Water quality is an area we see as one of our major stewardship responsibilities. The heavy livestock use of the lakefront pasture, in the past, had resulted in significant erosion and pollution problems. Restricted grazing in this area has been very successful in reversing the erosion and has allowed the amazing diversity of plant and wildlife to flourish along the shore.

We have been voluntarily participating, since 1991, in a community based water monitoring programme which regularly tests water in key areas on the island, including Gunflint Lake and our creek. The water is also tested regularly by the Ministry of Health to ensure it meets health standards for the school.

Operating in conjunction with the Ministry of Fish and Wildlife since 1992, Linnaea has worked on rehabilitating the primary creek in its watershed. The goal of this on-going work is to improve water quality for numerous downstream water users and to create a healthy population of rare, native cut-throat trout so that stock from this system can be used to restock lakes on Vancouver Island. Linnaea has provided the labour for this project, installing digger dams, logs, and gravel to improve the fish habitat, and re-vegetating the stream side area with native plants. The project is also used as an educational tool for working with students from the elementary school, garden programme, and permaculture courses, as well as with other island residents.