A Place in the Islands

• Winner 2008 National Award of Excellence from the Canadian Public Relations Society
• Winner 2007 Communications Leadership Award from the Canadian Public Relations Society
• Winner Honourable Mention 2007 Community Excellence Award from the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.

"A Place In The Islands" (PDF 3MB - Consolidated) an award-winning publication is produced to provide information to people who are new to living in the Islands Trust Area and the San Juan Islands and to generate awareness of the benefits and challenges of living on an island in this special part of the world.

This publication was produced by the Islands Trust, the Islands Trust Fund and the San Juan Preservation Trust, with financial assistance through the generosity of the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia and the R. Bruce Bedell Conservation Fund of Washington State. It was truly a transboundary project, with contributors from both the United States and Canada, demonstrating that through cooperation conservation knows no boundaries. A public advisory group was established to advise the partners of this joint publication.

If you are new to living on the islands, please contact your local Welcome Wagon or Newcomers Club or the nearest Islands Trust Office (located in Victoria, on Gabriola Island and Salt spring Island) for a complimentary copy.

If you are not new to the islands but would like a copy you can obtain one free copy by visiting one of our three offices in person or by sending a request, with an enclosed self-addressed and stamped ($2.55) 10.5” by 15” envelope to:

Islands Trust
200 - 1627 Fort St
Victoria, BC
V8R 1H8

If you require more than one copy, please complete an order form.

Chapter By Chapter

References for Landowners

Island Living

• Information on building energy efficient homes - BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
• Guide to burning wood cleanly, safely and efficiently - Natural Resources Canada
• Resources on a wide range of energy conservation topics: The BC Sustainable Energy Association
• Tips and information on energy-smart products: Natural Resources Canada, Office of Energy Efficiency
• Salt Spring Island Community Energy Strategy (formerly ‘One-Tonne-Challenge’ site)
• Ecological footprint quiz to find out how much “nature” your lifestyle requires
• Information on stewardship
• Non-native and invasive pests
• Information for B.C. homeowners on invasive plants and invasive plant issues - The Coastal Invasive Plant Committee
• Information about invasive plants/effective removal of such plants - Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team
• Naturescape BC
• Wildlife Tree Stewardship Program

Living With Wildlife

• To find the nearest wildlife and marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation centre

Fresh Water Treasures

• Rainwater harvesting demonstration and education project: Islands Trust Fund
• Protecting and conserving water in the Gulf Islands: Poster, Natural Resources Canada
• Sustainable approaches to water resources in BC - WaterBucket

Forest Groves and Woodlands

• Protecting your home from wildfire - British Columbia’s Ministry of Forests and Range
• Gulf Islands ecosystem mapping - Islands Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping
• Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory - Identifies rare and fragile terrestrial ecosystems to encourage land-use decisions that will ensure the continued integrity of these ecosystems

Waterfront Living

• A range of resources on waterfront living
• Living By Water: Information for shoreline residents to protect their property, prevent problems like erosion, and protect water quality, fish and wildlife habitat
• Georgia Basin Ecosystem Initiative

Farms and Fields

• Fairs and exhibitions in British Columbia - BC Association of Agricultural Fairs and Exhibitions, a non-profit organization
• Island Farmers' Alliance - Farmers, food producers, and supporters, who are working together to promote sustainable agriculture on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands
• Canadian Organic Growers
• FarmFolk/CityFolk - Food and agriculture resource organization, with members from BC including the Gulf Islands who organize annual Island Feast of Fields event

Other Times

• Archaeology sites in BC - Answers to frequently asked questions for private homeowners or finders of archaeological artifacts

Checking Out Our Plans

Zoning/Bylaws - The Islands Trust is a unique federation of independent local governments covering the islands and waters between southern Vancouver Island and the British Columbia mainland as far north as Comox, including Howe Sound. The federation works as a land use and planning agency and conservation land trust to preserve and protect the trust area.

Building permits The following regional districts and municipality issue building permits for local trust areas and island municipalities in the Islands Trust area:

• Capital (Salt Spring, Galiano, Mayne, Saturna, North Pender, South Pender)
• Cowichan Valley (Thetis)
• Nanaimo (Gabriola)
• Sunshine Coast (Gambier)
• Greater Vancouver (Boyer and Passage)
• Bowen Island Municipality (Bowen)
  

Shaping the Future

• Islands Trust Fund - As the land conservation arm of the Islands Trust, the Islands Trust Fund works with land owners and island communities to protect special places in the Islands Trust Area
• Land Trust Alliance of British Columbia - An umbrella group for local land trusts. See their member page to find out if there is a land trust working on your island
• Green Legacies - A guide for those considering leaving donations and other gifts to nature conservation organizations