Explore More
Scroll through our curated list of links to free videos and online resources, both practical and inspirational (sorted by your most-asked-about topics):
Inspiration & General Info
- Download GaLTT’s “General Pointers for Nature Friendly Property Stewardship” handout.
- Subscribe to GaLTT’s YouTube Channel. Click on our “Playlist” for some excellent documentaries. We have done several “Nature Tips” videos.
- GaLTT’s Nature Stewards Pamphlet (4 pp PDF). Share it with others!
- From our partner, Islands Trust Conservancy: an overview of the sensitive ecosystems on these islands. (20 pp PDF)
- Shaw TV interview with Snuneymuxw Elder and Knowledge Keeper, C-tasi:a (Geraldine Manson) (28 mins)
- Fantastic Fungi is a 2019 movie. People lined up for blocks to see it in major cities around the world. One of the most inspirational films ever made about the ecology beneath us, and why it’s so important to preserve our remaining forests. (feature length, online streaming)
- If there is one exceptional and beautifully written book to read for gaining a deeper understanding of looking at nature anew with Indigenous values and knowledge it is: Braiding Sweetgrass – Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. (Available from most libraries and local bookstores.)
- A Place in the Islands: commemorative booklet produced by Islands Trust with articles and images of the glorious natural heritage of these BC islands in the Salish Sea (26 pp PDF)
Building construction & site prep—reducing environmental impacts
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From RDN’s Water Stewardship program, a good overview about making your property Firesmart & Watersmart (4 pp – PDF) with info relevant to this coastal environment vs. other “firesmart tips” that don’t really apply here.
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Excellent 11-minute video on YouTube from our friends at Transition Salt Spring regarding Firesmarting by working with the natural characteristics of our westcoast temperate rainforests: Reduce Fire and Drought Risk – A Field Trip with Forest Ecologist Erik Piikkila
- From the Islands Trust: Basic Tips on Building Sustainably (8-pp PDF)
- Sustainable Building Site Comprehensive Guide from Regional District of Nanaimo (40-pp PDF)
In the Garden
- From our partners at Habitat Acquisition Trust (HAT) in Victoria: Gardening tips for nature lovers (webpage) and Gardening with Native Plants (8-pp PDF)
- Gabriola’s Wild Rose Garden Centre and Wheelbarrel Nursery support Nature Stewards, carry excellent plant stock and have decades of local knowledge and friendly advice.
- More from Habitat Acquisition Trust (HAT) in Victoria on enviro-friendly lawns
- From our conservation colleagues in Tualatin, Oregon an excellent free online seminar on Naturescaping Basics (YouTube video 1 hour)
- From our conservation colleagues in Tualatin, Oregon this excellent & free online seminar on restoration gardening using native plants (YouTube video 1 hour)
- Before you excavate any native plants or trees, e-mail GaLTT’s Native Plants Recovery Team. Volunteers can come to your property and carefully remove some of the native vegetation for our habitat restoration projects elsewhere or for other Gabriola gardeners to use. (GaLTT has a drop-off/pick-up native plant depot at the Commons West entrance).
Our forests
- TED talk from renowned UBC forest ecologist, Dr. Suzanne Simard (video – 18 mins)
- From GaLTT’s YouTube Playlist: Vancouver Island Tree Stories –“Indigenous tree of life” (3 mins)
- Factsheet from our partner, Islands Trust Conservancy on Gabriola’s Coastal Douglas Fir ecosystem
- Ross Reid’s “Nerdy About Nature” YouTube channel explores the ecological wonders of B.C.’s coastal forests, including: Forest Resilience (2 mins) and Old Growth vs. 2nd Growth (10 mins)
- Importance of snags and other dead trees: from our colleagues at Conservation NW. (webpage)
For the birds
- From conservation colleagues in the U.S. Northeast, a fine summary on YouTube about doing small things to make a big difference for the habitat of resident and migratory birds. (video under 5 mins)
- BC’s Habitat Conservation Trust Fund (HCTF): Tips for a Bird Friendly Backyard (online PDF)
- Cornell Labs: their excellent, easy-to-use website, All About Birds—bird I.D., sounds, habitat and more
- From Nestwatch, practical tips by target species and simple-to-navigate website on building and putting up birdhouses
- Help prevent bird mortalities due to hitting your windows. See Birdsavers for several solutions (website)
Coastlines, water & riparian zones
- Learn more about Gabriola’s watersheds and creeks. GaLTT and the local Streamkeepers group are teaming up to help islanders care for the watersheds and water that flows on the island. GaLTT has produced factsheets for these waterways: Goodhue Creek & You (2-pp PDF) and Castell Creek & You (2-pp PDF) . Info here is also useful for all the creeks on Gabriola.
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How do riparian areas work? (1 pp PDF)
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From Islands Trust: Overview and Links about Marine Shoreline Conservation (webpage). And for deeper learning, see A Guide to Protecting Your Property While Promoting Healthy Shorelines (48-pp PDF guidebook)
- Proper manure management is crucial for all properties with any type of livestock in this temperate rainforest environment. From ponds and coastlines to wells to ditches, protect the island’s water quality from manure runoff and water contamination—for you and wild critters. (website)
- Here’s how to build a biodiverse rain garden (website): easy-to-read and adapt for our coastal environment. Plus here’s a Team WaterSmart handout on Rain Gardens from the RDN (PDF)
- From our partners at Habitat Acquisition Trust in Victoria: good tips on building a pond
Helping pollinators
- Tips and for attracting butterflies and other pollinators from our partners at Habitat Acquisition Trust (PDF)
- Butterflies and Moths Who’s Who: from our pals at Victoria’s Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team (GOERT) (online PDF)
- Best Pacific Northwest U.S. native plants & shrubs guide by Eileen M. Stark (book and blog)
- Gabriola’s Wild Rose Garden Centre and Wheelbarrel Nursery carry excellent plant stock for extending the blooming season with flowering plants for pollinators.
Controlling invasives & other forms of natural “pests”
- See our Invasive Species page (webpage)
- Impacts of cats and dogs: tips to mitigate (webpage)
- Web article on deer vs. gardener: practical ideas relevant for Gabriolans.
- BC Government webpage with a good index of links dealing with the most common garden pests. Emphasis on prevention techniques and environmentally safer, Integrated Pest Management for Home & Garden.
Wildlife rescue/protection from harm
- Our partner GROWLS (Gabriola Rescue of Wildlife Society) helps protect island wildlife in many ways, including emergency calls.
- And if concerns or problems with wildlife? See BC Wildsafe for tips and contact info. (website)
Leaving a legacy for future generations
Legally protect natural habitat on your property for generations to come with a conservation covenant. It’s registered on your property title via a land trust (e.g. GaLTT), and protects your land from development—not just while you own and live on the land, but even after your property is sold or transferred to new owners.
Covenants registered through the Islands Trust’s Natural Areas Protection Tax Exemption Program (NAPTEP) are eligible for a 65% reduction in property taxes on the portion of land protected.
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished”
– Lao Tzu (ancient Chinese philosopher)
