Summer - Savary Island Land Trust

Savary developer
Roger Sahlin files for
bankruptcy! See front
page for details
photo: Dean van’t Schip
P R E S E RVAT I O N
S U M M E R
Summer
15 events
2 0 1 5
The Savary Island Land Trust Society (SILT) is a non-profit registered
charity. Our goal is the preservation of wilderness, wildlife habitat, clean
water, and access to greenspace.
To join, visit www.silts.ca
Wed. July 1 11am-3pm SILT table@Savary Farmers Market Pascal’s La Hacienda
and every Tuesday
2778 Brian’s Way/Vancouver Boulevard in July and Aug. (across from the church)
Mon. Aug. 3
Sat. Jul. 25
Evening Dance Party Featuring
11 am SILT AGM Main Fire hall
12 - 9 pm SAVARYSTOCK Music Festival & Auction
Sat. Aug. 29
Nature Walks & Talks with Phil Henderson, Reg. Professional Biologist
10 am Indian Point boat ramp
noon Meadow Beach @ Julian Rd
CALL
FOR VOLUNTEERS
2 pm Duck Bay
Volunteers are required
SILT membership/donation form
for the following teams:
• Grounds
INVOLVED!
I would like to become a member of theGET
Savary
Island Land Trust Society.
• Gate
• Food
Sat.
July
25
Annual dues
Regular $25
FamilyHELP
$40
• 50/50 Draw
RAISE FUNDS
SAVARY’S ECOLOGY.
BE A PART OF
Addr_________________________________________________ City___________________
Prov__________________
THE FESTIVITIES.
Complimentary
admission,
PC _______________ Tel ____________________ Savary Addr ______________________
Tel__________________
drink and
BC beer & wine, live music,
bbq food & kids activities
12-9pm
• Ticket Sales
I would•like
to contribute
Merchandise
• Kids Krafts
to the preservation
• Site Crew of land
on Savary
Island
Your gift
of time isand am
sincerely appreciated!
enclosing
a cheque for my
tax deductible donation.
food ticket.
Send form and payment to: SILT: Savary Island Land Trust Society, Box 141, AllLund,
V0N 2G0
proceeds go toB.C.
the
White
Savary Island
Join or Donate Contact
online atRuth
www.silts.ca
604-483-6627
604-483-4447
The Red House B&B [email protected]
Silent & Live Auctions
Blvd. @Julian Rd
Silent Auction starts - 12The Red House B&B (1265 Vancouver Blvd. & Julian Rd.)
Live Auction - 3
TO PRESERVE
Name _______________________________________________ Email_________________________________________
THE ADAM WOODALL BAND
RED
HOUSE
1265 Vancouver
At the
Land Trust Society
Don’t miss the
AUCTION at
Sat. July 25
12-9pm
Admission $5 before 5pm, $20 after 5
•Free for kids under 10
•Zero Waste Event
•No Dogs
3PM
• Art by renowned artists
• Flights to & from Savary
• Recreation activities
and much more
All proceeds go to the
Savary Island
Land Trust Society
Sponsors
The Red House B&B
CONSTRUCTION
SAVARYSTOCK: CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
Sat. July 25 12-9 pm
• GET INVOLVED!
Volunteers are required
• HELP RAISE FUNDS TO
PRESERVE SAVARY’S ECOLOGY. for the following teams:
• Grounds
• BE A PART OF
• Gate
• Food
THE FESTIVITIES.
Complimentary admission,
drink and food ticket.
Contact Ruth White
604-483-6627 604-483-4447
The Red House B&B [email protected]
• 50/50 Draw
• Ticket Sales
• Merchandise
• Kids Krafts
• Site Crew
Your gift of time is
sincerely appreciated!
Savary Island developer Roger Sahlin
WS
E
N
files for bankruptcy in Washington state LASH
F
by Liz Webster, m.a.
Executive Director,
Savary Island Land Trust Society
oger Sahlin, the owner of 50%
undivided interest in DL 1375,
filed for bankruptcy on May 22,
2015. In addition to filing for personal
bankruptcy, four of Mr. Sahlin’s companies, Governor’s Point Development
Co, Dancing Waters LLC, Pleasant
Bay Properties and Associates LP and
Pleasant Road Partners LP also filed for
bankruptcy. Little is known about the
details of the cases at this time.
According to an article from
the Bellingham Herald (September
3, 2014) the Sahlin family, has
owned most of the peninsula south
of Bellingham for the past 50 years.
They put the Governors’ Point
property on the market a year after
the Sahlins’ business, Governors
Point Development Co., lost in a state
Court of Appeals, where it tried to
convince the judges that Bellingham
needed uphold a 40-year-old promise
to provide city water to the point.
Apparently, the Sahlins had submitted
a development application before
the residential density was restricted
to one lot for every five acres, and
were planning a 141-lot subdivision
on the point, to be served by city
water. Rather than appeal to the state
Supreme Court, the Sahlins decided
to sell. Now Mr. Sahlin and 4 of his
businesses have filed for bankruptcy.
Savary Islanders are familiar
with development plans proposed
by the Sahlin family. Here on Savary,
opposition to the development of
DL 1375 began when the developers
purchased it in the 1980’s, and has
grown considerably since that time.
Twenty years ago the Savary Island
community said no to a 90 parcel gated
community on DL 1375 proposed by
Roger Sahlin’s RRR Construction and
David Syre’s Trillium Corporation.
The proposal put forward included
90 waterfront parcels, an airport and
private airplane hangars. The plan was
proposed for the last intact District Lot
on Savary; a 133 hectare parcel in the
center of the Island and the largest and
last wild space on Savary. On August
22, 1995 the Powell River Regional
District (PRRD) held a public hearing
on Savary, to seek public input for the
R
gated community bylaw, locally known BC in a court appeal in 2010. Many
by many as the “Trillium BUY Law”.
Savary Islanders donated to the court
Held before the fire hall was built, the
appeal but in the end it failed and
gathering took place at Duck Bay under the land remains under threat of
the trees. Much of the community
subdivision today.
expressed opposition to the
plan and ultimately the PRRD
withdrew the Bylaw and began
Currently only the trails shown in red are protected
the Savary OCP process.
Today we know that the
areas slated for development in
1995 contain ecosystems with
rare plants, plant communities,
intact archaeological sites and
endangered species. The 1995
bylaw would have destroyed
all of this.
SILT was established in
1997, to preserve this last
wilderness on Savary. The
developers put forward a
subdivision application to
divide the land into 36 parcels.
In 2001, MOTI Approving
Officer, Mr Howard Hunter
tentatively approved the
subdivision of the land into 10
After failing to complete any of
acre parcels, subject to the satisfaction
the requirements of the subdivision
of numerous stringent conditions
application over the last few years,
designed to address the ecological,
the Sahlin developers requested and
environmental, archaeological,
were granted three extensions by
geotechnical, and health issues that
the Ministry of Transportation and
concerned Islanders alerted him to.
Infrastructure Approving Officer, Jeffery
The preliminary layout approval
Moore. The most recent extension is
contained 20 conditions.
until January 2016. SILT has learned
In 2002, David Syre decided to
sell his part of DL 1375 and the Nature that the Sahlins are 2 years in arrears
with their property taxes in DL 1375.
Trust of BC was able to purchase
Savary has changed in very many
the 50% undivided interest in the
ways over the last 20 years. Today we
property. Another 13 acre adjoining
know so much more about the land
parcel was acquired and 12 one acre
and its significance than we did at that
waterfront lots were donated to the
public hearing under the trees at Duck
effort by 2 Savary Islanders. Since
Bay on August 22, 1995. Today DL1375
then, the Nature Trust of BC has tried
is recognized as the best example of
to purchase the remaining 50% of DL
a coastal dune ecosystem in Canada,
1375 from the Sahlin family. In 2010
designated as a Heritage Conservation
SILT endorsed the PRRD’s proposal to
amend the Savary OCP to designate DL Area in the Powell River Regional
District, and as such, subject to
1375 as a Heritage Conservation Area
Development Permits. Today DL 1375
and establish the first development
is on the BC Parks acquisition list.
permits in the Regional District. The
The Sahlin bankruptcies went to
Sahlins took the Nature Trust to court
court in Seattle, Washington on June 17.
to partition the property. The court
It is unclear at this time how the Sahlin
decision failed to take environmental
bankruptcies might impact DL 1375.
factors into consideration and now
Nature Trust of BC Chairman, Doug
the division of the property into
Christopher will give an update on DL
alternating strips threatens to destroy
1375 at the SILT AGM on August 3,
the natural connectivity of the land.
2015 at the Main Firehall at 11 am.
SILT joined with the Nature Trust of
S AVE O U R T RAI LS
broom bash
before & after
Meadows Beach
before the Broom Bash
February 28, 2015
March 22, 2015
After four days of
Broom bashing
Broom Bashers tackle Broom Forest at the Meadows
here are relatively few areas on
the South Coast that contain
sand ecosystems. The sand
dunes of Savary Island contain some
of the best areas of coastal sand
ecosystems in the Province, and many
endangered species and ecological
communities are found here. Savary’s
rare sand dune ecosystems are
struggling and threatened by invasive
species like Scotch broom Cytisus
scoparius. This invader can outcompete native species and is known
to release toxins into the soil, stopping
the growth of native plants. In addition
to this, broom plants contain volatile
oils and mature plants produce large
amounts of woody fuel, increasing the
risk and intensity of fires.
Non-native plants introduced
into an ecosystem where they did
not previously live, are invasive
when they spread and push out
native species. Whether innocently
introduced by well-intentioned
gardeners, or accidentally imported,
they are a serious ecological problem.
Scotch broom is an invasive plant that
was introduced to Savary around 1912.
As noted in 1931 by R.S. Sherman
in his text, “The Ecology of Savary
Island” “If it could be confined to the
steep sand-slopes of the south shore,
this shrub might in time vindicate its
existence and the wisdom of those
who introduced it...”
Broom destroys native plant
communities by pushing out native
species. SILT is working with the
South Coast Conservation Program on
the removal of invasive species like
broom, from some of the remaining
areas of rare and endangered plants
and plant communities on Savary’s
crown perimeter.
T
Last year we focussed our energies
at Indian Point, near the boat ramp
and only a few shoots have returned
so far. This year the challenge was the
Meadows.
The Meadows Beach area is home
to several rare and endangered plants
and plant communities. Broom is a
significant threat to these fragile areas.
Over the course of 3 weekends Island
Broom Bashers tackled the “Broom
Forest” at the Meadows Beach. The
idea here is to try to prevent the broom
from spreading any further into the
very rare and sensitive ecosystems
found in this location. Many of the
broom plants were huge and contorted
in shape, making removal a real
challenge.
Thanks to all who took part
in tackling this very difficult site.
The Crews included: Ruth White,
Paul Leighton, Truls Skogland,
Leif Skogland, Tamsin Baker, Chad
Skinner, George Chambers, Bob &
Pauline Eberle, Sarah & Jim Barker and
Molly Noel.
To learn more about broom and
for tips on how property owners can
reduce the establishment of invasive
plants check out these links:
SILT Newsletter http://www.silts.ca/
pdfs/news06Spring.pdf
SILT Newsletter http://www.silts.ca/
pdfs/news10.pdf
South Coast Conservation Program
http://www.sccp.ca/
‘Coastal Invasive Species Committee’
http://www.coastalisc.com.
‘Invasive Species Council of BC’ http://
www.bcinvasives.ca.
References
Sherman, R.S “The Ecology of Savary
Island” in Museum and Art Notes, 1931.
Are you a Coastal Sand
Steward? Do you...
• Tread carefully and stay on
designated trails in sensitive
areas?
• Keep wheeled vehicles off the
beach?
• Avoid playing on, digging into
or sliding down dunes of sand
cliffs?
• Help to stop the spread of
invasive species?
If you said yes to some or all of
these questions, then you are
well on your way to being a
Coastal Sand Steward! To join the
growing group of Islanders who
agree to be good neighbours to
local coastal sand ecosystems,
go to http://www.silts.ca/pdfs/
SandSteward.pdf for your Coastal
Sand Certificate. Sign it and send a
copy to [email protected].
Hartland MacDougall’s leadership helped
shape the Savary Island Land Trust Society
artland MacDougall was
among the founding Directors
of the Savary Island Land
Trust Society. After serving on the
board he carried on as a keen
and enthusiastic supporter,
contributor, auctioneer, and
promoter of the efforts of the Trust
for many years. He is sadly missed
since his passing in September
of 2014. Our condolences remain
with the family.
Hartland and Eve MacDougall
came to Savary to visit friends
for a weekend in the summer
of 1961. They fell in love with
the island, and by the end of the
weekend were changing their east
coast summer vacation plans in
favour of staying at Savary. After
walking the beach they found a
house to rent for the rest of the
summer. The MacDougalls have
been returning ever since. In
those days Savary was a sleepy
summer retreat; there were only
a couple of vehicles on the Island
and the road was a lovely solid
path with grass running down the
centre line. Today MacDougall
family members travel with their
families from Vancouver,
Toronto and Philadelphia
to spend time together
on Savary. In 2009, the
MacDougall family donated a 2.5 acre
parcel of forest land to SILT, which
became known as the MacDougall
Forest. Commenting at the time, on
what the Island meant to his family
Hart said, “Next year will be our 50th
anniversary on Savary so this will be
our gift back to the island that has
meant so much to the MacDougall
family”.
H
Hart was the founding Chairman
of Heritage Canada and truly
understood the importance of
ecological and cultural heritage.
Hart Macdougal
and what it could do, for the Island
he loved so dearly. He will be sadly
missed and fondly remembered.
Hart’s charitable work was
This photo was taken at the SILT Art Auction at the home of
Robyn and Wynn Woodward in 2012. Hart is seen here on the
left with his son and assistant Keith MacDougall on the right.
To me, Hart was a giant of a man, a
generous friend and mentor. It was
a great honour to know him and
to work with him; he was such a
brilliant visionary and positive force.
He inspired me in so many ways
with his grace, wisdom, strength
and generosity. It was such a joy to
found SILT with him because he
knew instantly how important it was,
enormous and his skill as an
auctioneer legendary.
SILT was very close to his heart.
After his passing, SILT was honoured
when the family named it as a recipient
of donation in his memory. To date
over $5,000 was raised in memory of
Hartland MacDougall. SILT is very
grateful and would like to thank those
who contributed.
coastal sand ecosystems placemat-press.pdf
Placemats
Western Yew (Taxus brevifolia)
Contorted-pod evening-primrose
(Camissonia contorta)
Federally-listed endangered plant.
Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum)
Despite over a century of industrial logging, Savary still has rare remnants of old growth and mature forests.
The ancient dunes that occur in the central portion of Savary are stabilized by extensive and unique forests of Douglasfir and Salal on the southern section of the dunes. On the cooler northern side Western Redcedar is more prevalent.
$10 each or
Set of 6 for $50.
C
Species Information
Western Yew
Bigleaf Maple
Generations of woodworkers have valued the
durable wood of the Yew. Described as an
evergreen shrub to small tree, the Yew is
very slow growing. On Savary, the few Yew
that remain are found in the forested dunes
and on the south cliffs.
The largest maple in Canada. This tree is
called the paddle tree in many First Nations
languages because the wood was used to
make paddles. The Bigleaf maple carries a
greater load of mosses and other plants than
any other tree species in our region.
M
Y
Western redcedar
Arbutus
Arbutus (Arbutus menziesii)
Known as the Tree of Life by coastal First Nations. A broadleaf evergreen tree with thin reddishIt is found in the cool mild and moist areas of the brown, smooth peeling bark. Grows up to 30
island. In addition to some very large individual
metres tall. Savary's Big Arbutus ranks among
trees or clusters of trees found on rights of way
the largest in the province. The arbutus is
and on private property, a large grove of old
honoured in First Nations tradition, as survivors
growth cedar still remains on DL 1375.
of the Great Flood tied their canoes to it.
Large-headed sedge (Carex macrocephala)
Related to grasses, this sedge plant has dense,
dark spiky heads in summer and fall.
MY
The sand dunes of Savary Island support unique ecosystems not commonly found in BC. There are relatively few areas on BC’s
South Coast that contain sand ecosystems and Savary Island contains some of the best examples in Western Canada.
The sparsely-vegetated areas found along the shores of Savary Island contain plants and animals that struggle for survival in a
dynamic environment of wind, sand, waves and weather. Many endangered species and ecological communities live here in the
shifting sand. Savary Island is also home to an ancient forested dune ecosystem that covers one third of the island.
CMY
K
Photography by Dean van't Schip
Enjoy Savary Island.
Please be aware that coastal sand ecosystems are susceptible to human disturbances.
Please minimize your impact:
• Tread carefully. Stay on existing trails.
• Avoid playing on, digging or carving into, and sliding down dunes or sand cliffs.
• Keep wheeled vehicles off the dunes and beaches.
• Help stop the spread of invasive plants such as Scotch broom.
• Keep dogs on-leash. Pick up after your pet.
CY
Coastal Douglas Fir
Western redcedar (Thuja plicata)
8:12 PM
Beach bindweed (Calystegia soldanella)
A threatened plant with kidney-shaped
leaves and attractive pink-purple flowers.
Also known as beach morning-glory.
Seashore lupine (Lupinus littoralis)
A perennial herb often found in mats
with flowers that range from blue to purple
with some white.
CM
Found only along the southern mainland coast and across Vancouver Island. Coastal Douglas-fir trees have very thick bark which enables them to survive moderate surface fires.
They can live for 1000 years. Savary still has many veteran and fire scarred Douglas-fir trees. The largest measured in this project is the Sherman Sentinel with a circumference of 6m 10cm.
The Savary Island Land Trust began to document the ancient trees and sensitive ecosystems
on Savary in the summer of 2013. The photos here represent examples of the dominant
species recorded. To view the Savary Island Ancient Tree Project go to www.silts.ca
Do you know of any big old trees on Savary? Let us know at [email protected]
This project was funded by The Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia,
the Powell River Regional District and the Savary Island Land Trust Society.
14-07-14
The world-renowned beaches, dunes and sand cliffs are made up of glacial sand deposits. Savary Island is essentially a migrating
sandbar. The sand cliffs are eroding at an average annual rate of .025 meters in the north to .41 meters on the south side. Due to
human-made threats, coastal sand habitats on BC’s South Coast are estimated to have declined by about 57% since 1930. This
makes the remaining areas, like those found on Savary Island, special and important to protect.
Mature forests are still found throughout the Island on private land, protected land and on public rights of way.
These forests provide habitat for many species, they help to connect and protect ecosystems and they are the
foundation of future old growth forests.
Western redcedar (Thuja plicata)
Available at SILT Events
this summer and at shops
in Lund.
Savary Island represents a highly unusual landscape within the internationally significant Coastal Douglas-fir
Biogeoclimatic zone. This zone is restricted to the southwest coast of the province, running along a narrow strip of
the mainland coast from Greater Vancouver to Lund, the southeast coast of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
Savary’s dry coniferous forests consist predominantly of Douglas-fir and some isolated areas of Western Hemlock.
Most ecosystems occurring within the Coastal Douglas-fir zone are found nowhere else in North America.
1
This project was undertaken with the financial support of
Ce projet a été réalisé avec lʼappui financier de :
Beach pea (Lathryrus japonicus)
Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius)
Sprawling plant with colourful, showy
pink flowers. Most common peavine
on south coast beaches.
Prolific invader that forms dense stands that
stabilize the sand and increase soil fertility,
changing the nature of the ecosystem.
Photo credits: Tamsin Baker, Dawn Hanna, Jennifer Heron, Claudia Schaefer, Elizabeth Watkinson, Liz Webster, Kym Welstead
Big Arbutus (Arbutus menziesii)
All bottom photos – Coastal Douglas FIr (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
American searocket (Cakile edentula)
One of the first colonizers of the windswept
sand near the ocean’s edge. Introduction from
eastern Canada, often occurs with the similar
European searocket.
Grey beach peavine (Lathyrus littoralis)
Provincially-listed threatened
plant also known as silky beach pea.
Dune wildrye (Leymus mollis ssp. mollis)
A tall grass dominant
in sand ecosystems.
Also known as dunegrass.
Gumweed (Grindelia stricta)
Daisy-like flowers are encircled by
bracts covered in a sticky
substance, giving it its name.
Northern wormwood
(Artemisia campestris ssp. pacifica)
When grouped with red fescue and grey
rock-moss, forms a provincially listed
endangered ecological community.
Island Tiger Moth (Grammia complicata)
Threatened moth whose world-wide
distribution is almost exclusively on BC’s
coast. Has been found on Savary Island.