Landscape Analysis
Function & Flow
I often hear, 'I don't know where to begin' ! This is when observation is key. Take stock of all that is already available to work with, (usually more than you realize) and pair it with goals for the site.
My joy matched my challenges as I launched into a new landscape in 2019. Compacted slope, erosion, precious water running off into the ditch. In typical Permaculture language , the problem became the solution! I set out to transform the dry scrambling driveway into productive garden beds.
Did I mention compacted? While working almost full time in Vancouver, my days were limited when I could really make progress on the Gambier site. What I did have access to whenever I was there, was a lot of forest debris. At the time, I had not yet purchased my beloved chipper, so layering plenty of cardboard, decomposing branches, wood chips, seaweed and later leaves, the first berm began. The following spring we were rewarded with Morels, springing up all along the edge of the berm. The fun had begun with natural fungal activity and the first step in retaining moisture in the system.
Morels fruiting along the edge of a new berm
Soil building
Creating the right habitat
I love plants, all kinds, and I constantly consider how to accommodate the needs of each plant. When observing the landscape, it becomes apparent that seasonal variations in light change the growing conditions and will create various micro climates. Also, different substrates will reflect or absorb heat and therefore, moisture. In my Gambier garden restoration project, (after slowing water flow and erosion) my priority has been to increase the quantity and diversity of organic matter overall. This means collecting leaves, cardboard and seaweed. It means keeping bio mass in the zone. The entire area is showing more vitality now as organic matter contributes to moisture retention and healthy microbial activity. The worms, so abundant and the birds plentiful and active! The system is growing.
Challenges arise in this naturally wild environment that is home to slugs and deer. This has lead to my strategy of container planting until each area is fully prepared for a permanent installation. I am a 'chop and drop' gardener. The invasive species surrounding my planting areas, blackberry canes and all kinds of woody debris are used as mulch to nurture the fungi that speeds decomposition for the invertebrates and microbes. Gradually the balance is in favour of selected plants and the transition is picking up momentum. The bright and sunny native Eriophyllum lanatum is thriving on a dry fully exposed slope. My initial application of mulch worked into the compacted soil aided sufficiently to hold moisture, but still drain well.I am propagating native plants that are best suited to thrive in this particular habitat and will support the native pollinators and insects. Sometimes this can mean plants will be eaten or damaged. See PDF List for Diversity with Native Plants
Native planting of Eriophyllum lanatum
StreamKeepers ~ Water is Life
Cha7elkwnech Gambier Island, BC Atl'ka7tsem
2024 was my year for water exploration.
I take great pleasure in seeing my rain barrels fill, full and later drained when gravity fed hoses deliver this precious commodity to my desired destination. This has become routine for me and even when it is not peak growing season, I can be found creating waterworks that direct, saturate and recharge every zone of land that I am caring for. In addition to getting into the water more last year, (both in and out of the kayak,) I also got into the flow of "Streamkeeping". My vibrant introduction was hosted by Howe Sound Biosphere and presented by ZoAnn Morten of the Pacific Stream Streamkeepers Federation. She led us in a 2 day immersion through multiple data collection modules. We learned a lot of geographical vocabulary. How to observe, measure and assess the health and viability of a stream with regards to supporting fish and maintaining superior habitat for them.
Since then I have been involved in several field days targeting streams on Cha7elkwnech. This is part of an important conservation initiative to gather data on fish bearing creeks that have had no previous statistics or information collected as to determine their current status. An increase in human activity, on Gambier, like so many other sensitive areas has had a huge impact on this marine ecosystem.
Assorted fingerlings from McDonald Creek, Gambier Island 2024
making mulch
Forest Fuel Conversion
Clearing, chipping and composting organic material is an ecological way to transform the accumulation of combustible material into a valuable product. It is standard practice to burn yard waste, branches, blackberry vines and forest debris. I see this as a resource not waste and if treated as such can be developed further to increase microbial activity spinning straw into gold. Composting debris in larger piles creates more heat and better quality mulch. The finished product could be sold to the Community cheaper than transporting new material in by barge . It is also a better practice than bringing in poor quality soil and possibly introducing new organisms/invasive seeds with it to Gambier. Late in 2024, I started on my project that was selected and funded by GICA (Gambier Island Community Association) through a grant from BC Government's Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP). I'm starting off small with my personal chipper, but my goal is to create a model that could be expanded to a larger Community event and possibly aid in the purchase of an Industrial chipper, making regular forest cleaning a sustainable service and reducing risk of fire. I am monitoring the Fungal/Bacterial ratio as it composts from the newly processed ramial chips to aged mulch and in comparison to a food waste basted compost that could also be part of an exciting Island project to transform waste. Read more about microBiometer
chip forest debris and invasives into compost