By carefully mapping the ecosystems and plant communities throughout the islands, we can determine where rare ecosystems are present and which areas are most threatened by development. We can all then focus our time and money on those ecosystems in greatest need of protection.

In addition to the PDF maps on this page, you can explore mapping layers through the Mapping page.

Eelgrass Inventory Maps

Eelgrass beds are important nurseries for young fish and are home to many invertebrate species such as sea slugs and sea stars. Also known as seagrass meadows, these areas stabilize sediment, store remarkable amounts of carbon, and support high biodiversity. All species of salmon depend on eelgrass beds at some point in their life cycle.

Islands Trust has created 2 eelgrass mapping products.

In 2022, eelgrass areas were identified and mapped using low altitude, high resolution aerial imagery (collected by helicopter in 2018, 2020, and 2021 in different parts of the Islands Trust Area). This mapping defines the shape and position of each area of eelgrass bed, also known as an eelgrass meadow, and also characterizes the density of plants in each area. This eelgrass bed mapping can be viewed using the interactive Islands Trust MapIT web map application, and the methods used are described in the Shoreline Polygon Mapping Summary Report: Eelgrass in the Islands Trust Area.

Nearshore Eelgrass Inventory Final Report, 2012-14: Between 2012 and 2014, eelgrass beds were mapped for the entire Islands Trust Area using towed underwater cameras in partnership with SeaChange Conservation Society and Seagrass Conservation Working Group. This inventory surveyed coastlines by boat using an underwater towed camera, and mapped the eelgrass areas, identifying the type and density. These data were used to create Eelgrass Presence Maps (PDF) for each Local Trust Area (see below). Special thank you to those organizations who provided funding and support for the project, including the Pacific Salmon Foundation, the Victoria Foundation, Greater Victoria Savings and Credit Union, Comox Valley Regional District, Capital Regional District, Metro Vancouver, the Mayne Island Conservancy Society and the Galiano Conservancy Association.

Bull Kelp Inventory Maps

Bull kelp forms thick beds along coastlines in semi-exposed areas throughout the Salish Sea. Particularly dense areas are known as ‘kelp forests’, providing protection or food for many creatures such as rockfish, shrimp, seals, Great Blue Herons, cormorants, and more. The long floating blades, or leaves, at the ocean surface create a sheltering canopy just like the upper tree branches in a forest on land.

In 2022, bull kelp areas were identified and mapped using low altitude, high resolution aerial imagery (collected by helicopter in 2018, 2020, and 2021 in different parts of the Islands Trust Area). This mapping defines the shape and position of each area of bull kelp, and also characterizes the density of plants in each area. This bull kelp mapping can be viewed using the interactive Islands Trust MapIT web map application, and the methods used are described in the Shoreline Polygon Mapping Summary Report: Bull Kelp in the Islands Trust Area.

Forage Fish Spawning Habitat Maps

In 2013 – 2019, the Islands Trust Conservancy contracted assessment of beaches on Denman, Hornby, Thetis, Gambier, Keats, Bowen, North and South Pender, Valdes, Salt Spring, Wallace, Galiano, Lasqueti, Sidney, and James islands for habitat suitable for forage fish spawning.

Please note that on May 31, 2018, the former Islands Trust Fund and Trust Fund Board legally became the Islands Trust Conservancy. Old maps will continue to display the old name, but provisions of the legislation ensure the legal continuity of the Islands Trust Fund and Trust Fund Board as the Islands Trust Conservancy.

Local Trust Areas/Bowen Island Ecosystem Inventory Maps

Ballenas-Winchelsea

Galiano

Gambier

Hornby

Lasqueti

Mayne

Thetis

Sensitive Ecosystem Maps

Islands Trust Sensitive Ecosystem Mapping is based on Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping created by Islands Trust Conservancy, the Province of British Columbia and Parks Canada. Reports for the Coastal Douglas-fir area and Salt Spring Island are available from the Province’s Ecological Reports Catalogue. Parks Canada reports must be acquired from Parks Canada. Islands Trust reports include:

The Sensitive Ecosystem Maps (PDFs) were created in 2001-2007. In 2017, Islands Trust acquired new imagery (2014) and updated our terrestrial ecosystems mapping and sensitive ecosystem mapping layers. The PDF Sensitive Ecosystem Maps were not updated.