Growing Hope, Restoring Nature
Greetings from the field!
As you know, HAT’s field crew has been hard at work restoring critical meadows, woodlands, and forests across our region, thanks to your support. Our Grow Hope, Restore Nature Project is a vital part of HAT’s work, and we are thrilled to share that our field season is off to a promising start.
Our dedicated Field Crew has accomplished the following since April 1 2025:
3.6 hectares restored: The crew has successfully removed invasive plants from almost 9 acres. That is equivalent to 180 tennis courts of habitat improved for biodiversity!
18 different restoration sites visited: Our restoration efforts have been spread across the local area, the crew has hiked, camped, and ferried over to 18 important sites to conduct restoration.
9 collaborators engaged: the crew and staff have collaborated with eight partners, including the Islands Trust Conservancy, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, the PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ Foundation project work at SṈIDȻEȽ, Lekwungen Community Toolshed, W̱SĺḴEM Ivy Project, and the Pauquachin Marine Team at their Coles Bay Clam Garden Restoration Project.
Crew members Dana, Jules, and Chelsea express their excitement at observing sugarstick (Allotropa virgata) on S,DÁYES, Pender Island, with the Islands Trust Conservancy.
Left: Golden paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) and right: Oceanspray fairy moth (Adela septentrionella) observed by the crew on ƛ̓ikʷeʔnəŋ (Tl’ikwe’nung), the Lekwungen name for Trial Island, named for the vibrant beach pea that is found on the island.
The 2025 Habitat Restoration field crew (from left to right) Hannah, Lauren, Jules, Dana, and Chelsea pause for a group photo atop Maple Mountain, an important prairie-oak ecosystem where they removed invasive plants from the hilltop meadows.
✨EMPOWERING YOUTH THROUGH SKILLS DEVELOPMENT✨
What truly sets Grow Hope, Restore Nature apart is its focus on the combination of meaningful employment and impactful conservation. In support of this community-based effort, HAT Board Chair and beloved local author Andy MacKinnon extends his take on the importance of this work:
“I warmly invite you to support Grow Hope Restore Nature—an important initiative towards the conservation of our local landscapes. Your generous support creates ‘mush-room’ for hope and growth, strengthening our impact in the region. Thank you for being a vital part of our future. Sincerely grateful.”
- Andy MacKinnon
How much have we raised?
As of July 2, 2025, we have raised $14,736.96. That is 25% of our overall goal of $60,000. Your generous support is essential to the success of this project. By contributing to Grow Hope, Restore Nature, you're helping to:
Protect endangered species by restoring critical prairie-oak ecosystems
Combat climate change by using nature-based solutions such as restoration
Create healthier communities by providing educational opportunities and improving access to nature through restoration events
Leave a lasting legacy for future generations by empowering young people to become the next generation of conservation leaders
Where does your dollar end up?
Every donation, no matter the size, makes a tangible difference. The following gifts cover the cost of:
$20 - Plant three native meadow plants like woolly sunflower
$50 - Travel to one restoration site for the restoration crew
$61 - Two hours of restoration by one field crew member
$228 - A full day of restoration by one field crew member
$1,139 - A full day of restoration by the entire 5-person field crew
$5,693 - A full WEEK of restoration by the entire 5-person field crew
$22,772 - A full MONTH of restoration by the entire 5-person field crew
How can you be part of this initiative?
We still need to raise $45,263.04 before October 31! We invite you to join us in this important work. There are 5 ways you can do that:
ONLINE Visit our website to make a secure online donation
MAIL Consider sending a cheque to: Habitat Acquisition Trust, PO Box 8552 Stn Central, Victoria, BC, V8W 3S2
E-TRANSFER Send a secure e-transfer from your bank account to HAT (saves on fees): hatmail@hat.bc.ca, and leave the word ‘habitat’ as the security answer.
PHONE Phone us at 250-995-2428 and make a donation over the phone with a credit card.
VOLUNTEER Come down to volunteer at an upcoming restoration event. Check out our event calendar.
Thank you for your continued support! Together, we can build a more hopeful future for our region and its ecosystems.
We would like to thank Environment and Climate Change Canada, Clean Foundation, Nature Canada, Victoria Foundation, Working Culture Bread, San Poncho, and Robinson’s Outdoor Store for supporting this cause, and the many other donors like you who have made this possible so far.
See you in the field,
Paige Erickson-McGee
Stewardship Programs Manager at HAT
