Save Craigflower Creek
The BC government wants to turn an existing park into a bus depot, despite the presence of a salmon spawning creek and many trees. The details are on the website: https://www.savecraigflowercreek.org and we have a petition started here:... Read more
City of Victoria Strengthens Tree Protection Bylaws
Thank you to everyone who wrote emails and letters, and spoke to council on behalf on Victoria’s trees — we were successful! Mayor and council have just approved a significantly stronger tree protection bylaw.
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Council Protects Urban Forest
Council has adopted amendments to the Tree Preservation Bylaw aimed at protecting the urban forest, while the City focuses on planting more trees. As part of the City’s Urban Forest Master Plan, the City is reviewing and renewing our Tree Preservation Bylaw to ensure... Read more
Public Hearing Results
Last night was the result of public action, in a way Langford hasn’t seen before. We saw consistent, smart pressure applied by citizens to Council and to the developer – and it worked.
Read moreExperts Talk on Adapting to Climate Change
Oak Bay Parks, Recreation and Culture, the Community Association of Oak Bay and Friends of Uplands Park invite you to an Experts Talk on Adapting to Climate Change on December 2nd at 7 pm at the Monterey Community Centre, 1442 Monterey Ave, Victoria. Dr. Richard... Read moreFor Love of The Forest – Yellow Point Ecological Society
The Yellow Point Ecological Society (YES) created this short video, narrated by Guy Dauncey, highlighting ways we can protect the forest. For more details, please visit the YES... Read more
How To Plant Trees If You Don’t Own Land
Fall is a great time to start trees from seeds or nuts. Plant them in pots you can keep in a cool place indoors. (Research the type of trees you want to start on the internet first – the methods are different for many species.
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Key Federal, Provincial & Municipal Government Contacts
Writing a letter to voice your opinion is not only therapeutic but can make a difference. The more of us who do it, the more likely some action will come of it. Here we have conveniently compiled a list of emails for city councilors and mayors for most municipalities,... Read more
Tree Appreciation Day
Come celebrate Tree Appreciation Day on Sunday, November 3rd! Beacon Hill Park – Cameron Bandshell 10 am – 1 pm No cost for attendees. Tree tours Ceremonial Tree Planting Children’s art station “Match the Leaves with the Seeds” activity Ask an Arborist station... Read more
The Urban Forest Master Plan
Interested in knowing more about trees and how best to protect and preserve them? The City of Victoria Urban Forest Master Plan (2013) is a wonderful document brimming with useful and relevant information about trees. It is not only a fascinating read, but an easy... Read more
Esquimalt Park To Receive 450 New Trees & Shrubs
These native plants will add to the biodiversity in the park, as well as increase tree coverage in the region. There will be 23 species planted in total, including Garry oaks, Douglas fir…
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New Forest Management Policy
Great news! North Cowichan Councillor Rob Douglas, has just let us know Resolution B 156 Regional Management of Forests, was passed this morning at the UBCM Convention in Vancouver. This resolution is copied below. Maybe now BC forestry will be above politics and... Read more
How To Plant Trees
Fall is a great time to plant trees! In the Pacific Northwest, fall may be the best time to plant trees. They have time to develop roots before it gets cold. They also benefit from developing yet more roots in spring — before they have to start using some of... Read more
City of Victoria Announces Participation in UN’s Trees for Cities Challenge
At a time when urban forests are rapidly diminishing, the City of Victoria this year made a commitment to expanding and protecting ours, by adding $1 million to the Parks budget. It also committed $850,000 annually going forward.
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Tree Bike Tour
The Community Trees Matter Network in partnership with CreativelyUnited.org and the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition hosted an inaugural bike tree tour this past Sunday guided by municipal arbourist, Ryan Senechal, from the City of Victoria; tree preservation... Read more
Free Trees! Garry Oaks, Bigleaf Maples & More
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago…The next best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb Fall is a great time to collect seeds and nuts that will grow into free trees. Even those of us who don’t own property can enjoy starting seedlings for others to plant in... Read more
Trees (and Shrubs) For Free!
Why not try your hand at propagating some trees and/or shrubs? Not all species are easy to grow from cuttings, but many will respond to your care and effort. When the saplings or plants are established, you can plant them in your own yard, or ask friends and family... Read more
National Tree Day: A Meaningful Way to Reflect on the Positive Impact of Trees
National Tree Day is a meaningful way to reflect on the positive impact that trees have on our lives and to celebrate all that they have to offer. From cleaning the air to managing stormwater to storing CO2, urban forests play an integral role in our health and well-being.
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Free Boulevard Tree Planting in Saanich & Oak Bay
If you live in Saanich, you can get a free tree planted on your boulevard! Check out this link for more info. (If you live in Oak Bay, they have a similar program! It is not posted, but for more info on Oak Bay’s boulevard tree program, call... Read moreTree Cycling Tour
Hop on your bike and learn about how trees and tree canopies help our cities to survive and thrive. Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition, Community Trees Matter Network, City of Victoria Parks and District of Oak Bay Parks invite you to jump on your bicycle and take... Read more
Tree activists call for better transparency after Humboldt Street tree removal
“It was misleading to say they had ‘broad public support’ … Ultimately, the number of people who signed the petition to save the tree, in less than three days, was more than the number of people they’d consulted with about the project over a period of two... Read more
Humboldt Street Tree: A Case Study
An approximately 40 year-old white birch tree (“the Humboldt tree”) at the intersection of Humboldt and Government was cut down on January 28, 2019 to implement a complete redesign of the intersection. The redesign was scheduled as part of the implementation of the City of Victoria’s AAA Bicycle Network Plan.
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Can You Imagine? – A Poem By Mary Oliver
CAN YOU IMAGINE? by Mary Oliver For example, what the trees do not only in lightening storms or the watery dark of a summer’s night or under the white nets of winter but now, and now, and now – whenever we’re not looking. Surely you can’t imagine they don’t dance,... Read moreA Tree For All Trades
Thank you to everyone who came out to the film and information night on Friday. It was a full house that included an opportunity for those in attendance to learn more about carbon negative Harmless Home and how the new technology it employs could result in less lumber... Read more
CBRA’s Request for Consultations for Tree Removal on Public Property
One Cadboro Bay neighbourhood was stunned, earlier this year, when a number of healthy Garry Oaks were posted for tree removal. Residents sprang into action to try to dissuade council from moving ahead. They were told the decision had already been made. Further, they... Read more
Presenting the Garry Oak Meadow Preservation Society
The Garry Oak Meadow Preservation Society (GOMPS) was formed in 1992. Local citizens were concerned that native Garry oak woodlands and meadows were rapidly disappearing in the Capital Regional District. Development and human actions have caused and continue to be the... Read more
Residents’ Group Fights for a New Park in Langford
(200 residents attended a rezoning meeting recently to request some of this property be left as parkland. Please read on for an update.) On July 8, 2019 the City of Langford Planning, Zoning and Affordable Housing Committee moved to proceed with comprehensive... Read more
Looking For Locals With Expertise
We’re looking to put together a “panel of experts” for the Citizens of South Langford for Sustainable Development (CSLSD). We often have questions pop up about certain subjects as we are working on our various plans of action, and would love to have... Read more
City of Victoria Town Hall on Climate Change
In June, the City of Victoria hosted public town halls on climate change, focused on existing buildings, new buildings and transportation. Two of our volunteers, Grace Golightly and Lisa Gordon used their five minutes each at the microphone to remind mayor and council... Read more
Tree planting ‘has mind-blowing potential’ to tackle climate crisis
Planting billions of trees across the world (and preventing more deforestation) is by far the biggest and cheapest way to tackle the climate crisis, according to scientists.
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Native Deciduous Trees for your Garden
There are some lovely native deciduous trees that you can grow in your garden. The ones I will write about are fairly small and don’t take up a huge amount of space.
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Urban Forests Benefit Us All
Thank you to the more than 100 people who attended Community Trees Matter Network’s April 17th discussion with Dr. Cecil Konijnendijk. His inspiring presentation clearly illustrated the true value of trees from a public health and wellness perspective and why we... Read more
Earth Day In The Gardens Community Event
Meet and interact with earth-minded community groups, nonprofit organizations, green businesses and more at this, “enviro expo for all things eco!” Admission is free and includes access to our nine acres of demonstration gardens to inspire you, as well as interactive children’s activities to engage the next generation of environmental stewards.
Read moreTree Love Town Hall
This event is taking place on the unceded territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ Nations. Calling all tree lovers, land defenders and concerned citizens! There is growing public concern about the future of our remnant Garry oak forests. The once-expansive Garry oak forests have... Read more
What Are We Doing?
I received a Saanich Parks newsletter and on page 3 is an article in which the Nature Conservancy of Canada is announcing the Garry Oak Meadow Marathon. Throughout February and March parks and conservation groups across southern Vancouver Island are hosting volunteer... Read more
Calling All Tree Lovers!
If you love our urban trees the Community Trees Matter Network wants to hear from you. We are looking for people with a variety of skills who care enough to volunteer occasionally. If you are interested in trees, please take a moment to let us know with this short... Read more
Improvements to Saanich Tree Protection Bylaw
Some good news. According to the Saanich News on-line (Wolfgang Depner), there’ll be a debate about this Notice of Motion regarding improvements to Saanich’s tree protection bylaw next Monday 11th March, at Saanich Municipal Hall. Meeting starts 7 PM.... Read more
Sooke Hills Wilderness Park Highway Proposal Update
Thank you to everyone who has written letters and showed up at CRD meetings to speak against the province’s desire to see a highway pushed through our precious watershed in the Sooke Hills Wilderness Park. The insanity of this proposal shows that the Ministry of... Read more
Together Trees Stand, Divided They Fall
It was such a disappointment to see the media slant a celebratory good news story into a negative piece of journalism by sensationalizing one council member’s comments. As community members and volunteers, we can honestly say we are very pleased at how receptive... Read more
Urban Forest Master Plan To Be Implemented
Thank you to Victoria Council (technically the Committee of the Whole) for approving $1.26 million in new funding for our urban forest, in addition to the $110K already approved to update the 2005 Tree Protection Bylaw. Finally, the Urban Forest Master Plan adopted in... Read more
Community Trees Matter Network Information and Inspiration Night
Join us Wednesday, February 27th from 7:30 – 9 pm at the Church of Truth, 111 Superior St, for an inspirational and informational evening featuring a talk and photography by Frances Litman, local author Jane Warren Campbell reading from her book Conversations... Read more
A Sad Day for Saanich Oaks
What will it take to stop Saanich cutting down healthy trees on public land, in the name of road upgrades, particularly when alternatives can be found?
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Victoria’s Trees Need Your Help! Time Sensitive Update
Council votes Feb. 21st on funding the Urban Forest Master Plan. Money is available, but council could maintain its record of underfunding. If you haven’t already, please tell them how important trees are to all of us. Write city council TODAY and tell them to... Read more
Trees Can Do That? International Speaker, Author, & Urban Forest Expert Cecil Konijnendijk, Phd
UBC Urban Forestry professor and international urban forest governance expert, Cecil Konijnendijk, will share his passion about urban trees, urban nature and urban greening programs on Wednesday, April 17th from 7:15 – 9 pm at the Cook Street Activity Center, 380 Cook Street.
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Finnerty Road Garry Oaks
Maleea Acker, a UVic professor, a journalist and author of Gardens Aflame, about Garry Oak Meadows, has written this letter to Adriane Pollard, Director, Environmental Services, Saanich, with copies to Mayor and Council, plus to the Times-Colonist and the Editor of... Read more
TREES and the UFMP
I grew up on the west coast, then spent 30 years on the prairie. It was the TREES that brought me back, two years ago. I was shocked at how my old neighbourhoods in Vancouver have lost their green spaces and become crowded with houses, cars, and concrete — the literal... Read more
National Geographic Video: Forest Garden With 500 Edible Plants Could Lead to a Sustainable Future
This is brilliant! It clearly shows how nature has set us up to thrive pre colonization…when people were free to live in harmony with the land. If we truly want to address climate change and food security, let this serve as a simple example of what is possible... Read more