ThINC - Fairyslipper Forest Reserve is Due for Its (pre) Spring Cleaning: March 11th and 12th

Hello Thetis Islanders, 

After a three-year funding campaign led by ThINC, in partnership with Islands Trust Conservancy (ITC) and Cowichan Community Land Trust (CCLT), Fairyslipper Forest was acquired in 2018 and became the first and only publicly accessible nature reserve on Thetis Island. Thanks to the generosity of the community, this acquisition was made possible, and today the space offers residents and visitors opportunities for walking, birdwatching, nature exploration, and photography. It also protects a maturing stand of Coastal Douglas-fir forest that is home to the highest diversity of plant species in British Columbia. But, invasive species are moving in…. 

Identified by its thick and glossy, dark-green, spiny leaves and red berries, holly is considered one of the primary invasive plant species on Thetis Island. Holly has deep, aggressive roots and can tolerate sun and shade, as well as different soil types making it a serious problem for native species and can suppress the natural regeneration of forest trees over time. In response, ThINC is organizing a holly removal party next weekend: Saturday, March 11th and Sunday, March 12th between 10am - 2pm. 

To help protect Fairyslipper Forest from the creep of holly, join us for one or both days or even a couple hours. The more help we get, the more we can pull!  We will be meeting at the Fairyslipper parking lot at 10 am both days. Bring gloves, pruning or pulling contraptions (broom pullers work wonders on these feisty plants!), and a lunch if you intend to stay the duration.

If you plan on coming, please let me know at charlotte@thetisislandnatureconservancy.org

Thank you,

Charlotte