PRESS RELEASE: Prairies of Victoria continue to disappear, focus of conservation efforts for nonprofit
HAT Staff and volunteers admiring the native wildflowers in the Garry Oak ecosystem at Matson Conservation Area in Esquimalt.
For Immediate Release
March 31, 2023
Press Release for Prairie-Oak Stewardship Project
TITLE: Prairies of Victoria continue to disappear, focus of conservation efforts for nonprofit
March 31, 2023 | W̱SÁNEĆ and lək̓ʷəŋən territories (Victoria, BC)
Usually, the word prairie brings about visions of bison and sweeping grasslands in the Canadian Prairie provinces, but did you know Victoria developed over 95% of the local prairie meadowscapes?
That’s why local conservation nonprofit Habitat Acquisition Trust has launched a new land stewardship project hoping to garner more attention from the general public about the past and present importance of the prairies.
A landscape of many names, these unique natural prairie-like features are also referred to as Garry oak ecosystems, prairie-oak meadows, coastal oakscapes, oak-savannahs, ḰȽO,ELENEȻ by SENĆOŦEN speaking peoples, and many more.
How much prairie was there in the region?
In 2006, the Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team concluded that between 1 to 5 percent of these oak meadow areas are left after two centuries of agriculture, development, and colonialism. GOERT experts estimated that of the original 15,249 hectares (~37,681 acres) of prairie, only 1,589 remained. For meadows in deep soils, there was an estimated 175 hectares left of the original 12,009 hectares before European settlement.
Now considered an endangered ecosystem in Canada, over 100 species of birds, pollinators, mammals, and plants that depend on these prairies are officially listed as “at risk” of extinction - disappearing forever. Some like the Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly and the Western Meadowlark once called this place home, but they too have already been lost to lack of meadow habitat in our region.
“Due to the lack of endangered species legislation or other legal protection in BC, these endangered plants, animals, and their habitats continue to be scraped off the surface of this region with little to no consequence,” says Paige Erickson-McGee, Program Manager at HAT. “It can be hard to stomach for those who know the importance of these spaces, knowing there is only 1 or 2 percent left.”
That’s why these prairies are the primary focus for Habitat Acquisition Trust staff, hoping to bring attention back to these landscapes with help from dozens of botanists, ecologists, restoration specialists, and Indigenous knowledge keepers.
“This project is a long time coming, and only possible thanks to the dedicated work of many passionate individuals before us who laid the groundwork. We continue to collaborate with those experts and knowledge keepers to ensure we can be successful in this work,” said Paige.
“These areas coincide with the spaces people choose to live and recreate. We need to learn how to live in a way that leaves room for these endangered spaces to thrive with us,” explains Katie Blake, Executive Director at HAT.
While it is often referred to as the singular Garry oak ecosystem, there are actually several different prairie habitats to discover, each with an incredibly diverse suite of plants and animals. From wet prairie to oak savannah to mixed oak and conifer woodlands, they are defined by their openness and the presence (or absence) of certain plants. These are only found in the Pacific Northwest.
The plants associated with these prairies have a unique ability to thrive in drought-stricken summers and wet winters, making them an ideal choice for any local gardener wishing to save water and are a powerful option to increase our individual and regional climate resilience.
The project is part of their award-winning Good Neighbours to Nature Program running since 2003. A locally focused certification program teaching landowners how to understand and care for nature in their backyards and neighbourhoods.
“Through our Good Neighbours Program, we intend to empower stewards of key prairie areas through hands-on training, community-based outreach, and providing resources to those who need them” said Ronna Woudstra, Stewardship Coordinator at HAT.
So where does the 1% of prairie reside now?
“In people’s backyards,” Paige mentions. “We estimate that over 80% of the remaining prairies are on private land. Those last patches are why we are starting to work with landowners in specific areas of the region through surveys, site visits, and training events or workshops.”
“It can be challenging for residents to know where to start,” Paige continues. “One place to begin is to show up and listen. Go to events and workshops, and thoughtfully listen to the Indigenous communities and individuals who are sharing their knowledge and experience about these important cultural landscapes.”
HAT Team member ŚW̱,XELOSELWET Tiffany Joseph shares the importance of stewardship work of these ecosystems in her community: “Stewardship activities of meadowscapes with HAT has brought excitement to our local W̱SÁNEĆ communities to build our capacity with invasive removals and helping create biodiversity of foods, medicines, and animal habitat within our territory.”
As residents in this beautiful region, we can all strive to respectfully acknowledge the immense significance of these habitats as cultural landscapes to all the Indigenous communities in the region. These are not just meadows, and we recognize and greatly appreciate the ongoing efforts by Indigenous communities to reclaim and restore these ecosystems from colonial and ecological destruction.
That is why it is important now more than ever, to learn about these unique ecosystems, and to protect and restore every inch we have left.
As part of the program, HAT will continue to host free workshops, trainings, and events for the public to learn more about prairie ecosystems and their importance.
Upcoming HAT & partners events to learn more include:
Wednesday April 12 10am to 2pm: SX̱ÁNEȽ New Moon Celebration and Restoration Day with Tiffany Joseph and Parks Canada at SMONEĆTEN (10740 McDonald Park Rd, North Saanich)
Thursday April 13 9am to 3pm: Restoring the Land at SṈIDȻEȽ with PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ (Wallace Drive, Gowlland Tod Park)
Sunday April 23 10am to 1pm: Earth Day Weekend Restoration Event at Oak Haven Park with the District of Central Saanich. Family Friendly!
Friday April 28 10am to 2pm: W̱S͸ḴEM Ivy Project (Healing the Place of Clay) with Sarah Jim
To learn more or sign up for events above, visit https://hat.bc.ca/volunteer/#volunteer-opportunities
Upcoming HAT & Partner Workshops to build skills include:
Invasive Yellow Flag Iris Removal in Ponds and Wet Meadows Workshops (2 dates)
Tuesday April 11 9am to 12pm
Wednesday April 12 9am to 12pm
sign up: https://hat.bc.ca/yfi-workshop
Native Plant Salvage Training and Orientation Workshop in Langford (2 sessions)
Saturday April 29 10 to 1130am
Saturday April 29 12 to 130pm
For more information, resources, and other organizations working on conserving and restoring Oak and Prairie Areas, visit https://hat.bc.ca/oaks
This project was made possible by our funders: Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Victoria Foundation, Vancouver Foundation, Metchosin Foundation, Heritage BC, the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, BC Conservation & Biodiversity Award, and many others found on our website, as well as private donations from individuals like you.
To support HAT’s oak project or other local conservation initiatives, visit https://hat.bc.ca/donate
For any questions relating to local habitat conservation, email hatmail@hat.bc.ca or call 250-995-2428.
