Upcoming Groundwater Discussions and Information Meetings

Hello fellow Islanders, here are two events that provide information on groundwater issues. The first event is more regional, while the second event will focus on issues important to Thetis Island. 

Event #1 (webinar)

Islands Trust Webinar March 5th

Join us for an upcoming webinar on Groundwater Conservation and Saltwater Intrusion in the Islands Trust Area on March 5, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Sign up to attend the webinar here:
https://islandstrust.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TE6SqnUKTKWB1ytOQP-8-w#/registration

Water is a precious resource on the islands, and conserving it is essential to maintaining healthy ecosystems and sustainable communities. In the Islands Trust Area, many residents rely on groundwater, but coastal aquifers face a unique challenge—saltwater intrusion.

The risk of saltwater intrusion is of special concern for coastal aquifers, and the likelihood of saltwater intrusion in groundwater wells increases with pumping demand and from coastal hazards such as rising sea levels and storm surges.

This webinar will explore the factors contributing to saltwater intrusion, its potential impacts, and practical steps residents can take to protect their groundwater.

Event #2 (community discussion)

The Nature of Water Project 2025

Saturday March 22, 2025
2-5 pm Forbes Hall
Ground water is not something we can take for granted. We currently have hundreds of wells drawing from the aquifer(s) below our island. How sustainable is our water supply? How does changes in precipitation patterns affect replenishment? What can we do to be more water smart? These are just some of the questions that the meeting will be addressing.

On Saturday March 22nd CCR and ThINC are launching The Nature of Water Project 2025. The event will feature a discussion of our project, a short film What the Water Tells Us, and keynote address Dinosaur Pee and the Future of Thetis Island's Water by David Slade.

In addition we ask that you look for the survey in the upcoming Thetis Island Quarterly where residents are asked to pick the water related topics they are most interested in. Paper copies of the survey and a drop box are also available in the foyer of Forbes Hall. The survey can be filled out and submitted at:
https:/bit.ly/thetiswater

For more information please contact: ccr@thetisisland.net.
CCR Group

Queens on the Loose!

Spring has arrived and so have the queen wasps and hornets! These royal troublemakers are waking up, house-hunting, and scouting for food to build their buzzing empires.

We can prevent massive colonies from developing. Set out a wasp/hornet trap now!

Grab a pre-packaged trap or DIY one using a plastic bottle. Use protein-based bait like chicken, fish, ham, canned tuna, cat food, eggs, or cheese. This is because in early spring, queens need high-protein food to fuel their bodies and feed their first batch of larvae.

In late summer, when the queens stop laying, the workers seek sugar and become more aggressive. At this point switch to sweet bait like soda, fruit juice, or overripe fruit.

Sandy

Soup’s On: Wednesday, March 5

11:30 am until 1:00 pm
Gather at Forbes Hall for a very Thetis Island lunch...

Menu:
Bean and Bacon Soup GF
Bean and Veggie Soup GF vegetarian
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Assorted Home Baked Goodies
Coffee/ Tea

Suggested donation of $7 for soup, bread, treats and teas & coffee.

For those who find large groups challenging, enjoy your lunch in our designated quiet room, the Boardroom.

Everyone is welcome to join us, seniors, seniors who don’t think they’re seniors, workers, families, and everyone who just wants a mid-day meal!

Menu remainders for take-out when available. Soup’s On also supports the Thetis Island Food Pantry.

Coupon Booklets of 10 for your convenience, $70.00

The Soup’s On Team

Invasive Species Removal at Fairyslipper Forest – Join Us!

Hello Thetis Islanders,

It's that time again! Volunteers are invited to join us for ThINC's Annual Invasive Plant Removal weekend on Saturday March 8th and/or Sunday March 9th between 10am and 2pm. We'll be concentrating on removing broom under the power lines and along North Cove Road adjacent to the Fairyslipper Forest Nature Reserve. Meet at the parking lot (across from The Portal). The more hands we have, the more we can accomplish! Please bring gloves, pruning tools, and a lunch if you plan to stay for the duration.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at charlotte@thetisislandnatureconservancy.org.

Thanks so much for your support!
Charlotte - ThINC Education and Stewardship Coordinator

Blue Cottage Bread

CLASSIC SOURDOUGH
Sea salt rosemary baguettes
Available today (Sunday) at Telegraph Harbour Marina Café

Open at 9:30 AM
Tracy

Brand New Ladies tall Sturdy Rubber Black Garden Boots for Sale

Rather than return these boots that arrived too big for me, is there someone who might like them? I ordered size 8 but they would fit a size 9 easily. I paid $40 for them.

Thank you.

Nan Beals 250-246-4944 or text 250-246-4000

Total Lunar Eclipse March 13

Global Event: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/total-lunar-eclipse.html

Local Type:  Total Lunar Eclipse in Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Begins:        Thu, Mar 13, 2025 at 8:57 pm

Maximum:   Thu, Mar 13, 2025 at 11:58 pm 1.178 Magnitude

Ends: Fri, Mar 14, 2025 at 3:00 am

Duration:    6 hours, 3 minutes

Jeannine

Dock Float found on the West Side of Thetis

If anyone is missing a dock float, I just recovered this one floating down the west side of Thetis Island. It measures 2' x 2' x 8' looks to be made out of rubber and probably foam inside.

If it's yours, you can email me at cassels@shaw.ca 

Cheers

Alan Cassels

One Month Left...

Yard Waste and Campfire burn permits are not required until APRIL 1st. But you still have to check the Venting Index to see if smoke ejection into our airshed is allowed for the day you wish to ignite your burn pile.

Evening campfires do not need to check the venting index.

Fire Chief J. Caldbeck
Thetis Island Vol. Fire Dept.

From the Library

A Friend of the Library is available Saturday 10-1, Sunday 1-4 and Tuesday 12-1.                    

Celine

Sunday Church

The speaker this Sunday the 2nd is David Banks.
Continuing the series on the Holy Spirit.

10 AM at the Community Centre, all are welcome.
Further info---Ernie 250-252-0144

February Rain

February 2025: 138.2 mm
February 2024: 91.8 mm
Average February: 104.6 mm

February 2025 YTD: 195.9 mm
February 2024 YTD: 368.3 mm
Average Year to Date: 277.8 mm

Lowest February; 48 mm in 2009
Highest February; 179 mm in 2014

Keith Rush