Nature
If there is one characteristic that either attracts people to the island or has a immediate impact once they settle here, it is nature.
Beach Walks:
There are many but our own beach provides a wealth of marine life and a live Sand Dollar bed about a ten minute walk towards the point. Walking the opposite direction at low tide will take to Drummond Park. (it has a nice children’s playground). Under some cedar trees next to the north end of the parking lot, you’ll find a petroglyph of a seal on a large, smooth boulder.
Beddis Beach is another one that is popular, with access toward the end of Beddis Road.
An unusually high number of people have embraced the concept of an interrelated planetary ecosystem and have become conservationists, naturalists, and environmentalists as well as just plain enthusiastic gardeners.
The Salt Spring Stream and Salmon Enhancement Society works to restore and protect creeks on the island and operates a small hatchery on Cusheon Creek.
Members of the Island Natural Growers, a chapter of the Canadian Organic Growers, are dedicated to applying natural organic principles and practices on their farms. They are very active in promoting land protection, land trusting organic certification and providing safe food for consumers.
The Salt Spring Conservancy is a non-profit society that receives, holds and manages land for preservation of natural habitats on the island. It assists landowners who wish to learn more about the possibilities of land preservation the placing of “land Covenants” on their land.
The Water Preservation Society works to protect and preserve Salt Spring’s lakes and freshwater supplies. It supports scientific study and research into water resources and promotes public awareness for water protection.
The Waterbird Watch Collective monitors and documents water bird populations along the coast, lakes and ponds of salt Spring and provides data for a variety of national and international scientific studies.
The Island Wildlife Natural Care Centre is a wildlife rehabilitation centre dedicated to the rehabilitation of the sick, injured and orphaned wild animals. The emphasis is on alternative, non toxic treatments such as homeopathic and herbal remedies to preserve and restore immune systems in young animals. Founded by Jeff Letterman, it is the only center of it kind on the west coast.
The Salt Spring Garden Clubencourages local gardeners by sponsoring speakers on all aspects of horticulture.
These are only a few of the environmentally conscious groups on the island, who rely on volunteers to do the work of pursuing their cause.
There is a organization for just about any cause you could imagine, and if there isn’t one in existence, a group is quickly formulated to address an issue that comes to the fore front.
Even as the island grows and more and more people are moving here there is a strong will to preserve the beauty of the island and conserve and protect it’s resources. (see also To Preserve and Protect).