Media release
For immediate release

 

Saanich, BC – To celebrate the Saanich Parks Department’s 60^th anniversary, crews and community members will plant 60 Garry oak trees in eight Saanich parks.

The celebration kicks off on September 26, 2018–National Tree Day. Parks staff, along with Pulling Together Volunteers and the North Quadra Community Association, will plant 15 trees and 60 Camas bulbs in the Garry oak meadow at Bruce Hutchison Park. The public is invited to join the fun.

Activities include a demonstration of how to plant, mulch and cage a tree as well as serving cake and coffee to participants.

• Date: Wednesday, September 26 2018
• Time: 12 to 1:30 p.m.
• Where: Bruce Hutchinson Park (off Rogers Ave near Rogers Way)
• What to bring: clothes suitable for planting, including gloves/boots and a small shovel or spade

The remaining trees will be planted at a future date in Falaise, Layritz, Camrose, Braefoot, Glanford, Konukson and Cedar Hill Parks. Garry oak trees were chosen as they are a native species with both a natural and cultural significance. These trees and their habitat have been the focus of restoration efforts by staff and volunteer groups alike.

“Supporting forests in Saanich—in this case the urban forest—helps contribute to our environmental integrity and climate change resilience,” said Senior Parks Manager Eva Riccius. “We appreciate our Pulling Together volunteers who help restore the Garry oak ecosystems in our parks. This project is a result of collaboration and dedicated work by the community.”

Garry oak meadows play an important role in supporting a variety native plant and animal species. They were once fairly common on southeastern Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Fraser Valley. In British Columbia today, Garry oak meadows occupy only about three per cent of their former area, having been replaced by development and agriculture.

Garry oaks are significant in indigenous culture and more recently the distinctive Garry oak leaf was included in the District of Saanich’s coat-of-arms.

A reminder to participants that this is a residential neighbourhood with very limited roadside parking. The park is accessible by transit, walking and biking. 

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Media contact: 

Eva Riccius, Senior Manager, Parks
eva.riccius@saanich.ca
250-475-5494 ext. 5523