Thank you so much Greater Victoria Green Team participants for your hard work and enthusiasm:
Adam, Angel, Angelina, Avery, Bennett, Caroline, Chloe, Dasoni, Dmytro, Emiko, Hana, Hinata, Leia, Moromi, Nathan, Navpreet, Otone, Owen, Rafael, Raphael, Rei, Rina, Romy, Rosanna, Serhii, Shane, Shelby, Siyu, Stephan, Tesla and Urara
It was a beautiful blue sky day to get together & make a positive impact on the environment!
Impacts
- 31 community members engaged
- 8 people removed invasive plants for the first time
- 16 people visited Murray’s Pond Park for the first time
- 95 hours contributed to habitat restoration
- 11 cubic metres (about 68 bathtubs) of Himalayan blackberry and Scotch Broom removed
Highlights
- This was the final of five activities run at Murray’s Pond Park this year! Read summaries of previous activities in this park below:
- Community members joined us from across the Greater Victoria region including from Colwood, Saanich, Victoria, View Royal, Oak Bay and Langford
- Our activities are designed to foster a sense of community that extends beyond municipal borders. By engaging community members from across the region, we are reminded that we are part of a larger, interconnected community and have a shared responsibility of creating a cleaner, healthier environment regardless of where we call home!
- When we asked participants about their fave outdoor hobbies we heard: hiking, basketball, volleyball, cycling, baking & walks in nature
- Stephan rode his bicycle to this activity
- Angel helped set up in the morning – Thank you!
- Nathan & Shelby helped with setting up snacks – much appreciated
- Thank you Leia for helping organize the tools
- Otone & Adam got our direction arrows, thanks
- Our snacks included: Sugar cookies in the shape of English Ivy, tomatoes, melon, pineapple, bananas, brownies, mandarins, popcorn, granola bars
- We had blue sky and sun. It was a lovely fall day!
What Community Members Said
Video of Bennett talking about connecting to community & helping the environment
Video of Avery talking about meeting new people while working outside
Video of Angelina & Shelby talking about learning about invasive species and helping the environment
Community Investment Partner & Sponsor
We sincerely thank our sponsor, PATH Developments for their financial support, which have made a significant impact on both our community members and the environment!
Through this sponsorship we have been able to host additional activities in the Royal Bay area of Colwood, increasing community engagement & education and improving the health of the greenspaces in Royal Bay!
We sincerely thank the City of Colwood for their ecological expertise and guidance for this activity.
Together we are creating opportunities for community members to come together, connect with each other and nature, and take care of the environment!
In-Kind Support
A big thank you to our in-kind supporters for donating products to show appreciation for our community members:
- LUSH for sharing their eco-friendly personal care products such as body scrubs, body wash and lotions
This Canadian business has wonderful, sustainable products that support more responsible consumer choices!
If you’re interested in contributing in-kind or have ideas for potential partnerships, please contact Kaitlin. Your support makes a difference!
Why We Do This Work
The Greater Victoria Green Team is a program of the charity Green Teams of Canada.
We believe in the transformative power of hands-on environmental activities to empower individuals and strengthen communities.
Through initiatives like invasive plant removals, tree plantings, and litter clean-ups, we not only foster connections among participants but also deepen their relationship with nature. Spending time outdoors has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety while enhancing mood, focus, and overall mental and physical health.
Our activities are designed to be inclusive, welcoming individuals of all backgrounds, ages, abilities, and skill levels.
What sets us apart is we attract a wide mix of young community members who may not otherwise spend time outside, igniting their passion for nature and environmental care.
We are committed to instilling an environmental ethic that leads to lasting behaviour change. We aim to create a sense of belonging and connection to place, encouraging participants to recognize their ability to make a meaningful impact.
Together, we can all make a difference. Join us as we build a brighter, greener future for everyone!
Staff Who Made This Activity Possible
Our dedicated team is passionate about creating engaging, high-quality activities that foster a sense of belonging, connection to nature while raising environmental awareness. We strive to make a positive impact on our environment and to build a thriving community that cares for it.
This activity was run by Green Teams of Canada’s Founder and Executive Director, Lyda.
Partnerships Manager, Kaitlin Warren, supported this activity behind the scenes.