S,DÁYES Flycatcher Forest

S,DÁYES Flycatcher Forest is a 13 acre conservation property located on S,DÁYES (Pender Island) , WSÁNEĆ Territory.

Photo by Alex Harris /
Raincoast Conservation Foundation.

The campaign to protect S,DÁYES Flycatcher Forest

In November 2020, Raincoast partnered with the Pender Islands Conservancy to co-purchase a conservation property on S,DÁYES. Despite planning for a six-month fundraising campaign, we secured the required purchase amount in less than three months.

Behind the name: S,DÁYES Flycatcher Forest

Globally, bird populations are in significant decline.1 2 Olive-sided Flycatchers are among the bird species federally listed as threatened, predominantly due to habitat loss. These birds, in particular, find their homes in the fringes of forests bordering wetlands, and these interface ecosystems on the Gulf Islands are among the few places these birds are thriving. As a species linking forests and wetlands, the Flycatcher was chosen as the land’s namesake. 

Though the Flycatcher was chosen to symbolize the importance of preserving intact habitat, the placename, S,DÁYES, recognizes the WSÁNEĆ people who have known Pender Islands as home since time immemorial. In SENĆOŦEN, S,DÁYES means “wind drying,” which refers to drying salmon.3 This was the name given to what is now widely known as North Pender Island prior to settler arrival in the area.

About the land

S,DÁYES Flycatcher Forest is populated by an assemblage of ecosystems characteristic to the Coastal Douglas-fir zone. It is part of the Shingle Creek wildlife corridor, which also includes land protected within Parks Canada’s Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. The forest shows a legacy of logging, as most forests across the Gulf Islands do, with large fir stumps standing as evidence of the mature forest that once occupied this regenerating system.

Today, maturing Western redcedar and coastal Douglas-fir trees dominate the forest’s canopy, while stands of peeling arbutus occupy the higher elevation slopes at the property’s edges. A forested swamp, now colloquially known as Muskrat Pond, at the north-western corner of the property supports populations of riparian plant species including oceanspray, bigleaf maple, and red alder. Over 50 bird, 4 bat, and a number of amphibian species, including iconic Pacific chorus frogs, call S,DÁYES Flycatcher Forest home. 

Support restoration work

The future

S,DÁYES Flycatcher Forest is the first property purchased by Raincoast with the intention of healing the land and securing its long-term protection with a conservation covenant. Raincoast is working with our property co-owners, the Pender Islands Conservancy,  to develop a management and restoration plan for the land. Once a management plan is established, we will register a covenant on the land title. Active restoration and education projects are often underway at S,DÁYES Flycatcher Forest, which to date have included native species planting, removing invasive species (particularly Daphne laurel), and creating a native plant meadow. 

donate towards restoration

This campaign was made possible due to the  support of many individuals and organizations, including:

  • Greater Victoria Savings Credit Union
  • Sitka Foundation
  • McLean Foundation
  • Pollinator Partnership
  • Habitat Conservation Trust Fund

Sponsors & supporters

  • Sitka Foundation logo.
  • The McLean Foundation logo.
  • GVSCU Legacy Foundation logo.
  • Public Conservation Assistance Fund logo.
  • Pollinator Partnership logo.
Three women on the beach with a boat in the background.
Events

Expedition with Indigenous women in the Salish Sea – request for applications

We are currently accepting applications from Indigenous people (specifically women, two-spirit and femme-identifying) to join us on board Raincoast’s education and research vessel, Achiever for a five-day expedition.
A large number of fishing boats squeeze into a small area off the coast of Alaska.
Investigate and inform

The Gauntlet, a salmon story foretold

World Fish Migration Day celebrates the wonders of migratory fish and raises awareness of the many obstacles that can prevent them from reaching destinations in the rivers and the spawning grounds they seek.
Many salmon swim by as seen from below in the green blue light of the sun.
Conservation updates

Fisheries management and Canada’s Wild Salmon Policy

There is no question that fisheries management presents complex biological, economic, and political challenges. 
Yellow flower growing out of moss
Conservation updates

Local businesses and entrepreneurs are helping advance the KELÁ_EKE Kingfisher Forest protection campaign

Small local businesses and entrepreneurs have been significant supporters.
Moss and lichen on the forest floor.
Investigate and inform

The story of Coastal Douglas-fir forests: The role of education, curiosity, and exploration in conservation

According to Parks Canada social scientist, Stephanie Coulson, rebuilding relationships between humans and place is essential to establishing a culture of conservation.
Cheslea Greer in the field wearing a Raincoast hat.
Raincoast updates

Meet Chelsea Greer, Raincoast’s Wolf Conservation Program Coordinator

Chelsea Greer joined our team part time in 2020, while completing a master’s degree in Geography, and full time in spring of 2022! Chelsea brings a wealth of experience in animal behaviour, ethics, and conservation science. We posed some questions to her to get to know more about the skills she brings and what drew…
Cedar branch in a forest.
Conservation updates

Developing a management plan for S,DÁYES Flycatcher Forest

we are seeking public input to inform the management and restoration plan for this property as a first step in developing the stewardship ethos that will govern this forest for generations.
Heavily grazed understory with a deer eating grass.
Investigate and inform

The story of Coastal Douglas-fir forests: Disruption of the trophic cascade

Since non-Indigenous settlement, both top predators and fire have been functionally eradicated from Coastal Douglas-fir ecological communities while populations of both invasive and native deer species have been ballooning throughout the range.

Notes and references

  1.  BirdLife. (2022). State of the world’s birds 2022: Insights and solutions for the biodiversity crisis. https://www.birdlife.org/papers-reports/state-of-the-worlds-birds-2022/
  2.  Rosenberg, K.V et. al (2019). Decline of the North American avifauna. Science, 366. 120–124. https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/bring-birds-back/
  3. Elliot, D. (1990). Saltwater people: As told by Dave Elliot Sr. School District 63 (Saanich): Victoria, BC.