Volunteer Spotlight April 2019 - Kathleen Cathcart

Details: Created: Monday, 01 April 2019 16:45

Volunteer Spotlight April 2019 - Kathleen Cathcart

In this fourth Volunteer Spotlight of 2019, we'd like to highlight Kathleen Cathcart, a Habitat Restoration Volunteer! Kathleen was instrumental in the success of many of our restoration events, from coordinatin

g with volunteers, creating posters for events and assisting with HAT's Big Bat Bash, Kathleen has been a a huge help!

When we asked Kathleen what she liked best about volunteering with HAT and what first inspired her to begin volunteering with us, she had this to say:

"My favourite experience has to be the trip we did to Galiano Island to remove scotch broom. It was such a nice day over looking the cliffs down to the water. I couldn’t believe how much we removed that day. Hanging out with everyone on the ferry ride home watching the sunset is incredibly memorable.

I wanted to get involved with HAT because I was able to work closely with Wendy, the Habitat [Management] Coordinator, and I learned a lot from her about her job and how she goes about handling each project. I was also able to get some experience with some of the more urban restoration projects, like in the Matson Conservation Area in Esquimalt. I hope to bring this experience forward with me during my masters at SFU and BCIT in Ecological Restoration."

Thank you to Kathleen for your hard work and dedication to HAT, for contributing so much to our events and helping out where ever you can. We are so grateful for your support and hope that your experience will be a wonderful example to inspire others to get involved in volunteering with HAT.

...

If you'd like to volunteer with our any of our programs in 2019, be sure to watch for opportunities in the Volunteer Opportunities Section, below and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.!

Volunteer Spotlight March 2019 - Joanne Thomson

Details: Created: Wednesday, 06 March 2019 13:54

Volunteer Spotlight March 2019 - Joanne Thomson

Thomson Knockan Hill camas bloom watercolour on paper 11 X 14

In this, the third of 2019's Volunteer Spotlights, we'd like to highlight one of our most dedicated volunteers: Joanne Thomson. She is a phenomenal local artist whose work features beautiful depictions of the natural world. She has worked with schools in the community to create murals, colouring books and more. This year Joanne was instrumental in helping us conduct the Silent Auction at the Big Bat Bash, as well as creating wonderful bat colouring sheets for young children to colour during the event.

When we asked Joanne what her favourite experience with us has been so far and why she initially became a volunteer with HAT, she was happy to oblige, replying:

"It is difficult to come up with one experience of volunteering with HAT that has been the highlight. I have been volunteering with HAT for over a decade and find every experience to be enjoyable. I put my hand to everything as time allows, which is another way of saying sporadically. I have pulled broom, cut back blackberry, helped with events, donated products to silent auctions, made a model of a painted turtle (this may be a favourite), created ‘profile’ art work at a gala event. This year I will be creating a portable mural for Green Spots education and will be calling for adult volunteers to help paint it.

[I have] a desire to help to preserve wild places, and in particular the Garry Oak Meadows. I love the meadows and spend many hours in the Spring drawing the vistas and flowers. What has kept me involved is the philosophy of HAT and the dedication to working within its means. I feel confident that HAT will continue to be successful as time moves forward and that lands now protects will continue to be protected welling the future. Thank you for all the work you do and the vision that makes it all possible."

Thank you to Joanne for your hard work and dedication to HAT, for contributing your art to our events and helping us whereever you can. We are so grateful for your support and hope that your kind words and experience will inspire others to get involved in volunteering with HAT.

If you'd like to volunteer with our any of our programs in 2019, be sure to watch for opportunities in the Volunteer Opportunities Section of the Fern, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Volunteer Spotlight February 2019 - Margaret How

Details: Created: Wednesday, 06 March 2019 13:54

Volunteer Spotlight February 2019 - Margaret How

In this, the second of 2019's Volunteer Spotlights, we'd like to highlight one of our most dedicated volunteers: Margaret How. Margaret has been involved with our events for about five years! She is always keen to help with restoration activities, events and more! Time after time Margaret has demonstrated that her passion for nature and commitment to conservation is bottomless.

When we asked Margaret what her favourite experience with us has been so far and why she initially became a volunteer with HAT, she was happy to oblige, replying:

"I first started with HAT at Ruby Creek, Colleen Long of CRD Parks took me [there] and I was hooked. The group was amazing [and] that was about 5 years ago. You [at HAT] are lovely people to work with.

My favorite experience, well that is very difficult - [I] love working on Galiano. The area is spectacular. But Matson Lands is close to the heart as all the efforts there are showing off. Havenwood is a lovely challenge with the holly. I do enjoy a good dig. Well then there is Mount Matheson - [I] totally enjoy the progress and camaraderie there. What can one say about Camas Hill? Then there is all the Metchosin efforts - although the smoke was rough [this summer]. No one location can be selected. I just truly enjoy restoration efforts and the people you meet. Thank you for the honour."

Thank you to Margaret for all your hard work, and to all who have supported habitat restoration projects with HAT so far. We are ever grateful for your support and hope that your kind words and experience will inspire others to get involved in volunteering with HAT.

This article is an excerpt from the February edition of our monthly E-news, The Fern.

View February 2019 The Fern E-news.

Subscribe to The Fern E-news for more articles like these and to keep up to date on all of our activities and volunteer opportunities.

Volunteer Spotlight January 2019 - Estraven Lupino-Smith

Details: Created: Wednesday, 06 March 2019 13:54

Volunteer Spotlight January 2019 - Estraven Lupino-Smith

In this, the very first of 2019's Volunteer Spotlights, we'd like to highlight one of our bat-tastic volunteers - Estraven Lupino-Smith! Local artist and one serious "bat-vocate", they have shown time and time again their dedication and commitment to bat conservation. Estraven counted bats with us over the summer and also collaborated with us to help create our biggest batty event ever - the Big Bat Bash, for which they created an incredibly intricate bat art installation and a unique sound and video experience using real footage from the bats living in the attic at the Metchosin Community Hall.

When we asked Estraven what their favourite experience with us has been so far and why they initially became a volunteer with HAT, they enthusiastically replied:

"[Some of my favourite experiences] are being out at the Metchosin [Community] Hall meeting other enthusiastic bat counters and watching as many as 1200 bats emerge. It's a joy to watch them and see other people from young to old(er) share that wonder. Of course, the Big Bat Bash was absolutely awesome. I got involved because I wanted to partner with a conservation organization that was working on bats, and it seem[ed] like HAT was doing outstanding work with the bat count and beyond. It's been my pleasure to get to know the staff and other volunteers who make HAT a great place with successful programming."

Thank you to Estraven for all their hard work, and to all who have supported bat conservation with HAT so far. We are truly grateful for the support and hope that Estraven's experience will inspire others to get involved in bat conservation with HAT. If you'd like to volunteer with our bat program in 2019, be sure to watch for opportunities in our summer newsletters.

Estraven, HAT Executive Director Katie Blake, and HAT Stewardship Coordinator Paige Erickson-McGee were also interviewed by the Goldstream Gazette at our Big Bat Bash.

This article is an excerpt from the January edition of our monthly E-news, The Fern.

View January 2019 The Fern E-news.

Subscribe to The Fern E-news for more articles like these and to keep up to date on all of our activities and volunteer opportunities.