Greenways Land Trust

Last week, we recorded over 600 smolts at the fish fence on Simms Creek, and later shot this video of happy salmon jumping for joy in the Willow Creek estuary. It was a big movement day before some big rains! 🌎

This week, our Executive Director and Habitat Management Coordinator surveyed our eelgrass planting sites in the Campbell River #ybl estuary to scout signs of recovery. Eelgrass beds are vital habitat for juvenile salmon and a host of other invertebrates and organisms. 🌎 🐟 #vancouverisland #vanisle

A milk crate full of gleaned pears from our backyard gleaning program, wet with rain.

A former Greenways board member, Bruce, smiles while removing a tire from Kingfisher Creek. A volunteer from Naturally Pacific Resort holds a thumbs up above his head, holding a garbage bag.

Greenways volunteers Chuck and Ray assemble a nest box for our Western Screech-owl conservation project.

Greenways' Keely stands beside our table at a community invasive species removal event.

Now that our AGM is over and done with, our secret war plans* are now live on our website!

*our 2023-24 Annual Report and Financials...

www.greenwaystrust.ca/reports-and-...

Our year in emojis: 🌎🐟🐣🦟🦆🦦🦇🦉🧠📖👩‍🏫🍎🍐🥕🍅🍓🌳🌲🛥️🌦️🦺💪⛏️🧺🇨🇦

This week, our Executive Director and Habitat Management Coordinator surveyed our eelgrass planting sites in the Campbell River #ybl estuary to scout signs of recovery. Eelgrass beds are vital habitat for juvenile salmon and a host of other invertebrates and organisms. 🌎 🐟 #vancouverisland #vanisle

Thank you kindly!

A close-up of flowering Henderson's checkermallow, which is a key component of the Red-listed Tufted hairgrass-Henderson's checkermallow Ecosystem.

Want to be part of an amazing group working on restoration, conservation, education, and food security in Campbell River #ybl? Get in touch! We’d love to hear from you: info@greenwaystrust.ca

Greenways' director Laurel, Executive Director Katie, and Habitat Management Coordinator Camille, smiling against a window.

We’re excited to welcome our new board directors: Joan Bakker, Stephen Neff, Rebecca Taylor, and Paddy Zyla! Looking forward to a great year ahead.

Greenways' Camille and Jeff smile for the camera.

Special thanks to Jean Imbeault, Rob MacKenzie, and Derek Seifert for their hard work and dedication as volunteers, and to outgoing director Bruce Izard for his contributions to Greenways.

Greenways' President Linda Nagle addresses the AGM crowd.

We also celebrated our incredible volunteers with the Woodpecker Awards! This year, we recognized Bob Dice, Janis La Couvée, Katherine Dolmage, and Tammy Myers for their service as board directors.

North Island College's Rhianna Nagel presented on her mariculture research. She stands at the front of a seated crowd with hands clasped, a projection screen behind her reads "Collaborative Mariculture Research and Innovation in Coastal BC"

Our guest speaker, Rhianna Nagel from NIC’s Centre for Applied Research, shared insights on seaweed and shellfish sectors in coastal BC, and how collaborative research supports restoration, economic development, and cultural revitalization.

Greenways' Woodpecker Awards Winners: Katherine Dolmage, Janis La Couvée, Derek Seifert, Bob Dice, and Rob MacKenzie.

Last week, we held our Annual General Meeting—and we managed to make it not boring! We had trivia, snacks, and staff presentations on all the amazing things we worked on last fiscal year.

Greenways' Stewardship Coordinator poses holding invasive Himalayan blackberry at an invasive species removal site in a local park on the foreshore.

By paying a living wage, we not only help retain top talent but also create economic stability in our local communities, strengthening the impact of our collective work.

When we invest in our people, we create lasting change for both the land and the communities we serve.

#LivingWageBC

Greenways Conservation Technician sits at the helm of a boat in golden morning light.

The nonprofit sector is facing challenges—recent reports show that nearly 40% of nonprofit employees leave their roles within the first five years, with financial stress being a major contributing factor, (2024 Nonprofit Employment Practices Survey by The Nonprofit Times).

Greenways' Education Coordinator in a yellow rain jacket carries potted native species to be planted by local school groups. He is smiling.

By providing a living wage, we help level the playing field, enabling a more diverse workforce and promoting a culture where all voices are valued and heard.

Greenways' Executive Director and a Summer Conservation Crew member check on Purple martin nest boxes in the Campbell River estuary.

Increased wages also support diversity, equity, and inclusion by making nonprofit careers more accessible to individuals from a variety of backgrounds, especially those who face systemic financial barriers.

Greenways' Outreach & Food Security Coordinator sits in a boat with other food security partners on a grey day in the waters near Kyuquot, BC.

By offering equitable pay, we aim to foster a healthier, more motivated team who can focus on the mission without the stress of financial instability. A living wage leads to stronger job satisfaction, reduced burnout, lower staff turnover, and a deeper commitment to the work we do.

Greenways' Habitat Management Coordinator, Stewardship Coordinator, and Executive Director stand near the Raven Trail and Mill Pond project sites in the late winter sunshine, holding a decal that reads "Living Wage Employer."

Greenways Land Trust is officially a Living Wage Employer!

At Greenways, we believe in not just protecting the land, but also supporting the people who protect it. Paying a living wage is essential for ensuring our dedicated employees can thrive in both their personal and professional lives.

Greenways canning workshop volunteers learned how to safely can garden produce last fall.

Greenways Fruit Tree Project harvests fruit from backyard trees to donate to local food security partners.

Greenways community garden members "grow a row" of veggies to donate to the Campbell River Food Bank. Food Bank usage is way up lately across Canada and Campbell River.

Goumi berries harvest last summer from one of our demonstrating permaculture food forests.

Looking to source more local food? The Campbell River Food Map connects you with local farms, markets, and producers. Eat fresh, support community farmers, and help build a more resilient food system.
👉https://www.strathcona-chn.net/library/campbell-river-food-map/
#foodsecurity #permaculture

The U.S. exports $32 billion in agricultural products to Canada each year, including grains, baked goods, and produce, reports Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada: agriculture.canada.ca/en/internati...

The U.S. supplies half of Canada's fruit, nut, and vegetable imports by value, according to York University: foodpolicyforcanada.info.yorku.ca/backgrounder.... Buying local reduces reliance on long supply chains and supports community farmers.

What produce does Canada import? How the US, Mexico and other countries supply the Canadian market - Beyond Find out where your food comes from and what’s grown locally in Canada and BC with this interactive map

About 50% of vegetables (excluding potatoes) and 75% of fruit eaten in Canada are imported, according to UBC research: beyond.ubc.ca/what-produce...

The community garden greenhouse at Nuchatlaht First Nation in October 2024.

The Nuchatlaht First Nation community garden had ripe strawberries and figs growing in October last year!

💚 Where does your food come from? Check out the Campbell River Food Map to buy local! (link below)
🇨🇦 Are you trying to buy Canadian food these days with the threat of incoming tariffs from the US? It is hard to know exactly which foods are Canadian and which are imported into Canada.

@greenwayslandtrust.bsky.social
wow! southgate grade 6/7 finished off spring mulching at willow creek.the pile was 6 yards. really enjoy working with kids with buckets running in all directions. thks derek seifert. out of the box teacher

Beauty!

it's Invasive Species Week - we can all do our part, even an hour here and there for a Broom Pull or a planting event like TD Tree Day. Every community on Vancouver Island has a group doing conservation work like @greenwayslandtrust.bsky.social in Campbell River. #InvSpWk

🌎

📍 Meeting Point: Elk Falls Provincial Park main parking lot
⏳ Trail: Old Growth Loop (accessible sections noted in map)
🚻 Washrooms available
🥾 Bring water & sturdy shoes
🔗 Trail map: nrs.objectstore.gov.bc.ca/kuwyyf/elk_f...

See you there! 🌿

Questions? Get in touch at kyle@greenwaystrust.ca

Before our hike, we’ll tour the Campbell River Hydroelectric Facilities Discovery Centre, where Tom Kennedy will guide us through the history of the Campbell River Watershed & how its dams impact the ecosystem. Expect breathtaking views of Elk Falls along the way! 🌊🌿

Join the Greenways Nature Club! Accessible & informative nature outings around Campbell River. Get in touch with us kyle@greenwaystrust.ca

🌲 Hello, watershed wanderers! Join Greenways Nature Club for an unforgettable trek through Elk Falls Provincial Park on Tuesday, Feb 25 at 10:30 AM! We’ll visit two massive old growth trees—one 58m tall with an eagle’s nest & another 70m tall! Details below #CampbellRiverBC

Greenways Membership levels:

Student - $10
Individual - $20
Family - $30
Multi-year (3 years) - $50
Multi-year Family (3 years) - $75
Corporate - $100

Head to our website to buy your membership here: www.greenwaystrust.ca/membership/