Wild for Wetlands
Event Details
August 28th, 2016, 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve (Duncan), British Columbia
Habitat Restoration
This event will focus on restoring the wetlands on the shores of Quamichan lake, at the Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve. A short distance from the site’s iconic Garry oak meadows, large wetland depressions were dug several years ago to capture runoff and provide amphibian habitat.
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More Information
The Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve is the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s flagship property in the Cowichan Valley, located just 7.5 km northeast of Duncan. This 23 hectare (57 ac.) preserve is one the last, best examples of deep soil Garry oak ecosystem left in Canada. The meadow and woodland portion of the preserve features centuries-old Garry oak trees towering over grassy meadows full of native wildflowers, including the endangered upland yellow violet. Dozens of rare and at-risk species thrive here, including many types of bees and butterflies, delicate flowers and small woodland animals.
What you will be doingVolunteers will fix and replace wire tree guards to protect seedlings from deer and encroaching weeds. We'll also net insects in the water, and take inventory of what lives here after just a few years of open water onsite.
Why you will love itExperience this amazing landscape, normally closed to the public to protect sensitive ecosystems. Volunteers will tour the site and learn about the restoration efforts NCC has taken to bring this habitat to life.
Questions?Contact Todd Carnahan: bc@conservationvolunteers.ca
Directions: From Highway 1 in Duncan, travel east on Trunk Road. At the roundabout, exit onto Maple Bay Road. After 4 kms, turn left onto Aitken Road. The Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve straddles this road. Continue to the end of Aitken Road and park at the pullout area on the right, where we will meet.
While we do our best to provide you with the tools you need to participate, please bring the following items if you have them:
- Long pants
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Gardening gloves if you have them
- A shovel if you have one