Victoria Natural History Society
Green Spaces Project
Protecting Green Spaces
on Lower Vancouver Island
The Green Spaces
Project (GSP) was a special project of the Victoria Natural History
Society. In 1997, with the aid of volunteers and financial assistance
from various funding sources, the GSP began the task of identifying
and mapping the undeveloped land remnants and inventorying natural values
within the Capital Regional District. After 10 years of inventories
and advocating for nature, the Green Spaces project wrapped up in early
2007. However, their work will remain a legacy for VNHS and other conservation
organizations for years to come. Special thanks are due to the leaders
of the GSP, Tony Embleton and Norm Mogensen. The VNHS Board remains
committed to conservation and will continue to support the vision of
the GSP.
Our Vanishing Green Spaces
Population
in the Capital Regional District is expected to increase by 33% over
the next 25 years. Traditionally, land prices have increased accordingly.
The longer we put off protecting and reclaiming ecologically significant
areas, the more costly it will become
The GSP Vision
By the year 2020
an ecologically sustainable system of green/blue spaces for the capital
regional district will be in place, protecting and maintaining the full
range and diversity of natural ecosystems and the flora and fauna that
exist today.
The Green Spaces Project Goals
- To identify and
inventory the ecological values of all existing or potential natural
areas in the Capital Regional District; and
- To create a high
level of awareness on the part of the public, politicians and landowners
of the importance of natural green spaces to our environment
- To have the
importance of the natural values contained in the reports be understood
and the protective zoning of these areas to be incorporated into all
land use planning in each municipality and the Capital Regional District.
The Victoria Natural
History Society's Green Spaces Project has identified the following
locations, from Albert Head Lagoon to Wolf Island, as “Ecologically
Sensitive Areas” (ESA). A map of Greater Victoria below identifies
by site number the ESA areas.
You will see that
the summary information available for most of the Ecologically Sensitive
Areas is scant with the information being collected in the early and
mid 1990’s. We would like your help to update the information provided
for each of the ESA locations. It would be valuable, if you know some
of listed ESA sites, to offer updated information for the summary tables.
You may also submit information on new sites that you believe should
be included in the inventory.
Please use this
form to submit your information.
How did the Green
Spaces Project create awareness of the importance of natural green spaces?
- Education and
collaboration of government agencies, private organizations, and stakeholders
- Collaborate with
local groups to assist them in presenting this information to government
agencies, private organizations, and other stakeholders
- Through ecological
inventories identify features of a green space and inform stakeholders
of their significance. Government agencies, private land owners and
other stakeholders are asked to protect those land parcels that have
been identified as of ecological significance
How were lands
selected for inventory?
Any undeveloped
land parcels, large or small, that appear to be of ecological significance
was inventoried. Those containing older forests, Garry oak woodlands
and wetlands are of particular interest. Land parcels that appear to
have the highest ecological value or are threatened with development
received priority.
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