On Sunday, October 16th the Greater Victoria Green Team gathered at Esquimalt Gorge Park to plant native trees and shrubs and remove invasive species threatening their native rivals. Our efforts were coordinated by park staff and Esquimalt’s Manager of Parks and Facilities Rick Daykin. Together our 23 volunteers planted ~30 plants including Big Leaf Maple, Shore Pine, Douglas Fir, Bitter Cherry, Garry Oak, and Snow Berry and removed 2 cubic meters of invasive Himalayan Blackberry and Thistle covering an area of 200 metres.
THANK YOU
Thank you to our volunteers: Tiago, Carmina, Shauna, Tala, Peter, Kim, Tom, Valerie, Anu, Guy, Karen, Barbara, Andre, Barb, Meagan, Carilia, Bretty, Emily, Morgan, Zenen, Vanessa, David, and Meagan!
Thank you to the Township of Esquimalt for continuing to support and contribute to GVGT programs and to Esquimalt Gorge Park for facilitating this incredible opportunity for community members to be apart of!
Photo Albums from the day are found here: 1st Session & 2nd Session
Group Photos!
Highlights
- In total 23 GVGT volunteers came out to plant approximately 30 native plants and shrubs and remove 2 cubic metres of invasive plant matter covering an area of 200 square metres.
- 9 people were introduced to Esquimalt Gorge Park and 17 people had never planted native trees and shrubs!
- Volunteers reported feeling welcomed and appreciated as well as safe and left feeling accomplished.
- Thank you to our in-kind sponsors who donated thank you gifts to our community: EarthRated dog poop bags, tea lights from Honey Candles, Lush hard perfume and West Coast Seeds.
Participant Quotes
I feel the program builds strong community and connection to space. When people plant trees, they will go back to the park and see those trees and want to protect them. Community members will meet other like minded individuals to continue the work of conservation.
It’s nice to be around people who don’t mind working outside in the rain! I also really enjoy learning more about conservation, and as someone coming from a music and psych background, it is really nice to learn to be a better steward of the land.
This program has a very positive impact on the community. It is a way for people to get out and socialize and help communities with their green programs/initiatives.
Emily was awesome. She gave great instruction and made me feel included and involved. The parks staff were great as well.
Friendly and welcoming staff; like that you do a territory acknowledgement; appreciated learning a bit about planting trees; enjoyed working with my hands; enjoyed chatting with others; liked contributing to community and doing positive things for the environment.
