Thank you to everyone who participated in this invasive blackberry & broom removal:
Aaron, Abhimanyu, Ava, Caitlin, Chloe, Ciara, Damian, Gary, Isidora, Jeremy, Judy, Marita, Mike, Muen, Rob, Sachin, Shotaro, Sunny, Tara, Taremwa, Tyler and Willow!
There was a light drizzle, but we still had a great time together making a positive impact at Murray’s Pond Park.
Impacts
- 22 people were engaged in this activity
- 70 hours were contributed towards restoring local habitat
- Participants came from all over the Greater Victoria area including: Cowichan, Metchosin, Saanich, Victoria, and locally in Colwood. Our activities are designed to foster a sense of community that transcend municipal borders. By engaging community members from all around Greater Victoria, community members realize that they are part of a larger, interconnected community and that we all have a responsibility of creating a cleaner, healthier environment regardless of where we call home.
- 14 participants visited Murray’s Pond Park for the first time
- 5 participants removed invasive plants for the first time
- 6 cubic metres (37 bathtubs) of invasive Himalayan blackberry and Scotch Broom were removed
- 100 square metres of habitat revitalized
What Participants Said
Highlights
- We had a great day working together to improve the habitat and increase biodiversity in this park located in the heart of Royal Bay!
- With a constantly changing mix of sun, rain, and cloud, we were lucky enough to see 3 different rainbows appear overhead over the course of the day!
- Murray’s Pond Park has undergone enhancements with the development of the Royal Bay neighbourhood and features a beautiful walking trail and viewing platform. The pond in the park was created many years ago from a piece of melted glacier. You can learn more about this park and the pond on the City of Colwood’s website here
- Many passersby enjoying the trail through the park thanked us for our work – it was a great way to connect with even more of the community!
- During a break from the hard work, community members enjoyed: home made brownies, granola bars, fresh strawberries, oranges, apples, cucumbers, carrots, warm tea & juice
- We built on our previous work at this park! Check out previous summaries from our activities earlier this year: Oct 9, 2024, Sept 25, 2024, July 7 2024
- Community members learned about the importance of ongoing ecological restoration.
Community Investment Partner & Sponsor
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!
We sincerely thank our sponsor, GableCraft Homes 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 twice as many activities in this area, increasing community engagement & education and improving the health of the greenspaces in Royal Bay!
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: Blume, Gathering Place, Myni, & Green Beaver for providing their health focused products to our community participants to take home. These businesses have 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 Viloka. 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 behavior 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 Happen!
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.
At the forefront is Kaitlin Warren, the Program Manager for the Greater Victoria Green Team, whose vision drives our efforts. She’s supported by Viloka Luna, our Partnerships Manager, ensuring every aspect runs smoothly behind the scenes. Together, they’re not just making plans; they’re building a brighter, greener future for our community.