When SILT was established in 1997, there was no protected land on Savary Island.

Today, 43% of the Island is Protected.

SILT is a non-profit registered charity that works to acquire conservation land, care for it, and share knowledge about nature on Savary. We believe in clean water, wildlife, wilderness, access to greenspace, and the power of community.

In numbers, this looks like:

  • more than 350 acres in the Heart of Savary Island stewarded by The Nature Trust of BC as a direct result of SILT advocacy, fundraising and collaboration with The Friends of Savary Island over nearly 30 years.

  • $1.6 million dollars raised by SILT for the acquisition of the Heart of Savary for the Nature Trust of BC.

  • 22 parcels (18.5 acres) of land stewarded by SILT.

  • 6 volunteer trustees who are seasoned professionals in the fields of marine and ecosystem biology, education, business, communication, parks and greenspace planning and environmental law.

  • Award-winning Executive Director with four Canadian conservation awards: 2013 - Land Trust Alliance of BC Outstanding Staff Award; 2013 - Land Trust Alliance of BC Fundraising Award; 2017 - 7th place Canada 150 Land Trust Honor Roll; 2018 - Nature Trust of BC Conservation Champion Award.

  • 26 years of nature advocacy, education, conservation and stewardship supported by donations, art auctions, SavaryStock, Farmers Markets, and relationship-building with government and Savary organizations.

  • 23 annual newsletters - a great way to see what we’ve been up to. Read them here.

Our Beginnings

We began with the goal of preserving the last undivided and undeveloped wilderness on Savary, District Lot 1375. These 350 acres, now known as the Heart of Savary, were under threat of development into a 90-unit gated community. Research determined that the land contained rare and endangered plants and plant communities and was one of the best examples of intact coastal dune ecology in Canada. It was, in fact, a national treasure. In 2018, after more than 22 years of work, the Heart of Savary was acquired by the Nature Trust of BC and preserved forever. You can read the whole story here.

WHere We’re HEaded

In 2019, the SILT established the ambitious goal to protect 50% of Savary Island. Rare, fragile and representative lands on Savary continue to drive our land acquisition efforts.

Why We DO IT

Savary Island is the most ecologically sensitive of all the Islands in the Salish Sea, and yet it is under the most pressure from potential development. In 1910 it was subdivided into 1700 small lots. For generations it remained mostly undeveloped, but the past thirty years have seen multiple building booms. In the last 10 years alone, development has doubled on Savary.  This makes preserving sensitive areas and green places in island neighbourhoods increasingly important.  We are very thankful for the visionary thinking of our land donors and all who contribute to the preservation of the island.  Together we are making a difference.

Find out how you can help here.