The Staff and Board of Island Nature Trust wish to extend their condolences to the family of John Sylvester, a gifted photographer who captured the beauty of our Island’s ecosystems. John was an ardent supporter of the Trust and his photographs inspired a connection to the natural heritage of Prince Edward Island to all those who saw them.
Through his lens, John captured the magic of Island landscapes, and his work was published regularly in books, calendars, and magazines. In a press release by Acorn Press in 2009 for his book, Wild Island: Prince Edward Island’s Hidden Wilderness, was the following paragraph:
“This is not a guidebook to natural areas, but a portrait of the diversity and beauty of what remains. In an attempt to save and protect the “wild things” that are left, the book will inspire readers to explore Prince Edward Island’s natural areas for themselves and support the cause of natural areas conservation. To that end, a portion of the royalties are being donated to The Island Nature Trust, a conservation group that for thirty years has worked tirelessly to protect the Island’s remaining natural communities.”
Thank you, John, for your generosity of spirit, your incredible photographs and your commitment to ‘wild things’. Your legacy of images and philanthropy will not be forgotten. We are grateful for your sustained support of Island Nature Trust and we send our condolences to your loved ones.
Did you know that John’s photograph of a canola field in Manitoba was featured as one of only thirteen designs to represent Canada’s provinces and territories for Canada’s 150th anniversary?
Latest Articles
- Seeing the Importance of Forest Features on Agricultural Lands
During the 2025 field season, thanks to Forested Landscape Priority Place (FLPP) funding, Island Nature Trust was able to look at the importance of forested features on agricultural lands, specifically in terms of our local avian… Read more: Seeing the Importance of Forest Features on Agricultural Lands - Analysis of a Surveyor’s Fieldbooks Tells Us a Lot About the Island’s Pre-settlement Forests
A brief summary of Dr. Doug Sobey‘s (Research Associate of the Institute of Island Studies at UPEI) most recent work, the analysis of the fieldbooks of Alexander Anderson, the surveyor for Prince County from the 1830s… Read more: Analysis of a Surveyor’s Fieldbooks Tells Us a Lot About the Island’s Pre-settlement Forests - To Our Volunteers: Thank You
This year has been an impactful and exciting one for our volunteer Guardian program. Many new Guardians joined a steadfast and committed group of existing volunteers, who continue to be of invaluable support to us. - Jumpstarting Forest Regeneration
The majority of Island forests from tip to tip have had some degree of human disturbance, whether that be past agricultural use, intensive forest harvesting cycles, or habitat-altering plantations. These historic disturbances impact a forest’s natural… Read more: Jumpstarting Forest Regeneration - McNeill Family Donates Land to Honor Parents and Their Family LegacyThe McNeill family of Days Corner, PE, has made a generous 80 acre donation of land on the Ellis River. This property, which lies just outside of Wellington, is an ecological hotspot, with over a kilometer… Read more: McNeill Family Donates Land to Honor Parents and Their Family Legacy
- The Importance of ConnectivityPrince Edward Island is a mosaic of small, privately owned parcels, with high road density and a history of deforestation for farmland. These factors have created fragmented habitat for wildlife in the remaining forest and wetlands,… Read more: The Importance of Connectivity
- Local Farmers Committed to Bobolink Conservation
The partnership between ALUS and Island Nature Trust has been one that has created a wonderful foundation for farmland bird conservation across Prince Edward Island. Local farmers are proving their commitment to wildlife by providing nesting… Read more: Local Farmers Committed to Bobolink Conservation - Remembering John SylvesterThe Staff and Board of Island Nature Trust wish to extend their condolences to the family of John Sylvester, a gifted photographer who captured the beauty of our Island’s ecosystems. John was an ardent supporter of… Read more: Remembering John Sylvester
- Portage Bog Natural Area ExpansionIsland Nature Trust is thrilled to announce the purchase and protection of 240 acres (97 hectares) of ecologically significant bog, salt marsh, and lowland forest that stretches from the Western Road to the Portage River in… Read more: Portage Bog Natural Area Expansion
Latest Articles
- Seeing the Importance of Forest Features on Agricultural LandsDuring the 2025 field season, thanks to Forested Landscape Priority Place (FLPP) funding, Island Nature Trust was able to look at the importance of forested features on agricultural lands, specifically in terms of our local avian… Read more: Seeing the Importance of Forest Features on Agricultural Lands
- Analysis of a Surveyor’s Fieldbooks Tells Us a Lot About the Island’s Pre-settlement ForestsA brief summary of Dr. Doug Sobey‘s (Research Associate of the Institute of Island Studies at UPEI) most recent work, the analysis of the fieldbooks of Alexander Anderson, the surveyor for Prince County from the 1830s… Read more: Analysis of a Surveyor’s Fieldbooks Tells Us a Lot About the Island’s Pre-settlement Forests
- To Our Volunteers: Thank YouThis year has been an impactful and exciting one for our volunteer Guardian program. Many new Guardians joined a steadfast and committed group of existing volunteers, who continue to be of invaluable support to us.
- Jumpstarting Forest RegenerationThe majority of Island forests from tip to tip have had some degree of human disturbance, whether that be past agricultural use, intensive forest harvesting cycles, or habitat-altering plantations. These historic disturbances impact a forest’s natural… Read more: Jumpstarting Forest Regeneration
- McNeill Family Donates Land to Honor Parents and Their Family LegacyThe McNeill family of Days Corner, PE, has made a generous 80 acre donation of land on the Ellis River. This property, which lies just outside of Wellington, is an ecological hotspot, with over a kilometer… Read more: McNeill Family Donates Land to Honor Parents and Their Family Legacy
- The Importance of ConnectivityPrince Edward Island is a mosaic of small, privately owned parcels, with high road density and a history of deforestation for farmland. These factors have created fragmented habitat for wildlife in the remaining forest and wetlands,… Read more: The Importance of Connectivity
- Local Farmers Committed to Bobolink ConservationThe partnership between ALUS and Island Nature Trust has been one that has created a wonderful foundation for farmland bird conservation across Prince Edward Island. Local farmers are proving their commitment to wildlife by providing nesting… Read more: Local Farmers Committed to Bobolink Conservation
- Remembering John SylvesterThe Staff and Board of Island Nature Trust wish to extend their condolences to the family of John Sylvester, a gifted photographer who captured the beauty of our Island’s ecosystems. John was an ardent supporter of… Read more: Remembering John Sylvester
- Portage Bog Natural Area ExpansionIsland Nature Trust is thrilled to announce the purchase and protection of 240 acres (97 hectares) of ecologically significant bog, salt marsh, and lowland forest that stretches from the Western Road to the Portage River in… Read more: Portage Bog Natural Area Expansion
