Excellence in land conservation was the theme of an awards presentation in Victoria recently, when organizations and individuals were recognized for outstanding contributions. Savary Island Land Trust Society (SILT) walked away with two of the four awards presented at the event.
Land Trust Alliance of BC hosted the awards event and Paul McNair, executive director, called the recipients both outstanding and inspirational in their achievements. “The collective work of the land trusts and individuals we honour today underscores the vast efforts thousands of landowners, volunteers, donors, staff and board members are making to the success of land trusts in BC,” he said.
SILT received recognition for both outstanding non-land program and outstanding staff.
The society owns and supports over 16 acres of land and with a year-round population of only 30 people (swelling to up to 4,000 in the summer) has raised more than $100,000 a year over each of the last three years through a number of innovative activities. The activities have brought awareness to the fragility of an island that has been carved into thousands of lots across its six-mile-long base. SavaryStock, a biannual music and art celebration, individual art auctions and a concert donated by Colin James, are some of the fundraising initiatives.
Liz Webster is founder and executive director of SILT. “This award belongs to all of our donors, the artists who contribute to our auctions, the musicians who offer their talents, the hosts who offer their homes for events, the event organizers and volunteers and is a testimony to the love people feel for this very special place,” she said.
Before the society was founded in 1997, there was no protected land on Savary, the most subdivided island off the coast of BC. Webster’s hard work and vision has led to 17 parcels of land and more than 200 acres conserved by the Nature Trust of BC, province of BC and SILT. Her vitality led to the Nature Trust of BC’s acquisition of one of Canada’s most intact coastal dune ecosystems (and part of the last remaining Savary wilderness). Webster has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for land purchase and stewardship as well as promoting awareness about Savary’s unique ecology.
“I have been very fortunate to have the support of an incredibly talented board of directors for 16 years,” said Webster. “They believed in the vision and in me.” Webster is also an instructor at Vancouver Island University, Powell River campus. “I like to tell my students find your passion, follow your dreams, set goals, work hard and just keep going. I am grateful for having had the opportunity to do just that.”
Together with SILT and Webster, Ken Millard, founder of Galiano Conservancy Association, received the lifetime achievement award and Anne Kerr of the Nanaimo and Area Land Trust was recognized as outstanding volunteer.
The alliance represents 32 land trusts across BC. Members have conserved more than 1,200 properties totalling 1.4 million acres. For more information about land trusts, readers can visit the alliance's website.
