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 that are natural sponges that clean and hold water, releasing it slowly to maintain water levels in creeks and groundwater aquifers. It also has several creeks and ponds. The old Western redcedars play an important role in reducing peak flows along the slopes, helping to build soil, moderate storm damage and reduce erosion.
One of the project’s donors, Pierre Mineau, said:
“I got to visit the neighbouring block that was lovingly preserved by Mike Larmour before it was completely clear-cut. It was as close to old growth as we get on this island. Mike understood the value of healthy mature forests to protect our water table and make us less susceptible to forest fires. After the fact, we were able to assess the implications of the clear-cut and realized that failing to protect our mature forests would nullify so much of the effort we are putting into reducing our carbon footprint. That was the reason we decided to pitch in and save what was left of Mike Larmour’s legacy.”
Bob and Judy Weeden also gave for Mike Larmour’s legacy:
“We gave to the Larmour project because it is worthy conservation and to show appreciation for Mike’s decades of community service.”
Mature mixed forests like that on Lot F are becoming increasingly rare in the Southern Gulf Islands. Research shows they hold 375 tonnes of carbon per hectare and sequester about 4 tonnes per hectare annually, so maintaining them represents our best way to offset our carbon emissions and fight climate change.
Diane Fay, neighbour to the clear-cut parcel, spoke to the damage:
“Watching the beautiful big trees falling to the ground, hearing the scream of the chainsaws all day long, and witnessing the complete desecration of the forest was heartbreaking, frustrating, and aggravating.”
She added,
“We are in the midst of a climate crisis that will certainly become much more pronounced in the coming years, and trees are found to be one of our most important allies in helping to slow down the devastating rollout of effects by capturing CO2, stabilizing lands, protecting wetlands and wildlife among other things. I want to be part of the solution.”
Many concerned and caring donors like these helped protect the adjacent forest and wetlands of Lot H in perpetuity. At this time, 79% of the funds have been raised for Lot F. The SSI Water Preservation Society needs to raise the last 21% in May. Every dollar is meaningful and powerful.
Susan Hannon, one of Lot F’s many donors, commented,
“The best thing we can do to combat climate change, protect biodiversity, and safeguard our water supply is to protect our forests, particularly older forest. That is why I donated to help protect the Larmour Lands.”
Another anonymous donor spoke to future generations:
"I'm too old now myself to go there and see the big trees in the forest on Mike Larmour's land. For me, I just want to know that it has been protected, not cut down, and that it will still be there for the sake of future generations, even if I never get to walk around there myself. It's important to me, knowing that there are wonderful places like that on Salt Spring, that still exist and will remain intact, and natural. That's why I donated to help them protect it. The young 'uns will need to know what a real forest looks like.”
Derek Lundy, another donor, commented:
“We were pleased to be in a position to contribute to the Larmour Lands project for two reasons: to help save and preserve an area of invaluable and irreplaceable forest and wetlands; and to head off any more of the ugly, boundary-to-boundary, clear-cutting destruction which had already been carried out on parts of the Larmour property.”
By protecting Lot H and the mature forests of Lot F, a larger protected area has been created to increase and enhance the health and function of this important ecosystem. And with conservation covenants already in place on nearby properties, the forest on Lot F is the missing puzzle piece. If Lot F’s forest is protected, a connected 46 acres (about 18.5 hectares) of pristine natural habitat will be protected, now and forever.
SSI Water Preservation Society is pleased to participate in this campaign to protect the lands once owned by a founder of the society, Mike Larmour, who knew the importance of protecting water resources and watersheds.
All photos by Rodney Polden
