Heritage Week in Canada offers us a chance to celebrate our natural and cultural heritage and reflect upon our place in the natural environment. Heritage Day also celebrates the work of citizen groups such as the Bowen Island Conservancy and the contribution made by such groups to the enrichment of our lives and that of our families. Inspiration for the work of conservancies in general came from Aldo Leopold who was an ecologist. Leopold wrote A Sand County Almanac (1966) in which he noted the importance of private stewardship and its role in creating a "land ethic". He promoted the notion that private landowners, as well as government, were essential in conserving our natural places. The Conservancy movement was influenced by Leopold's vision of a proactive citizenry engaged in the conservation of land and resources for the benefit and enjoyment of citizens and the plants and wildlife that are protected and managed by those actions. At the core of the movement is Leopold's notion of making use of private land, such as creation of land trusts, for the purpose of setting aside special places that protect environmental values.
Back in 1996, through the inspiration and leadership of Des Kennedy from Denman Island and a group of islanders, such as Ross Carter, the idea of a Bowen Land Conservancy took hold. They envisioned using land trusts established on private land to build networks of protected areas that would complement public parkland. The next year, led by Anne Ironside, a small group of us firmed up the mission and focus for a Bowen Island Conservancy.
Since those early days when the Conservancy conservancy promoted conservation covenants and the setting aside of nature preserves as part of development amenity packages, the Bowen Island Conservancy has grown into a very active group of members from all walks of life. The members of the Conservancy conservancy have worked with the municipality and developers such as Wolfgang Duntz to help secure the Singing Woods Park and John Reid to secure Quarry Park and Headwaters Park both of which are now officially open as municipal parks.
Much of the work of the Bowen Island Conservancy has been as advocates for unique, rare or endangered landscapes. In other instances, the Conservancy conservancy has worked with the Islands Trust fund to secure special sites, such as the 18-hectare Fairy Fen Nature Sanctuary.
In addition to advocating for special landscapes, the Conservancy has frequently taken an active role in site restoration and management. Through the Conservancy's efforts, members have helped to connect research scientists, such as Dr. Karen Golinski and Dr. Kendrick Brown, a paleoecologist, with the special attributes of the Fairy Fen site. Their work at Fairy Fen is leading to some significant changes in the way scientists will come to view sphagnum moss establishment in the Pacific Northwest.
While the Conservancy's work has ranged from the simple act of promoting the importance of Bowen's natural world to the scientific discovery of a new theory about the ecology of peatlands, its day-to-day activity includes work parties assisting nature through erosion control of steep slopes along sensitive streams as well as the development of management plans for special natural sites. Peter Drake, chair of the Bowen Island Conservancy, noted that, "our volunteers are keen to work with private landowners to help them protect their lands in a natural state. Identifying sensitive and unique landscapes for preservation, Conservancy volunteers assist landowners in development plans that can lead to dedication of land for future generations". Everhard van Lidth de Jeude who frequently leads volunteer work crews to rehabilitate disturbed sites, commented that, "it is an enjoyable volunteer job to get out and spend part of the day helping to restore Bowen's natural landscape. We invite other Bowen Islanders to join us."
Over the past 15 years, the Bowen Island Conservancy has assisted in the establishment of parks on Bowen and facilitated the transfer of land covenants. As well, the Conservancy has advocated for sound land use planning that respects environmental stewardship. Through land covenants, private landowners are able to set aside a portion of their property to remain in a natural state. In return, the landowners may receive a tax credit and even a reduction in property taxes once the NAPTEP (Natural Area Property Tax Exemption) programme is confirmed on Bowen and will be assured that, even after they may have sold their property, the covenant transfers with the title to protect the natural features into the future.
As Aldo Leopold noted over 50 years ago, "a land ethic reflects the existence of an ecological conscience, and this in turn reflects a conviction of individual responsibility for the health of the land." During National Heritage Week, Leopold's words speak to all of our interests and the work of the Bowen Island Conservancy.
DAVE WITTY
B.I. Conservancy
