Remembering the life of Christopher Wootten

We recently learned the sad news of Chris Wootten passing on from his son Ed. Our condolences go out to the entire Wootten family for their loss. The Woottens have a long history in the Savary Island community and Chris was an important part of that. 

I had the real pleasure of meeting Chris Wootten when I first arrived on Savary in 1994. He was joyful, brilliant and a genuine lover of Savary Island. It was wonderful to know him and to collaborate with him to "Save Savary" when he was on the Savary Island Committee years ago. I spoke to Chris in 2018 when the Heart of Savary protection was finally realized. He was giddy with delight at the achievement. The last I heard from Chris was last fall.  He was full of encouraging words and support for everything that SILT has done for Savary.  

This is the full obituary where you can express condolences and share memories. Published in the Vancouver Sun and Province.

Greetings from Savary Island.  Calling all Savary geeks and nerds!

Savary Islanders love nature and greenspace according to the current OCP Vision Survey Summary Report and past surveys over the last 25 years. People have loved and enjoyed the beaches, forests, trails, animals, birds, sunsets, sunrises and the sanctuary of Savary for countless generations and hold these values close to the heart. Whether you are new to Savary or not there is always more to learn.

Are you a Savary Nerd? Here on the SILT website you can learn about your favourite place and what you can do to help steward and protect it.  Click here for the Savary Island Visitor Map. Building on Savary?  Click here for the Savary Island Best Practices Guide.

Interested in natural history, local history, native plants, conservation lands, erosion or geology? We have lots of research reports, maps, resources, links and newsletters for you!  Want to take a deep dive into the archive and find out the facts about Savary Click to read the: Savary Island Official Community Plan Background 1997 prepared by Golder & Associates.

Every greenspace protected on Savary reduces density and is a win for every single Savary Islander. SILT is a small organization and has achieved significant results in land conservation over the last 30 years by working with individuals and organizations who care.  It takes a community to save an island.  

Register for the next OCP Zoom meetings February 18, 19, and 20 here qathet.ca/savaryocp. And ask, What more can Savary do to protect nature and reduce density?

Warm wishes,

Liz Webster

Executive Director

Savary Island Land Trust Society

SILT installs interpretive signs, sharing information about three of our acre size parcels.

Our donors make it possible to acquire, protect and steward our 23 conservation lands on Savary Island. To learn more about these lands check out the https://savaryislandlandtrust.org/learn-about-silt-properties

Response to online misinformation about SILT’s role and interest in the qathet Regional District Community Plan

SILT is concerned that misunderstanding and misinformation has recently circulated online and has snowballed, and that members of the community have both attributed inaccurate positions to SILT, and attributed a role and influence to SILT in the OCP process, and with the qRD, that SILT does not have.

We want to reassure the community, and our supporters, that what we see circulating about SILT online is false and does not reflect our actions, mission, or our advocacy.

Please click here to read a complete response from the SILT Board of Directors.

Our Story

In 1995 a group of concerned Savary Islanders joined together with the goal to save the Heart of Savary - the last undivided and undeveloped wilderness on Savary - from becoming a gated community development. They established the Savary Island Land Trust Society in 1997. In 1998 SILT became a charity and received its first gifts of land. Since that time, SILT has acquired 23 lots across the island and nearly 43% of Savary is protected. Our successes are rooted in the vision of our founders, and the commitment of our donors, members, artists and volunteers.

We never lost sight of our first goal: the Heart of Savary. It took 22 years and the efforts and generosity of many islanders, the Friends of Savary, and SILT to raise the funds for the Nature Trust of BC to acquire the land for conservation in 2018. Thanks to each and everyone who helped and contributed to this community achievement.

Savary is the most ecologically rare and has the highest density of subdivision of any of the islands in the Salish Sea. Protecting wetlands, dunes, forests, meadows, springs and groundwater remain critical to the biodiversity and sustainability of the Island. In 2019, the Savary Island Nature Legacy Fund for land conservation was established with a gift from the Armstrong Family Foundation. Since that time, it has grown to $75,000. To donate click here.

To celebrate 25 years of SILT in 2022, we set up the the Savary Island Sustainability Fund. A donation to this fund will help SILT continue to protect nature on Savary, and offer stewardship education and activities to nurture a sense of place and connection for Savary Islanders now and into the future. To donate, please click here.

Savary Island is on the traditional territory of the Tla’amin, Klahoose and Homalco Nations.