Havenwood Park
Havenwood Park is a stunning 16.8-hectare public park that features a mosaic of mature Douglas-fir and western redcedar forest interspersed with Garry oak and arbutus ecosystems on rocky outcrops. These habitats represent provincially red- and blue-listed ecological communities, including Douglas-fir/Arbutus and Garry oak/Arbutus associations. The park’s varied topography supports a diversity of microhabitats, such as forested slopes, riparian habitat, and open bluffs that sustain a wide range of wildlife. Common species include pileated woodpeckers, barred owls, and Pacific tree frogs, along with 68 bird species observed, and numerous pollinators that rely on the park’s structural and vegetation diversity. Three small streams originate or flow through the park, all of which are tributaries to Latoria Creek and flow generally south on a seasonal or permanent basis.
Havenwood faces ongoing ecological pressures, including invasive plant encroachment (particularly from Scotch broom and shiny geranium), habitat fragmentation and impacts from nearby developments, and the effects of climate change, such as drought and altered precipitation patterns. The park is an important habitat connector to surrounding areas like Ocean View Park. HAT’s stewardship efforts focus on controlling invasive species, restoring native plant communities, and improving ecosystem resilience through targeted habitat enhancement. The park provides critical wildlife habitat and ecosystem services in its region, which are fragmented and semi-urban landscapes. It also offers opportunities for community connection to nature and culturally grounded stewardship.
Havenwood Park is co-owned by the City of Colwood and the City of Langford, with a section 219 conservation covenant co-held by HAT and The Land Conservancy of BC. This classification ensures that stewardship and protection efforts will be protected in perpetuity.
-
Mature Douglas-fir and Western redcedar forest, riparian areas, Garry oak meadows, and Garry oak and arbutus woodlands.
-
Nuttall’s quilwort (Isoetes nutallii): This plant prefers the seasonally wet vernal pools found in Garry oak ecosystems. It is a highly sensitive species due to its unique habitat needs and isolated populations throughout BC.
Northern Red-legged Frog (Rana aurora): A blue-listed (Special Concern) species in BC, observed in a drainage ditch along the edge of the site. Red-legged frogs require standing water or streams, deciduous forest that provides canopy cover, and structural complexity, including elements like coarse woody debris. Restoration work at this site will be carried out in a way that supports these desired conditions.
Western red-backed salamander (Plethodon vehiculum): These salamanders have been recently observed at Havenwood Park. They require moist habitats with adequate leaf litter and debris and prefer rocky areas near streams and seeps. Unlike other salamanders, they are a fully terrestrial species, meaning they do not have an aquatic stage of their life cycle.
-
Invasive species spread, particularly Scotch broom, is an ongoing threat at this site. Future restoration efforts will focus on invasive species management, with consideration for promoting suitable habitat for species at risk. Fencing and signage will continue to be used to discourage foot traffic on particularly sensitive areas in the park, such as open meadows and rocky outcrops.
Your Investment:
$10,407.73
What You’re Supporting:
You are investing in the restoration of a 16.5-hectare park of mature Douglas-fir and western redcedar forests, rich riparian zones, and stunning Garry oak meadows. This park provides critical habitats for species like the blue-listed Northern red-legged frog, which require the unique habitat that Havenwood provides for survival. Your investment pays for:
Over 150 hours of targeted invasive species removal and native species planting
A free and accessible community restoration event
Ecological monitoring, data collection, and mapping
Tools, equipment, event supplies, plants, and seeds
Travel to and from the site
Coordination, logistics, and operational capacity
What You Receive:
As a Local Habitat Partner, you receive:
A communications package with social media graphics and copy promoting our partnership, and a Local Habitat Partner badge to proudly display on your website or at your place of business
Opportunities for staff to attend a community event and participate in restoration work
Recognition and branding through logo placement online and at the community event, public acknowledgement as a partner, acknowledgement in HAT’s Annual Report, and association with meaningful local environmental outcomes
Impact reporting from the field that shows the real results of your support, including the area restored and the amount of invasive species removed, reports highlighting progress, and before and after site photos
A charitable tax receipt
Other Supporters of Havenwood Park
