N2N Completed Projects

Saanich residents participating in the Neighbour to Neighbour (N2N) Resilience Initiative have completed projects that care for nature, take climate action, and improve emergency preparedness. Read about some of them below. 

Mystic Vale and Beyond: A Wildlife Corridor

A group of neighbours on and near Hobbs Street got together to remove invasive species
and plant native species on a public right of way near their homes in Cadboro Bay adjacent to the Mystic Vale property and got to know each other better as they restored a natural area. 

Hummingbird Helper

Hummingbird Helper’s tag-line is Humans helping humans helping hummers! Hummingbird Helper was developed in response to watching the impacts of climate change on the Anna’s hummingbirds who inhabit south Vancouver Island year-round; particularly, the humans’ challenges in supporting the birds through the winters and during the heat dome in 2021. The project goal is to mitigate that impact by increasing the number of feeders kept active through severe weather by supporting the humans who keep feeders. Hummingbirds are completely reliant on human intervention in the snow and cold, and in very hot weather hummingbirds (and all birds) need water sources, which the feeders provide if they are kept fresh and cool. The grant supported the purchase of hummingbird feeder heaters and other supplies as well as a newsletter distributed to approximately 50 homes in the neighbourhood of Falmouth, Easter and Savannah. New neighbourhood connections were built thanks to the project, and countless hummingbirds were helped. 

Browning Greenway

This project sought out to transform the entrance of the Browning Greenway at the end of Wordsworth Street which was covered with invasive species and dominated by Himalayan Blackberry and English Ivy. Volunteers from the neighbourhood removed invasives, built up the soil, and planted several native shrubs and plants. As they grow, the native species will flourish and be a much more attractive and appropriate way to enter the greenway and will support local pollinators. While working on the project, neighbours got to know each other better and talked with many passers-by who offered their thanks for the restoration work. 

Going Greener Homes Tour

This project was a walking tour of green initiatives that neighbors in the Quadra Cedar Hill neighbourhood undertook to make their homes more climate sustainable and lessen their carbon footprint. The five sites focused on either solar arrays, heat pumps, energy conservation, heat loss prevention and evaluation, e bikes / e cars and urban food farming. Demonstrations and conversations with owner took place at each site and we estimate that between 40 and 60 attendees visited each site. We also had a booth at Saanich's Earth day celebrations advertising our event for a week later and gave out packets of micro greens with instructions on how to grow them. These were a big hit with the kids and their parents were interested in Saanich's free tree program for boulevard planting. 

 

Bowker Creek Biodiversity Day

Bowker Creek Biodiversity Day aimed to raise awareness, educate, and communicate a vision for a healthier future for Bowker Creek and the Bowker Creek watershed. it featured presentations focused on nature-based learning and family-oriented activities on the south field of Lansdowne South Secondary School, with Bowker Creek in the immediate vicinity. Information about climate action and emergency preparedness were also shared by community partners. Displays, crafts, and games were designed to share the vision of the Biodiversity Corridor and to demonstrate how supporting the creek and watershed benefits the neighbourhood and community. There were a total of 13 community partner organizations involved, 23 community volunteers and over 275 visitors. 

Restoring the Pimlott Place Forest

Approximately 20 neighbours (representing all households the our cul-de-sac) came out to help with invasives removal, planting of native plants from Satinflower nursery, bird house building and painting (kids), and spreading mulch and wood chips to improve a pathway at Pimlott Place. Adding to the fun, and appetizer potluck was held with lots of conversation and laughs. 

The project organizer shared the following reflections: 

Emergency Preparedness:

People were grateful to build connections and get to know each other better, and we are talking about holding more gatherings in the coming months. We were able to chat about topics and concerns of shared interest, learn more about each others’ backgrounds, and had fun getting to know younger and older family members. We spoke about how we would be comfortable relying on each other in a potential emergency, and that neighbourhood gatherings are an important part of keeping our connection strong.

Climate Action

One of the goals of the project was to remove a large amount of yard waste (grass clippings, leaves) that was building up in the forest. There was concern that this could be a potential forest fire risk in the face of a changing climate. It felt reassuring to remove this material from the forest, and hope that the no dumping signs keep the area free of yard waste into the future.

Care for nature

We were happy about the amount of blackberry and ivy we removed from the forest, and it felt great to plant and mulch native plants. The kids also had fun building and decorating bird houses, which we hope will draw more birds to the forest. Everyone in the cul de sac also got the message that the forest is not a good place to dump yard waste.