More than 95 people attended GaLTT’s AGM, held at the Golf Course on Saturday March 29th. Ken Gurr introduced video presentations about three of GaLTT’s 118 Nature Stewards. In the videos each landholder explained their particular approach to rewilding and keeping their land wild. They shared the process, some “how-to” tips and why they believe wild and native is important. Watch them on Facebook (you don’t need an account to see them):
After the presentation at least 75 people stayed for the business meeting (click for slideshow), and its President’s Report, Treasurer’s Report, and election of the new Board of Directors. GaLTT’s many volunteers were thanked and some were recognised for exceptional effort. We were reminded of the contributions of volunteer extraordinaire and honorary member Randy Young, who passed away in 2024. In addition, Rob Brockley was awarded a certificate on becoming an “honorary” life member (see below).
The new GaLTT t-shirts were revealed and modelled by several of the Directors and volunteers: the new colour seems popular!
Volunteer awards
Our work party volunteers are at the heart of what we do as an organization, putting in amazing amounts of work to support our activities and initiatives. This year we thanked:
- Rolf Lutje (nominated by the Trails Committee)
- Peter Hellenius (nominated by the Invasive Species Committee)
- Kim Kasasian (nominated by the Invasive Species Committee)
Although Kim attends relatively few GaLTT work parties, she does a lot of work removing invasive plants independently. Over the last 5 years she has reduced the number of daphne plants growing at the Commons significantly, removing a shocking 40,000 the year she started and this year finding only 1,050. This year on Earth Day (April 22), we encourage Gabriolans to follow her example (on a smaller scale!) by spending a little time removing invasive plants in their neighbourhood as part of an island-wide Invasives Blitz.
A new honorary life member: Rob Brockley
The GaLTT Board thanked Rob Brockley for his extraordinary services to the Society, recognizing his contributions with a GaLTT honorary life membership. His work on committees and tenure as President saw many important achievements in land acquisition, conservation, and trails work. In accepting his award, Rob commented, “the reason that GaLTT is able to attract such great volunteers is because there are so many opportunities to contribute, whether your passion is trail building, conservation, accessibility, or communicating our message and educating others.”
Rob’s many contributions were recently catalogued one of our Past Presidents posts.
