Invasive Species Removal in Porcher Park, Langford – October 28, 2023
Highlights From The Day
- 18 amazing members of the community joined us and contributed about 55 volunteer hours!
- Thank you to everyone for participating: Aiden, Alonso, Becca, Cynthia, Elle, Evelyn, Fernanda, Hannah, Josh, Kiran, Kris, Mark, Mary, Rhianedd, Tallia, Tristan, Vincenza, and Wanda!
- Together our team:
- Removed a volume of 15 cubic metres (approximately 94 bathtubs full) of invasive plant material!
- Revitalized about 170 square metres of the park!
- Scroll down to see before and after photos, as well as some in-action shots!
- All ages, backgrounds, and experience levels were engaged including families, returning Green Team volunteers, and first-timers!
- 5 people removed invasive plants for the first time
- 9 people were introduced to this park through this activity
Our Community Investment Partner, the City of Langford, provided direction and funding to make this activity possible!
Before & After Photos
Why Do We Do This Work?
The Greater Victoria Green Team organizes hands-on educational activities that have a positive environmental impact to empower people. Through activities such as invasive plant removals, plantings, litter cleanups and more, we are fostering connections with others and nature so that health and well-being is prioritized, lifelong environmental stewardship is promoted, and community members are enabled to take care of themselves, each other and the places they live. We all have the power to make a difference!
By being out in nature doing something positive as a team, our community members:
- Develop a sense of belonging to community and place
- Have improved mental and physical health
- Connect to nature, which leads to environmentally responsible behaviour
- Learn about local environmental issues and actions they can take
- Learn the value of bringing together people to work towards a common goal
- Become leaders in their communities
- Increase confidence, resilience and perseverance
Partner For This Activity
A big thank you to the City of Langford Parks Department for partnering with our charity, Green Teams of Canada and providing the financial support and direction to make this activity possible!
Thank you for recognizing the importance of collaboration in community engagement and ecological restoration! Together we are restoring habitat and creating connected, healthy and resilient communities engaged in environmental stewardship!
Learn more about City of Langford Parks and how to become more involved with them on their website.
We will be returning to Porcher Park again on November 18th for our last Langford activity of the year to continue our restoration efforts in this park. SIGN UP ON OUR MEETUP PAGE HERE!
Engaging with City of Langford Council Members!
Thank you so much City of Langford Councillors Mark and Mary for joining us today! We really appreciate your support and had such a great time getting to know you!
It’s always great to see council members out in the community and participating in environmental stewardship!
Community In Action!
What Participants are Saying…
“You can really see the difference in Porcher Park. It feels great knowing there is going to be a park for people to enjoy. It also feels great to get rid of invasive plants so that native plants can grow there. I’m really glad there is an organization that does this kind of thing.”
Vincenza
“Holy smokes, what better way to improve mental health? Sense of community, feelings of accomplishment/pride in city/sense of stewardship, laughter, cooperation, chit-chat, fresh air, exercise, being in nature. I think people learn to look after their environment – what should be growing there and what shouldn’t. I heard someone say that after getting involved with these sessions she pulls out Scotch broom sprouts now when she walks her dog!”
Cynthia
“I felt like we really were able to make progress on restoring the park, and therefore improving the neighbourhood. I like to think that once we’re done the local community will enjoy having a new green space and appreciate all the work that has gone into it. I also think that it makes an impact on those of us who volunteered by helping us feel like a part of something bigger. It feela good to help out a bit while also spending time outside with good people.”
Kris
Thank you to the fantastic local eco-friendly business LUSH that donated In-kind products for our hard-working community members to take home!
Our community members took home a thank you gift from one of our in-kind supporters! If you have any suggestions for sustainable/eco-friendly rewards, know of or own a business who would like to provide in-kind to our Green Team, please contact Kaitlin at kaitlin@greenteamscanada.ca
Our Staff
This activity was run by our Program Coordinator, Severine (far right)!