Ruby Alton Nature Reserve Caretaker Duties

The Ruby Alton house is on the shores of Fulford Harbour, on 1.6 ha (4 acres) of lovely gardens and seclusion provided by surrounding forest. The two bedroom house is well insulated and equipped with a state-of-the art rainwater catchment system. There are two sources of wood heat, as well as a forced-air oil furnace.

The Islands Trust Fund (a non-profit land-trust) received this property from the estate of Ruby Alton in 2002. Ruby also provided an endowment to assist with the cost of maintaining the property. The endowment generates about $3000 per year, barely enough to cover insurance and routine maintenance, and not nearly enough to cover the high costs of painting, roofing, or water and septic systems. The Islands Trust Fund also receives occasional grants from the Salt Spring Island Foundation and other private donors for special projects to enhance the house and grounds.

The Islands Trust Fund can not make a profit from the house, nor can it sell the house on the real estate market, nor can it use taxpayer money to support it, nor can the house be used for commercial purposes (according to Ruby's Will). Accordingly, the house needs its caretaker to pay enough rent to cover the balance of the costs of keeping the house warm, dry, safe and attractive. Any surplus funds have to be banked for longer term projects such as roofing and exterior painting (needed soon), and upgrading the septic system, which cannot support more than one or two residents.

The amount of effort you are willing to exert in maintaining the house, grounds and water system will be reflected in the amount of rent you pay. The more services you provide (avoiding the cost of contractors), the less you pay.

Being a caretaker at the Ruby Alton Nature Reserve requires a love of rustic rural living and many practical skills.

Islands Trust Fund will provide / is responsible for:

• Property insurance
• Fridge, stove and chest freezer
• Front-loading washer and dryer
• Lawnmower, weed-whacker, gas cans and most other yard tools
• Parts and labour for repairs to appliances and water system
• Drinking water testing
• Annual tree pruning
• Annual chimney cleaning
• Septic pumping
• Major repairs and emergencies

 

Caretaker is responsible for:

• Contents insurance for their own possessions
• Wood supply for wood stove and fireplace insert
• Fuel oil for furnace
• Gas and oil for lawnmower and weed-whacker
• Phone and internet
• Electricity
• Garbage
• Bottled water (if purified rainwater is not to your taste)
• Trucked water (if your demand exceeds rainwater supply)
• Pest control
• Friendly reception of occasional public visitors to the site
• Regular communication with the landlord about the state of the house and grounds and the time spent providing caretaking services

 

Mandatory caretaker services include:

• Keeping the interior and exterior of the house and grounds clean and safe
• Maintaining the grounds and gardens (mowing, weed-whacking)
• Maintaining the public path to the beach
• Maintaining the moving parts of the rainwater catchment system
• Keeping all tools in good working order and protecting them from theft

 

Optional caretaker services that can be used to reduce the rent include:

• Cleaning roof, gutters and water tanks associated with rainwater collection
• Maintaining creek water intake and distribution
• Maintaining the fence and gate
• Minor repairs to interior or exterior of house
• Painting
• Carpentry
• Repairs to tools and appliances
• Project management