Newsletter May 2011

LANDKEEPERS FOR DENMAN ISLAND

Since March the Landskeepers Program has quietly but steadily developed, training volunteers with the aim of integrating them into the ongoing work of monitoring and maintaining the lands under the DCA’s stewardship.   It began with a well-attended Orientation Assembly on March 20.  Three-dozen or so enthusiastic folk gathered.  The knowledge and expertise found in the circle of folks present was truly remarkable auguring well for the work to come.  The assembly ended with much promise as folks walked out into the sunshine of the first day of spring.

It was clear after the assembly

that the first order of business for the Landskeeper Program is to familiarize volunteers with lands under DCA care.  To that end a number of activities have taken place such as three GPS workshops, which took folks into Central Park looking for geo-caches strategically scattered over the lands.  Friday morning Migratory Bird Walks in Central Park welcomed the new arrivals exciting the participants with each additional appearance.   The endangered Taylor Checkerspot Butterfly’s larvae was searched for and found in the Railway Grade Marsh.  Currently the hatched Checkerspots in the Settlement Lands are being counted and recorded.

For the coming days

a number of events are being planned.  The baseline work in the RGM will unfold.   Following the informative visit to the Lindsay Dickson marine foreshore seeking out it’s many delightful creatures, more excursions into Lindsay Dickson Forest are planned.   An Assembly is projected for early June where a job description and a rough monitoring schedule will be introduced.  Over time all properties will be studied showing participants the important ecological assets of each of the lands and preparing them for assisting with monitoring and management tasks.

Its not too late to join in these activities. For further information contact Juan Barker.

The Landkeepers Project is being undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada, provided through the Department of the Environment.

TAYLOR’S CHECKERSPOTS IN MAY

The endangered Taylor’s Checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha taylori) whose only known Canadian breeding sites are on Denman Island can be seen flying through May and early June. This year, with the cool wet weather, very few sightings have been recorded.

If you think you see a Taylor’s Checkerspot, note the time and place and let me, Jenny Balke or J Thornton know. Information on sightings is important in our quest to conserve this beautiful creature.

Andrew Fyson, DCA Land Manager

Saturday May 28 Bird Song Walk

Meet at 8 am for a walk in Central Park starting from the corner of Denman and North Central Roads (kitty corner from the Cemetery). Join Patrick Fawkes who said: “We will walk slowly and stop often to listen to each bird’s song and try to remember it!”

AT THE AGM – MARCH 28

With much regret we acknowledged the resignations from the Board of Carol and David Freeman. We owe a huge thank-you to these two hardworking Board members for many years of service to Denman Island and particularly to the DCA.

DCA DIRECTORS FOR 2011

• Stacey Armstrong
• Patrick Fawkes
• Jenny Balke
• DD Fuchs
• Doug Bell
• Peter Karsten
• Annie Corddry
• Keith Keller
• David Critchley
• John Millen
• John Dillon
• J Thornton
• Susan-Marie Yoshihara

GREEN CEMETERY PROGRESS

Work on the subdivision of the Cemetery parcel from Central Park land has continued as Islands Trust put forward changes to the Denman Land Use Bylaw to provide for the cemetery.

A Conservation Covenant

will be attached to the title of the cemetery land when it is transferred. Substantial agreement has been reached between DCA and DIMS on the text of the covenant. The covenant will provide for maintaining only native vegetation on the land and its use for natural burials. Natural burial aims to return human remains to the earth in their natural state, with little or no impact on the land and without the emissions that result from cremation.

Denman Conservancy Association Newsletter May 2011

2011 HOME & GARDEN TOUR

Thanks to our volunteers! We absolutely could not do it without you!

Contributors to this Newsletter: Juan Barker, Patrick Fawkes, Andrew Fyson, John Millen, Susan-Marie Yoshihara

Very special thank you to Des Bowman whose lemonade stand in Jayne-Anne’s garden raised $11 for DCA

(We want to thank every volunteer who helped with this year’s Tour. If your name was left out, we apologize!)

Thanks to the property owners who made the Tour possible:

Denman Island Arts Centre
Shayne Barker and Tracy Horovatin
Mikell and Toby Callahan
The Hermitage Fellowship
Bruce Holden and Lee Andra Jacobs
Jayne Anne O’Reilly
Carol and John Ralston
Mark Randall and John Tallerino
Dawn Stoffer
Jimmy Tait
Yoshi and Susan-Marie Yoshihara

Thanks to our sponsors:

Union Bay Credit Union
Rawganique
Fanny Bay Oysters
H20 Environmental
Baynes Sound Oysters
South Country Feed
Brian Miles
Van Isle Vet.
Safeway
Buckley Bay Beachcomber Petrocan
Superstore
Art Knapp Nursery

Thanks to the Ticket Outlets:

Abraxas Books
Denman Craft Shop
Denman General Store
32 Books, Hornby Island
Apple Seed Cottage, Campbell River
Something Special, Campbell River
Home and Garden Gate, Courtenay and Cumberland
Art Knapp Nursery, Courtenay
Blue Heron Books, Comox
Arrowsmith Greenhouses, Qualicum Beach
Ken-Dor Garden Centre, Qualicum Beach
Cannor Nursery, Parksville
Dig This, Nanaimo
Long Lake Nurseries, Nanaimo

Thanks to our coordinator Shonna Janeway and her team

who pulled it off despite the weather!
Press:  Laura Busheikin
Photography: Kate Janeway

Denman Conservancy Association Newsletter May 2011