Volunteer Spotlight September 2019 - Karen Mann

Details

Created: Wednesday, 18 September 2019 13:28

In this September edition of HAT’s volunteer spotlight, we’d like to introduce you all to Karen Mann! Born and raised in Victoria, BC, Karen says that she has seen Greater Victoria change quickly, especially in the last 10 years. “We are losing all the little pockets of natural flora. I love that HAT facilitates the preservation natural areas.” It is that love local places and the more-than-human neighbours that share them with us that brought Karen to start volunteering with HAT about three years ago while looking for ways to use her knowledge and experience.

“I have worked with plants and soil‘s all my life and I’m certified in landscape design, currently working at LandStory Design Associates. Most recently I extend my education with Restoration of Natural Systems at University of Victoria. I have practical experience in stream restoration.” With that wealth of knowing, and with her passion for hiking with her dog, creating outdoor spaces that bring peace and serenity and learning about growing vegetables, we at HAT consider ourselves really lucky to have someone like Karen willing to spend some time on habitat management and restoration on the conservation areas that HAT stewards.

“I hope to continue learning until I die and this position here at HAT will help me explore areas I haven’t any experience in. I’m looking forward to learning from co-worker’s knowledge and their different ways of approaching problems.”

Ripping & Stripping at Havenwood

Details

Created: Wednesday, 11 September 2019 09:56

One of the best kept secrets in Colwood is a small park of 40 acres, on either sides of the Veteran Memorial Parkway near Latoria Road.  Most people might know the park as a great place to walk your dog or exercise going up the 90 steps and then back down as fast as you can.  One lady I talked to has to keep pebbles on one side to remember how many ups she has done.

Another activity in the park is on Friday mornings, when a small, dedicated team helps in the remediation of invasive species in the park.  This team has been meeting, come rain or shine, for over 5 years and have been removing the scotch broom, blackberries, daphne laurel and holly.   

Havenwood Park has two main trails and provides access to Lookout Lake. One of the smaller trails, the Olympic View Trail slopes upward to an incredible view point over the forest and across the Salish Sea to the Olympic Mountains in the distance.

If you want to join in the team fun of restoring the park all you just need about 2 hours of your time every Friday morning.  Everyone is welcome.  Contact us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

A Day on the Beach at Scia'new

Details

Created: Wednesday, 28 August 2019 16:27

In the first week of August HAT Staff had the honor of being invited once again out with the Scia’new First Nation Youth Field team for a day at the beach with elder Henry Chipps. Henry Chipps is not only full of wisdom about the land and its history, but he is also the resident archaeologist. With his guidance and knowledge he lead the youth though an archaeological dig where less than a foot beneath the soil the evidence of long term site use was uncovered once again.

It was an incredible day full of discoveries, conversation, salty water and sandy strawberries. It is such a pleasure to work with Youth out in nature and a great privilege to learn from a respected elder in the community. We look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Volunteer Spotlight July 2019 - Jenny Caws

Details

Created: Thursday, 15 August 2019 09:27

For the last four months Jenny has been volunteering her evenings and weekends for HAT’s Stewardship programs. Jenny is always up for learning new things, and has specifically been helping with nest box monitoring and data management for the Western Screech Owl Program. On top of all of this, Jenny is also a team leader for one of the groups working on the Summer Bat Survey, a program that is doing a great job with our nocturnal winged friends, and in outreaching to local communities. Jenny brings a wealth of knowledge about biology, wildlife conservation, and professional experience with a strong background in marine species of the Salish Sea. Her stellar worth ethic, passion for conservation, and dedication to any task is an inspiration to us at HAT. Thank you Jenny for joining us!