Chase Woods – the Mossy Winter Wonderland

A living example of old-growth, coastal Douglas-fir forests, Chase Woods is located on Mt. Tzouhalem of southeastern Vancouver Island. Made up of spectacular cliffs and sensitive wetlands, the 41 hectare (101 ac.) preserve is home to several rare species, including peregrine falcons, sharp-tailed snakes and Oregon white oak plant communities.

NCC acquired Chase Woods with the assistance of the Government of Canada’s Natural Areas Conservation Program (NACP), a unique public-private partnership to accelerate the pace of land conservation across southern Canada.

The group will start on a short hike up Mt Zhouhalem in search of moss pillows, winter animal signs, tracks and other evidence of our wild neighbours. Identifying plants in the winter is a great way to compare their less obvious characteristics. On the way down, the group will stop at the restoration site we've been working on, to check up on things and lay down some mulch. There is a small patch of blackberry that we can tackle too!

The views of Cowichan Bay from the very special Mt Zhouhalem are reason enough to love it, but throw in some plant ID, animal tracking, and habitat restoration, and you have a perfectly fun outdoor morning activity!

Contact Melanie Kuzyk: bc@conservationvolunteers.ca