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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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?
Read more
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.
Read more
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
Historical Garry Oak Ecosystems of Greater Victoria and Saanich Peninsula
This map, shared by landscape architect and planner Moira Wilson, offers helpful information and a challenge to regenerate and expand what remnants remain of this precious ecosystem in our region under pressures of population growth. Read moreLast Minute Plant Rescuers Needed!
HAT was granted an opportunity to salvage native plants on a large swath of land in Langford prior to development. Paige, HAT’s Stewardship Coordinator is requesting backup from any Plant Rescuers, any and all individuals who can dig with a shovel. It will be cold,... Read more
The Importance of Trees in an Urban Setting
Last year there was quite a bit of talk about the heat in Montreal and the fact that so many people were dying during one of their heat waves. That was directly attributed to the lack of trees and their ability to significantly lower temperature. Read more
Physicians Raise Concerns
I recently came across this letter in the Times-Colonist from Dr. Janet Ray from 2009. I believe it fits well with the new Biodiversity conversation. Dr. Rays determination that “what is becoming clear is that determinants of health also includes the health of... Read more
1201 Fort Street Forest in the Heart of the City
At 1201 Fort Street, once known as the Truth Centre, a development of luxury condos and townhouses with underground parking will “remove” 29 trees. Ten of these trees are Bylaw Protected. Here are a few photos of this diverse, mature and lovely forest. One... Read more
This tree has a lot of friends!
Thanks also to everyone who used or shared our template letter to the city, and to those who wrote their own letters.
Although some feel this is just one tree, we feel it is worth saving if possible. And if we can’t, we hope this outcry will encourage the City to think more carefully about plans to remove more public trees in the future…
Honouring the Trees
On Sunday, Jan. 20th, a group of neighbours and citizens gathered in front of the gate at 1201 Fort Street. They offered their thanks and goodbyes to the 29 beautiful trees expected to soon be removed. The developer has sent notices of blasting work to begin in early... Read more
Solutions to the EDPA
Insuring gaps in protection and proactive conservation seen in the light of a climate change emergency is logical, insulates from us the impacts of climate change and saves money.
Read more
Please tell them trees are important!
We have precious opportunities right now, to let our community know what is most important to us.
They are firming up budgets. They want to know where they should spend our money. Let’s tell them!
Beautiful Tree in Downtown Victoria Slated For Removal
This beautiful and established tree at the corner of Humboldt and Government Street by the Visitor Information Centre adds beauty, character, charm and works 24/7 for no pay cleaning the air, absorbing excess water and providing habitat for birds, yet, like the stump... Read more
FOCUS Magazine Article: Victoria’s diminishing urban forest
A big shout out to Leslie Campbell for her excellent article in this month’s Focus Magazine on Victoria’s urban forests and the rise of the Community Trees Matter Network. We are so fortunate to have a publication like Focus Magazine telling it like it is.... Read more
Mature Douglas Firs and Oaks Threatened by Saanich Development
I live on the fringe of the Urban Containment Boundry bordering rural SAANICH. My neighbours and I are currently fighting a subdivision on A 1 zoned land This land has mature Douglas firs and Garry Oaks. The land in question is at 3989 Holland Ave. SAANICH planning... Read more
Planting Our Future – A Tree Toolkit for Communities
Although this document was created in 2008, the information remains relevant and provides useful planning tools and strategies that can be used to help communities to enhance the value of their urban forest. The benefits of trees are clearly listed, issues and... Read more
The Value of City Trees
Some cities really understand the value of trees. Melbourne is planning on doubling its canopy by 2050. Athens wants to plant more trees to help it deal with urban heat islands, and flash floods. Seoul recently planted more than 2000 groves and gardens.
Read more
Presentation to Esquimalt Council
Thank you mayor and council for your service to our community and the opportunity to address you. I’m here on behalf of the Community Trees Matter Network and the Creatively United for the Planet Society. We’d like to thank the Township and staff for being proactive... Read more
Letter to share re: Finnerty Road Trees
Your support is requested to save trees slated for removal on Finnerty Road. These tree are in the median (which would be removed as part of the project) and adjacent to the southbound lane (opposite side of the road from the UVic Child Care Centre, under the Hydro... Read more
26 Garry Oaks Form Vital Green Space
Currently, the board of the South Jubilee Neighborhood Association is in the process of preserving one of the last remaining urban Garry Oak ecosystems in our area. The area in question is located on the corner or Bank Street and Leighton street, across the road from... Read more
Victories To Celebrate!
Thank you to all the people and groups taking a stand for our community trees. The Community Trees Matter Network came together out of a desire to bring more voices together in support for our urban trees and forests and to find out what resources and information we... Read more
Increasing Benefits of Trees
According to i-Tree, this Western Red Cedar recently cut down at 600 Foul Bay Road in Victoria, measured five feet in diameter, would have provided the following benefits this year (and each year this tree survived the benefits would have increased):
Read more
A Plan to Keep Trees Standing and Speaking for the Sequoia
Council already understands the many reasons to increase the urban forest in Victoria. City staff are already protecting public trees as well as they can with the budget they have. My focus is on protecting trees on private land. So far, my family and friends in... Read more
Promising Start to 2019
I am happy to report we had positive results in Saanich Chambers this past week. Council accepted the new management plan for Haro Woods that supports the natural designation it was given in 2013. Yesterday I was looking through websites and came upon the... Read more
Tree Huggers Spotted in Oak Bay
Vijaya Taylor hugs a mature Garry Oak tree in Oak Bay. She is a member of Community Trees Matter Network, which advocates for retaining mature trees, as well as increasing municipal canopies to 30 to 40 per cent. (Photo: John Taylor) Read moreRecommendations To Make Trees Matter
Members of the Community Trees Matter Network and the Creatively United for the Planet Society have enthusiastically encouraged the City of Victoria to strengthen its tree preservation bylaws and adopt the strategic plan and budget that will see the Urban Forest... Read more
Hardest Working Community Members
At the last council meeting I brought my shovel. Tonight I have my bell, to sound the alarm. We are in a climate crisis! And yet engineers and planners working for the city continue to destroy and remove trees to make sidewalks, sewer pipe lines, roads and other infrastructure. Why is so little value put on trees, our hardest working community members?
Read more
Remembering City of Victoria Election Promises
With mayors and councils making important budget decisions now, these questions are more relevant now than ever. For example, Lisa Helps sent out a campaign news release saying we could celebrate Tree Appreciation Day by planting trees in neighbourhoods all over the city, up to 1000. However, only four were planted this year, about a quarter of the number that was planted last year.
Read more
Gonzales and the Urban Forest Master Plan
We need to remind mayor and council, that in the March 15, 2018 Council Motion, Council agreed that the new Gonzales Neighbourhood Plan needed to strengthen the language with regard to green space and tree preservation, anticipating forthcoming updates to the Tree Preservation Bylaw and implementation of the Urban Forest Master Plan.
Read more
Health Benefits of Trees
Can you imagine a world where a walk in the forest is prescribed by medical doctors to reduce stress? Japan began studying the benefits of ‘forest bathing’ in the early 1980s. Their scientific research has shown that 20 minutes in the forest reduces blood pressure, lowers heart rate and increases the number of cancer-fighting cells in the body by as much as 40%.
Read more
Save Trees From Removal on Finnerty Road
There has been a development sign posted on Finnerty Road (between the roundabout at McKenzie and Arbutus Rd.). There are plans to put in bike lanes and upgrades. This sign has been up for quite some time (at least since the summer) and I have not paid much attention... Read more