conservancy is celebrating 30 years of grassroots efforts to protect the island’s natural heritage. Since 1995, it has worked to acquire and manage ecologically valuable land, support landowners in becoming good stewards of their own land, and provide public outreach programs. Seven dedicated women shaped the Conservancy’s early years. They established the SSIC as a registered charitable organization and held the first board meeting on January 13, 1995. Their first campaign was to protect the old-growth forest on the Mill Farm, along Musgrave Road, a process that took two years. By 1997, the Conservancy had raised $192,000 for the CRD’s purchase of the land, was engaged in 16 other projects, and had launched its own publication, The Acorn. During this period, the SSIC became the first conservancy in BC permitted to hold a conservation covenant on private land. Conservation covenants enable landowners to protect important ecological features on their la…

Part of Transition Salt Spring’s Lighter Living Initiative Every celebration is an opportunity to tread more lightly on the planet! From birthdays and weddings to casual weekend gatherings, the way we host events can have a real impact on our environment. With a few simple choices, parties can be both joyful and climate-conscious. Lighter Living offers practical tips to help you reduce waste and emissions—without sacrificing fun or festivity. 1.Choose a Sustainable Venue Opt for outdoor venues close to your guests to minimize travel emissions. Ensure the venue has recycling facilities, and confirm with Return It Salt Spring or the Salt Spring Recycling Depot how your waste should be pre-sorted. 2.Go Paperless Send electronic invitations (e-vites) instead of traditional paper invites to save resources and reduce waste. 3. Encourage Sustainable Travel Provide information on public transportation options, car-sharing, or carpooling, recruit some young people to…

Presented by: Transition Salt Spring’s Lighter Living Program. At Lighter Living, our mission is to empower individuals with practical actions, ranging from simple, low-effort changes to those requiring more time, money, or planning. Making these small changes can effectively reduce the ecological and carbon footprint of leisure and recreation. These shifts can build momentum towards greater impact quickly, without implying scarcity or sacrifice. One common question I get this time of year is about summer travel plans. While I don’t have any exotic travel plans myself, I understand that many people do. Families, friends, and dream destinations are important to many of us. Living sustainably doesn't mean eliminating travel or air travel entirely—it's about making mindful choices. Sustainable travel isn’t about grand gestures or striving for perfection—it’s about intention. It’s a mindset that influences how we plan our holidays, what we pack, how we get to our destin…

Presented by Transition Salt Spring’s Lighter Living Program Water management is an essential practice for land owners and gardeners, especially in regions prone to drought or periodic heavy rainfall. One of the most effective methods to manage rainwater sustainably is by using swales and berms. These simple, yet highly functional landscaping features can dramatically improve water retention, reduce erosion, and increase the resilience of your garden. What are Swales and Berms? Swales and berms are complementary landscaping features that work together to manage water flow. A swale is a shallow, trench-like depression in the landscape designed to capture rainwater. Swales are dug along the natural contours of the land to collect and hold water. Instead of letting rainwater quickly run off your property, swales slow it down, allowing it to percolate into the soil. This ensures the water can be stored for later use by plants and microorganisms. A berm is a raised mound of…

Some of your plants may be showing sunscald damage on the leaves from the very hot weather 10 days ago. It takes awhile for injury to show up, usually appearing as dry, biscuit-coloured or dark brown areas on leaves, especially around the edges of leaves and between leaf veins. Damaged areas won’t recover, but established plants will put out new leaves and should be fine. Small seedlings that got too hot, however, may have damaged roots and are best replaced if they seem to have stopped growing. There is time to start most crops again from seed and nurseries may still have some starts for sale. If you sowed carrots, lettuce or other seeds before the heat wave and nothing has come up by now, sow again, as the seeds were probably killed. What to sow now for winter to spring harvests: The following notes are for gardeners growing their own starts, but you can also buy plants later on from people growing the ‘right stuff’, such as Chorus Frog Nursery on Salt Spring and from the …

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…