Naturally Salt Spring
Returning to her storytelling roots as the quirky science loving gal exploring our natural environment, Erica Hargreave reminds us of our connection to the land, water, and sky, as we explore the natural and cultural history of the world around us in this nature documentary series. As it’s never long before Erica makes friends, she is joined by the scientists, naturalists, historians and artists whose work is inspired by our natural spaces.
In Season 1 of Naturally Ours – Naturally Salt Spring, join Erica as she explores and makes new friends on Salt Spring Island around their mutual love of parks. Walk back in time to meet Salt Spring’s First Peoples pre-contact, visit BC’s oldest working farm that exemplifies the culture of sustainability that is Salt Spring Island, help Erica to hoot alongside one of the wise old creatures that has inspired so many local artisans, and join Erica in hugging and kissing a tree as she discovers the Islanders’ elixir to their youth and creativity.
Episode 1 – Connecting with Nature, Here on Salt Spring Island
In this first episode of Naturally Salt Spring, meet Cowichan Knowledge Keeper Hwiemtun and Geographer and Artist Briony Penn. Hwiemtun welcomes us to the Coast Salish Territory and shares the importance of connecting to the land, because as his Uncle reminds us, we are all Indigenous to somewhere in the world. This connection to the land and to nature is something Briony explores from the perspective of the member of a family who were settlers on Salt Spring Island and the need for reconciliation to move forward. “There’s a saying on this Island, ‘Don’t try and change Salt Spring, let Salt Spring change you.”
Episode 2 – Sustainable Footprint at Ruckle Heritage Farm
At BC’s oldest working farm, Ruckle Heritage Farm, we are met with beauty of place and a depth of understanding from farmer Mike Lane in ecosystems, carbon cycles and maintaining a sustainable footprint on Ruckle Heritage Farm that far exceeds that of many who study environmental sciences, thanks to Mike’s intimate familiarity with the land and the animals he cares for.
Episode 3 – Hooting Over Salt Spring Island’s Owls
Erica’s in a state of naturalist bliss as she discovers the owls of Salt Spring Island. The owl is beloved by many Salt Spring artists, including Aki Otsu at Salt Spring Wool Arts, who introduces Erica to his art. The night wouldn’t be complete though without a little owl prowl of her own with Glen Tremblay at Cusheon Lake, as Erica and Glen attempt to call a Barred Owl.
Episode 4 – Natural Healing on Salt Spring Island
In this episode of Naturally Salt Spring, Erica is in a state of relaxed bliss as she gets a little more intimate with the natural world on Salt Spring Island, thanks to Cornelia Krikke. Cornelia teaches Erica all about our connections with nature from meditating in trees to grounding in the Earth. Erica may even get a little carried away, sharing more than one kiss with a tree.