Mission Statement:
Gambier Island Conservancy is dedicated to:
developing appropriate management strategies to preserve
and restore Gambier's biological diversity and
enhancing and sharing knowledge of it's ecosystems
Mount Artaban Nature Reserve: a profile of a Special Place
Reprinted from fall edition of the Islands Trust Fund Newsletter: "The Heron"
 Under blue summer skies, the Mount Artaban Nature Reserve filled with pride as Gambier islanders gathered recently to celebrate the grand opening of the newly protected area. The ceremony was a landmark event for the community and the Gambier Island Conservancy, who led the funding campaign to protect the mountain.
"With many of the fundraising campaign's key contributors present, the grand opening was as much a tribute to the community's spirit and vision as it was a celebration of the natural legacy created by the protection of the mountain," said Christine Torgrimson, Chair of the Trust Fund Board. "Due to the outstanding generosity of private individuals, businesses, local governments and community groups, the permanent protection of Mount Artaban will forever be a reality. "
The highlight of the day's event was a hike to the mountain's summit. The celebrants, aged 11 months to more than 70 years, enthusiastically made the 614-metre climb to the top of Mount Artaban where stories were shared about the history of the mountain's protection. The demanding climb to the peak was a fitting way to commemorate the community's long journey to protect Mount Artaban.
For the Islands Trust Fund, the journey to preserve Mount Artaban doesn't end here. The habitats we protect depend on us to maintain them into the future. Mount Artaban Nature Reserve is home to old-growth trees, a wetland, several at-risk plant communities and a source of clean water for the surrounding community and aquatic habitats below. With the help of the community, the Islands Trust Fund recently completed a management plan for the property, which sets out the best methods to preserve these features for the future. The Islands Trust Fund is grateful to islanders for not only helping with acquisition campaigns on the islands, but also for the help and local knowledge they provide in the management of our properties. Together, we can work to ensure the ecosystem values we all worked so hard to protect will continue to delight generations to come, through effective stewardship and care.
Those interested in learning more about the management of the Mount Artaban Nature Reserve can view the management plan online at: www.islandstrustfund.bc.ca/mgmtplans.cfm
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