About this Event
Day Overview:
- 10:00am - 12:00pm Lichen Walk in Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary ($15)
- 10:00am - 12:00pm Plant Walk in Upland Park ($15)
- 12:30pm - 1:30pm Shared Lunch at UVic (free)
- 1:30pm - 4:30pm Turning Invasive Species into Baskets at UVic ($20)
- 1:30pm - 4:30pm Native Seed Processing at UVic ($15)
The second day of the 17th Annual Garry Oak Ecosystem Gathering will feature a choice of indoor and outdoor field trip activities designed to connect participants with oak-associated ecosystems in meaningful and unique ways.
The morning will offer guided outdoor learning activities in local ecosystems, followed by a shared indoor lunch and an opportunity to develop new hands-on skills together. We encourage you to register for both lunch and the activities of your choice so we can come together as a community to celebrate the day.
We acknowledge with respect that we live and conduct our work on the territories of many First Nations, whose vital relationships with these lands and waters continue to this day and into the future. Specifically, we are grateful to the Lək̓ʷəŋən and the WSÁNEĆ Peoples, on whose territories the following field trips will take place.
Preference will be given to attendees who have purchased tickets to the 17th Annual Garry Oak Ecosystem Gathering on November 1st. Space is limited, and registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Free admission is being offered to Indigenous people—please register for events by emailing . Additionally, please reach out to [email protected] if there are any barriers to accessing a field trip activity. We want to make the day enjoyable, safe, and accessible for everyone to participate.
1. Lichen Walk with Lichen Cult
We often celebrate Garry oak and associated ecosystems during the spectacular wildflower blooms in late spring—but what wonders might we be overlooking throughout the rest of the year?
Join Natasha Lavdovsky (Tasha) from the Lichen Cult in celebrating the joy, mystery, and diversity of lichens. Tasha brings a rich background in creating ecological art and years of experience as an amateur lichenologist around the Salish Sea—including the discovery of a new population of a rare lichen.
We will be taking a guided meandering walk with Tasha where participants will learn how to spot different lichen forms and deepen their understanding of the vital role lichens play in ecosystems. No prior experience is needed—just curiosity and a willingness to look closely.
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary
Cost: $15
Maximum participants: 20
2. Plant Walk in Uplands Park
Join Matt Fairbarns for a guided exploration of Uplands Park and Cattle Point, home to one of the highest concentrations of endangered species in Canada, along with extensive coastal meadows and striking rock bluffs.
As recently as 2014, the park’s wildflower meadows were choked with Scotch broom, and ivy blanketed many shrubby and forested areas. Thanks to a multi-year invasive species management program and strong community involvement led by Friends of Uplands Park, the landscape has been transformed—native species now flourish across the eastern two-thirds of the park.
In early November, many at-risk species will be dormant or just beginning to emerge. Matt will guide you through the park’s diverse ecosystems, explain how they support species at risk, and highlight the remarkable restoration work that has brought them back to life.
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Uplands Park
Cost: $15
Maximum participants: 20
3. Shared lunch at UVic
Join field trip leaders and fellow participants from both field trips for a relaxed indoor lunch between the morning and afternoon activities. We’ll provide tasty drinks and light snacks to complement your bagged lunch, and there will be plenty of space to prepare, share, and enjoy food together.
Time: 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
Location: David Turpin Building, UVic (parking is free on Sundays)
Cost: $0
Maximum participants: 40
4. Turning Invasive Species into Baskets with Rhia Ironside
Join Rhia Ironside in this workshop for beginner weavers and learn how to weave a simple basket using English ivy (Hedera helix)—an invasive plant that disrupts native ecosystems and threatens habitat for many unique species. English Ivy is an accessible and forgiving material abundantly available in our bioregion.Participants will learn to create a melon- or egg-shaped basket, a versatile form that can be adapted to many sizes and styles. This foundational technique is an excellent entry point into the art of basket weaving.
Your instructor Rhia works in the field of restoration and has been making baskets for 5 years. She will show you that you don’t have to be an expert to make something beautiful and functional.
Time: 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Location: Geography Board Room, David Turpin Building, UVic (parking is free on Sundays)
Cost: $20
Maximum participants: 20
5. Native Seed Processing with the Native Plant Study Group
There is no time better than now to learn how to prepare native plant seeds for storage and sowing into habitat. This workshop offers a great foundation—or a refresher!—for identifying common native plant seeds, learning and practising seed care techniques for taking care of seeds, and sharing knowledge about using seeds in both restoration and gardening projects.
Seeds will be provided by the Native Plant Study Group (NPSG). Once we have completed our work, prepared seeds will be distributed to Indigenous-led restoration projects and used to support outreach within the broader community. Participants may also take home seeds for gifts or for their own planting projects.
The Native Plant Study Group (NPSG) was formed in spring of 1993 and continues as a small volunteer group of native plant enthusiasts with a strong interest in gardening, restoration, conservation, and other cultural values of native plants. We like to share ideas and learn from each other – everyone is welcome! No experience is necessary, but all levels of expertise are valued.
Time: 1:30 to 4:30 pm
Location: B255, David Turpin Building, UVic (parking is free on Sundays)
Cost: $15
Maximum participants: 20
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, Canada
CAD 0.00 to CAD 20.00
