Thank you to everyone who participated in this invasive blackberry removal:
Abhimanyu, Amelia, Amy, Anais, Brandon, Chloe, Claire, Corbin, David, Helen, Isidora, John, Jonathan, Judy, Kaeliegh, Linda, Lucian, Mark, Mike, Octobre, Rhys, Shannon, Shreyash, Tamara, Tara, Tesla, Toshiki, Tristan, Tyler, Wayne, Yuhan, Yuhuan & a family of 4!
Community members gathered together to tackle invasive blackberry at Colwood Creek Park. Despite a light drizzle, spirits were high as participants worked together to restore this cherished green space.
Impacts
- Participants Engaged: 36, 13 of whom (40%) were under 30 years old
- First-Timers in Action: 14 participants (43%) had their first experience engaging in environmental stewardship
- New Connections to Nature: 17 participants (53%) visited Colwood Creek Park for the first time
- Hours Contributed: 110 hrs were contributed towards restoring local habitat
- Amount of invasive plants removed: 31 cubic metres (194 bathtubs) of invasive Himalayan blackberry were removed
- Square metres of habitat revitalized: 288
What Participants Said
Highlights
- Community Support: Passersbys stopped to thank us for our work, sharing how much they value the park and the restoration efforts. One even stopped to help us put up our tent!
- Diversity of Participants: It was a fun mix of first-timers and experienced community members! We had fun working together and learning and exploring the beautiful forest!
- Building on Success: This activity built upon previous invasive plant removal activities Colwood Creek Park, amplifying our collective impact on the ecosystem. Some of last few activities at Colwood Creek Park: Nov 5, 2023, Dec 2 2023, April 21 2024 & Sept 9 2024,
- Tasty Treats: participants were fuelled by delicious vegan homemade brownies sprinkled with crushed candy canes on top, homemade apple muffins, granola bars, mandarins, cucumbers, grapes, candy canes, chocolate kisses, juice, cinnamon tea and hot chocolate making the rainy day more enjoyable
- What was Learned: how to identify and remove invasive blackberry, how to identify native species, the importance of connecting to nature and to one another
- Special Shout-out: To all the community members who helped carrying our tools and supplies at the end of the activity. Also a thank you to Rhys for helping measure the pile of invasive blackberry!
Community Investment Partner
We are incredibly grateful to the City of Colwood for being a Community Investment Partner and providing financial support, ecological expertise, and guidance for this activity.
City of Colwood exemplifies forward-thinking leadership in creating a resilient, inclusive, and thriving community.
By partnering with the Greater Victoria Green Team, Colwood continues to champion impactful initiatives that strengthen biodiversity, foster community connections, and inspire future generations of environmental stewards.
In-Kind Support
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our in-kind supporters: Myni & Blume, for generously providing their health-focused products to our community participants. These businesses offer exceptional, sustainable products that promote responsible consumer choices.
Myni is dedicated to creating safe, eco-friendly, health-conscious products that support a sustainable lifestyle.
Blume creates a kinder wellness world with superfood-based products that celebrate all bodies, support progress over perfection, and promote kindness to both people and the planet.
If you’re interested in contributing in-kind or have ideas for potential partnerships, please contact Viloka. Your support makes a difference!
Why We Do This Work
The Greater Victoria Green Team is a proud program of the charity Green Teams of Canada, dedicated to connecting, empowering, and inspiring diverse communities through hands-on environmental action.
We believe in the transformative power of working together to care for our environment. Through activities like invasive plant removals, native tree and shrub plantings and litter clean-ups and more.., we empower individuals to take action while fostering a deep connection to nature and community.
Our approach prioritizes inclusivity and accessibility, welcoming people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. By engaging a previously untapped demographic—primarily young people aged 12-40—we inspire those who may not otherwise spend time outdoors to discover their passion for environmental stewardship.
Beyond improving natural habitats, our activities create lasting impacts on mental and physical health. Research shows that time spent outdoors reduces stress, enhances focus, and improves well-being. Participants develop life skills like teamwork, leadership, and critical thinking while gaining confidence in their ability to create meaningful change.
At the heart of our mission is a commitment to cultivating a lifelong environmental ethic. We aim to instill a sense of belonging and connection to place, empowering participants to see themselves as stewards of the environment and champions of sustainability.
Staff Who Made This Activity Happen!
Leading activities on the ground is Kaitlin Warren, Program Manager for the Greater Victoria Green Team, whose positive energy and passion for creating change inspire participants to take further action.
Supporting her is Viloka Luna, Partnerships Manager whose expertise in strategic and mutually beneficial partnership building ensures sustainable programming for our charity.
Together, Kaitlin and Viloka are fostering a community of environmental stewards and contributing to a brighter, greener future for all.