Join Us for our ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
April 14, 2018 2- 4 pm
Please click to RSVP Here
Parking is available along Millstream Rd.
People with mobility issues will have access to the main driveway for parking by the house.
Membership Renewal Reminder
Memberships can be purchased on-line, at our monthly walk or at our AGM.Yearly membership rates:
- Adults -$20
- Families – $30
- Students/ Low Income – $10
- Societies/Organizations – $50
- Businesses/ Corporations – $100
- Free admission to the monthly walks (Value $60)
- Front of the Line invites to events and special discounts.
- Our bi-monthly newsletter to keep you updated about our conservation efforts and program development.
- Voting privileges at our AGM
Talk: Forest Therapy – Nature as Healer With Haida Bolton (Sunshine Coast)
When: April 28, 2018 10:30 – 11:30 am
Where: Nature House at Mary Lake
Cost: $15
Unique Opportunity to experience Forest Medicine Walks
Sat, 28 Apr 2018, 1:00- 4:00 PM for Adults Only $50
Sun, 29 Apr 2018, 1:00- 4:00 PM for Children ($25) and Adults ($50)
Surrounded by the sensual ambiance of the forest, we can sink into a deep calm space, that opens us to the physical, emotional and mental nurturing energy nature provides.
I invite you to join us for a new and expanding way to enjoy the forest as a group.
It is slow…it is mindful…it is healing…and it can expand your heart, your creativity and your relationships. The world will be a better place when everyone is connected to nature!
The Association of Nature & Forest Therapy lists myriad benefits including reduced blood pressure, increased energy, and increased ability to focus.
Each walk is 3 hours – includes wild plant tea ceremony
Maximum of 12 participants each walk
Families with children are welcome to attend the Sunday, April 29 Walk
Purchase Tickets Before Event Here
Join Haida Bolton, BC’s first certified Forest Therapy Guide
Article: What the Heck is Forest Bathing?
For more information on forest therapy, visit www.NatureWithHaida.ca
Volunteer Opportunities: Click here to sign up
April 14, Saturday:
GVGS Annual General Meeting:
- 12:30 pm: Set Up -1-hour – 3 people
- 1:00 pm and 4 pm: Help with snacks & tea/coffee 1-hour – 3 people
- 4:30 pm: 1-hour Clean up – 3 people
May 6, 9:45 am – 1 pm
Join the ML Nature Sanctuary Broom Bash
- Meet the amazing Victoria Green Team who will be joining us.
- Tasks – Use brush cutters to cut the broom – Load the broom into a truck
- Need two trucks and drivers to take broom to the Highlands Community Garden (5-10 min. away)
- Snacks and Refreshments provided.
Species@ Risk in MLNS
By Ben Van Drimmlen
Wildlife is an inherent part of a natural ecosystem. The presence of some species of wildlife simply adds to visitor enjoyment. More significant, though, is improving conditions for scarce, threatened wildlife. Generally, these are referred to as “species at risk”.
This is a big focus for the Sanctuary. We have already identified six species at risk on the property: the Garry oak – arbutus ecosystem, the great blue heron, the olive-sided flycatcher, the formerly-common barn swallow and, this spring, the red-legged frog.
Now we have put up six nest boxes to attract western screech owls. These small owls rely on woodpecker-made cavities in old snags, structures that are rare in the still-young forests of the Highlands.
Bullfrog Management at Mary Lake
Additionally, a fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) on the frog’s skin is potentially deadly for amphibian populations, like the Red Legged Frog which is domestic around Mary Lake.
- Removal of invasive bullfrogs increases habitat quality and supports native species and especially species at risk (e.g. Red legged frog,)
- Silence for overnight visitors at Mary Lake and native species (Site and habitat enhancement)
- Mary Lake as an example for best practice Bullfrog Management creates new possibilities for partnerships, education events, and workshops.
- Bringing experts and students to Mary Lake (studies and education)
Neville is willing to help us develop a Bullfrog Management Plan for Mary Lake that can be used in other locations in the region.
Lake Stewardship and Research
March 21st. GVGS members met with Dr Rick Nordin
Dr Rick Nordin has been instrumental in initiating Community Lake Stewardship in BC and was a founding member of the BC Lake Stewardship Society (BCLSS). Rick is among the most informed limnologists (freshwater lake expert) in the province and he was the “go to man” when we initiated lake stewardship in the Highlands in 1996. Eric Bonham (GVGS Board Adviser) got to know him when they both worked for the then Provincial Ministry of Environment, and on his retirement, Rick then taught at UVIC.
Regarding Mary Lake, setting up a lake stewardship program would fit well with the vision for the Mary Lake Nature Sanctuary from both an educational and protection of the lake aspect.
Rick suggested the following research to assess the lake health.
- History of Mary Lake. How it was formed etc
- Watershed Mapping + define watershed boundaries
- Bathymetric information – establish lake bottom contours. This is achieved by lake surveys
- Establish an invasive species list including aquatic plants and bullfrog impact.
- Monitoring of the lake using secchi disc. Information gathered includes dissolved oxygen,temperature, pH (acidity/alkaline),turbidity
- More detailed water quality analysis can be done including water chemistry.
GVGS has been invited by the B.Sc. in Environmental Science Program at Royal Roads University to submit a proposal for a Major Project Partnership. These projects are carried out for one day per week from January through August of each year by teams of 4 or 5 students. The Lake Stewardship research will be proposed for this partnership.
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