Greater Victoria needs Density Without Demolition. Adaptive reuse adds units without the high cost of full-lot rebuilds, protecting tree canopies and cutting infrastructure fees. B.C. needs conversion codes and co-op tools to keep housing affordable.
Thanks to Laura Lynch and the What on Earth team for this fantastic Earth Day podcast featuring Suzanne Simard, who became famous for her work about how trees communicate through a forest web; Tsimshian scientist Teresa Ryan, Kwakwaka’wakw artist and hereditary chief... Read more
Are we putting too much emphasis on targetting trees as a fire threat while we trustingly leave our highly flammable, plastic-laden vehicles parked in or next to our residences? Creatively United presents this free webinar/conversation and Q&A with some of BC’s... Read more
It appears that due to approved development, the Township of Esquimalt and the Department of National Defence continue to add to the senseless destruction of natural habitat for birds, pollinators, urban wildlife and humans to enjoy. Numerous healthy, mature trees... Read more
Support preserving as much of a rare patch of Garry oak and Douglas-fir ecosystem on an Esquimalt private property earmarked for development as possible, whilst still allowing appropriate development of the site.
In spring 2025, a piece of land in Saanich, BC—two acres of former hobby farm at 4015 Braefoot Rd.—became the flashpoint for a wider conflict. It supports a functioning Garry oak meadow and woodland, including approximately 120 mature Garry oak trees.
The University of Sussex, UK has created a comprehensive guide to delivering rights-based protection for trees, woodlands and forests. Read more here Read more
If in doubt as to the value of every tree left standing, please take a moment to watch and share this informative 6-minute video made by the Halifax parks department: A Tree for All Trades. This film makes clear the fact that large, mature trees are exponentially more... Read more
The historic Garry Oaks on Lynnfield Crescent are more than just trees; they are living monuments to our shared heritage and an essential part of the urban canopy that enriches our community. These majestic oaks, some which have stood for over two centuries, not only... Read more
The following was posted on the Friends of Vancouver Island Facebook page: Friends of Vancouver Island | Tree Removal Notices Appearing Across Victoria | Facebook “Tree Removal Notices Appearing Across Victoria If you’ve been walking around Victoria lately, you... Read more
Celebrated annually on September 24, National Tree Day is a holiday dedicated to recognizing the importance of trees in our lives. Initiated in 2011 by Tree Canada, this day serves as a tribute to the beauty, resilience, and crucial role of trees across Canada’s... Read more
Dear friends and forest protectors, The Oceanspray (or Ironwood), KÁȾEȽĆ in SENĆOŦEN, is just past its full bloom. It’s strong and enduring. Like us. Strong and enduring and just past our bloom. We are still here, still loving the forests of this land, still working... Read more
June 23 marks the 4th anniversary of the 2021 Heat Dome, an occurrence that most of us remember vividly. What we may not be aware of is that the Chief Coroner of BC investigated the reasons for the 619 resultant, publishing a major Report. One of its key... Read more
I think you’ll enjoy this story on how China is improving its monoculture forest ecosystem in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. The program cost $150 million. If BC just stopped allowing old growth forests to be mowed down, we would achieve a better result... Read more
Gene Miller is the only person we can think of who could write such a biting, funny and true article about what it would mean to Victorians if the city goes ahead with cutting down this beloved tree. “It’s worth wondering how our electeds and our urban design... Read more
Replacing the Crystal Pool is a wasteful, uncreative solution to problems that could be addressed through a less costly retrofit. FINALLY, on New Year’s Eve I was able to do my one-kilometre swim again at the Crystal Pool after its 6 weeks of maintenance. I miss the... Read more
On Feb 8 the city of Victoria is asking residents to vote YES or NO to borrowing $189 million to replace Crystal Pool and for your preferred location: the current pool site in Central Park (NORTH) and right next to it over top of the Steve Nash basketball court,... Read more
Some of the reasons to say NO to the demolition of Crystal Pool: With 25% tariffs coming, the Globe & Mail (Jan 30, 2025) cautions, “Now is not the time to borrow.” To demolish the pool, the City is asking to borrow over $160 million. Building materials, such as... Read more
Here’s an easy-to-do survey that I hope you will complete and share with your contacts. It involves rating your support for a series of statements on a 5-point scale. It comes from the Coastal Douglas-Fir Conservation Partnership and pertains to support for... Read more
by Wylie Thomas, conservation biologist Please send a message to BC’s new Minister of Water, Lands, and Resource Stewardship, Randene Neill, to let her know how important it is to protect Harewood Plains in the Nanaimo area on Vancouver Island (and please cc the... Read more
Thanks to Mary Wagner and citizen support, Langford Council supported Wagner’s five part motion based on the Urban Forest Management Plan to help preserve and protect more of Langford’s urban canopy. Staff had a recommendation for part 1 and 2, and points... Read more
Arborist and urban forest educator Ryan Senechal offers an analysis of the Technical Memorandum recently shared by the City of Victoria regarding its stated need to cut down Centennial Square’s giant sequoia tree. He says the tree is healthy, and could be pruned... Read more
Term 2 /Take 2 Attention people of Saanich: this is a biodiversity alert. Biodiversity Biodiversity Biodiversity Taxes Taxes Taxes My job as an Independent 100% NOT developer-funded councillor is getting harder every day. A voice for the environment, wildlife,... Read more
An inconvenient tree? Sign the petition here. On Jul 11, 2024 Victoria’s mayor and a majority of council members approved the updated concept design for Centennial Square and directed staff to proceed with implementation as outlined in the Centennial Square... Read more
The redesign of Victoria’s Centennial Square is moving closer toward breaking ground, and there remains a chance for sober second thought on the fate of a highly appreciated giant sequoia. We’ve been informed that the removal is to improve sightlines for public safety…
In July, Victoria’s mayor and council voted to cut down the giant sequoia that has been a focal point of Centennial Square for past decades, as part of a planned redesign of the space. Two other large trees will also be removed. These include a healthy sweetgum, and the beautiful Shirofugen Japanese flowering cherry…
It all started with a blank slate. Or, in this case, an empty patch of soil beside a park. As a research lead with Seedlings Forest Education, an organization in Victoria, BC that facilitates nature-based learning for children, it was my job to help the leadership... Read more
BC Hydro is planning to remove several hundred trees near Prospect Lake in Saanich in order to upgrade their power transmission lines. Among a number of questions that come to mind, what is Hydro’s relation to the development/real estate lobby?
Learn how to propagate and plant native Pacific northwest trees from seed — save money and get stronger, healthier, more resilient trees! A great way to create stock for eco-restoration or wetland projects. Or offer to donate the seedlings to your local... Read more
Join professional arborist and commercial and non-profit tree grower, Ryan Senechal, and the Community Trees Matter Network for this fun, practical workshop! Learn where and when to gather seed or cuttings (now is a good time), propagation basics, container culture,... Read more
Protecting Nature in Cities with Indigenous Wisdom, Creativity and Science Presented by the Community Trees Matter Network, CreativelyUnited.org, and Programs in Earth Literacies Links & Resources Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action:... Read more
Government + Mayor & Councillor Contacts Key Federal, Provincial & Municipal Government Contacts Trees Matter Toolkit Trees Matter Toolkit More tree items from Solutions Nature & Conservation Trees Are Vital Cartoon... Read more
Photo credit: Nikki/Flickr The Victoria-based Community Trees Matter Network has created this handy letter to cut and paste, and send to Victoria City Council, or the officials of your choice, in an effort to protect and enhance urban trees and forests. The Letter:... Read more
The Community Trees Matter Network is asking anyone who lives, works, studies, recreates, or would like to help the urban forest in Saanich, BC, to please consider sending this letter to council@saanich.ca, or write your own. This letter could be used as... Read more
Here are a few great tree stories we hope you enjoy. We welcome submissions from the public. Please share your tree stories here. Community Managed Forests: https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/10/23592712/conservation-nasa-satellite-images-nepal-forests The Spirituality... Read more
Since CTMN began, in 2018, our various passionate members have been involved in a variety of projects: Educational Outreach to the Public via technology: We created a website filled with information about trees and ways citizens can protect them, at... Read more
This should not be a battle between supportive housing and the urban forest canopy. Everyone should have access to the mental and physical health benefits provided by mature trees. Every neighbourhood should gain from the carbon sequestration and enhanced biodiversity... Read more
Too often, municipalities seem to think mature trees are just in the way. That needs to change, because those trees benefit public health and even save lives. Like every municipality, Saanich needs bike lanes, safe sidewalks, and up-to-date utility pipes. But were any... Read more
We are concerned citizens who urge Saanich Council to pause implementation of Phase Two of its Shelbourne Valley Action Plan until after October 15, 2022 election. We wish the new Council to review the plan before proceeding. Click here to sign the petition The... Read more
The science is conclusive, trees matter! Not only can trees help regulate weather, filter smoke and pollutants, absorb stormwater runoff and prevent floods, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide beauty, shade, and shelter for thousands of needed insects,... Read more
This article, written by Community Trees Matter Network co-founder Grace Golightly, was recently published in Focus and speaks to what’s at stake with Victoria’s urban trees and livability.... Read more
I have felt sometimes lately like I am descending into some kind of limbo. So much seems to be going sideways in the world at the same time, yet there doesn’t seem to be anything I can do to slow or halt the decline. For the last three years, all I seem to have been... Read more
Dear friends of the urban forest, This Thursday, August 4th, Victoria city council is holding a public hearing about the proposed “Missing Middle” zoning change. This unprecedented change could mean a massive loss of city trees — yet with no... Read more
Two-thirds of the trees in Victoria are on private land, within the setbacks of buildings that do not maximize the allowable footprint. Upzone most of those properties and you provide the financial incentive to remove thousands of Victoria’s mature trees. The tree protection bylaw does not protect trees that fall within allowable building footprints.
Victoria Mayor, Lisa Helps, wants to force a vote (May 12th.) on an initiative that will seriously impact housing for homeowners and renters in Victoria long into the future. Crucially, it will involve upzoning residential areas of Victoria to allow development of up... Read more
The story of Fairy Creek comes to the world stage! In the summer of 2021, Canadian filmmaker Peter von Puttkamer and his crew made the trek to Fairy Creek to document the struggle and speak first-hand with the forest defenders passionate about saving the old-growth... Read more
Nature heals — in more ways than one. Science shows that spending time in nature reduces stress and anxiety and boosts energy, creativity, co-ordination, problem solving and curiosity. For Earth Day, you can make MORE green spaces available to MORE people. Donate to... Read more
Join Christine Lowther, Tofino’s Poet Laureate for the launch of Worth More Standing: Poets and Activists Pay Homage to Trees Anthology. About this event The launch of Worth More Standing: Poets and Activists Pay Homage to Trees will open at 12:30 p.m. and the... Read more
I’m hoping you can help us with this campaign. If you have admired the gorgeous cherry trees on Menzies St. near Niagara, I am sorry to tell you that a developer is going to cut them all down – in order to move the sidewalk over a few feet. And the city... Read more
