Restoring Prairie-Oak Meadows at Matson Conservation Area
Nestled along the Victoria Harbour Waterfront, the Matson Conservation Area is a rare ecological gem in our region, and a powerful example of what community-led conservation can accomplish. HAT’s Matson Conservation Area is the largest remaining Prairie-Oak ecosystem on the Victoria Harbour Waterfront — an increasingly rare habitat that once stretched across the region prior to colonialization. Prairie-Oak ecosystems are first and foremost food systems, which are the result of Indigenous stewardship and cultivation since time immemorial. The Kwetlal (camas) food system that we now find in the Matson Conservation Area would not exist without the stewardship of the lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples. With so many other similar sites lost to urbanization, development, and neglect the importance of protecting and restoring Matson, and Prairie-Oak ecosystems like it, cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, years of dedicated restoration efforts have had their impact. What was once a landscape overrun by invasives such as Scotch Broom and Himalayan Blackberry is now being reclaimed by native species, revealing both the resilience of the land and the impact of sustained stewardship. This progress is thanks in large part to Habitat Acquisition Trust’s volunteer stewardship group, the Matson Mattocks, who have worked tirelessly over the past two decades to remove invasive species, restore biodiversity, and care for this vital natural space.
Formally protected in 2004 through an innovative and collaborative effort, Matson has become both a model of urban ecological restoration and an example of the ongoing challenges of carrying out this work in our modern work. The site holds not only environmental value, but also deep cultural significance for the lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples, who have stewarded these ecosystems since time immemorial. Today, less than 5% of Garry oak and associated ecosystems remain in BC, making every acre of restored habitat a crucial part of the region’s ecological future.
Visitors to the Matson Conservation Area can take in sweeping views of the Inner Harbour and Olympic Mountains, walk through native wildflower meadows on raised staircases that protect sensitive habitats, and observe birds like Purple Martins and Great Blue Herons within the Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary. But the real magic of Matson is its potential to be brought into being—a landscape still healing, still growing, and still calling for care.
Join us on April 12, 2025, for a hands-on Ecosystem Restoration Workshop at the Matson Conservation Area. This free event offers practical, on-the-ground training in invasive species management, including best practices tailored to our local ecosystems. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced land steward, you’ll walk away with tools to support restoration efforts—at Matson and beyond.
Register here (waitlist only): Eventbrite Link
📧 Questions? Email max@hat.bc.ca
🌱 With thanks to the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) and the Compost Education Centre for supporting this important work.
🔗 Visit Compost.bc.ca to learn more.
Restoring the Matson Conservation Area is a long-term journey—and a shared one. If you would like to be part of a growing community of volunteers, we invite you to join us as we continue to care for this important ecosystem. Let’s ensure that it is a vibrant, inclusive, and ecologically rich space for generations to come.
