Category: Letters

21 September 2021

To Saanich Mayor and Council
council@saanich.ca

The Victoria Natural History Society is a community organization that has supported those with an interest in
nature in our region since 1944, and we currently have approximately 750 members, many of whom are
residents of Saanich. Our organization has three main objectives:
• to stimulate an active interest in natural history,
• to study and protect flora and fauna and their habitats,
• to work with other societies and like bodies having interests in common with this Society.

We are writing at this time to provide our strong support to the Royal Oak Community Association, and the
Beaver Elk Environmental Stewards among others in their call to protect the biodiversity and to halt the loss of
natural space in the area where the Doral Forest Park development is proposed. These organizations have ably
outlined many of the critical issues at play on this property and adjacent to it. We will just highlight a couple
here.

There are multiple, very important reasons why development of this area has to be re–considered. The wetlands,
ponds and drainages are habitat for multiple federally listed species and provide passage for others. In addition,
there is no municipal requirement, plan or method to monitor the effectiveness of the stormwater management
system outlined in the Doral application. Saanich staff noted the aquifer could be affected by construction and
that “while risk appears low, water quality at Elk/Beaver Lake could be impacted.” Even a low risk is
unconscionable given the size and importance of these lakes to wildlife, fish and humans.

The area is part of the extremely rare Coastal Douglas–fir biogeoclimatic zone, of which less than 3% remains
across its original distribution and every part of it is critical. The forest that runs from Elk Lake Drive to Beaver
Beach contains many of the oldest trees and is the least impacted and largest section of relatively intact original
forest habitat in the park.

We share this region with more than 100 endangered species, including several that are listed under the federal
Species at Risk Act. It is with this collective and critical stewardship role in mind that we are writing today
about any additional loss of natural areas/greenspaces in Saanich and further impacts to existing greenspaces
through development.

Yes, high density housing is required, but not in an area of high biodiversity and habitat value particularly
adjacent to one of the most valued protected areas within the CRD.

Please reconsider rezoning and developing this land. Saanich “strives to live in harmony with each other and the
environment. We aim to further our citizens’ economic, physical and social well–being.” This development will
not further these goals.

Sincerely,

Philip Lambert
President
Victoria Natural History Society
president@vicnhs.bc.ca

19 September 2021

Dear Colwood Mayor and Council,

RE: TWO PROPOSED AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT BESIDE HAVENWOOD PARK

The Victoria Natural History Society is a community organization that has supported those with an
interest in nature in our region since 1944, and we currently have approximately 750 members,
many of whom are residents of Colwood. Our organization has three main objectives:
• to stimulate an active interest in natural history,
• to study and protect flora and fauna and their habitats,
• to work with other societies and like bodies having interests in common with this Society.

Along with the other municipalities in the Capital Regional District, the City of Colwood is located
in one of the top three most endangered ecosystems in Canada. We share this region with more
than 100 endangered species, including several that are listed under the federal Species at Risk Act.
It is with this collective and critical stewardship role in mind that we are writing today about any
additional loss of natural areas/greenspaces in Colwood and further impacts to existing
greenspaces through development in your city.

Unlike other municipalities in the region, Colwood has almost no protected areas that belong to the
City itself. This lack of foresight by previous councils can be ameliorated by current mayor and
council through the intentional protection of additional areas, as well as reducing impacts to the
few existing parks the City does manage. Greenway corridors are a further means of creating a
protected areas network in an otherwise urbanized landscape; allowing for wildlife movement as
well as providing a trail system for resident to explore the out–of–doors, exercise, and recharge
their spirits. The positive effect on mental well–being of greenspace is increasingly being
recognized through many scientific studies.

Of grave concern to the Victoria Natural History Society is the continued loss of native vegetation
and the significance of these natural areas for supporting nesting birds, native pollinators
(butterflies and bees), and for providing refuge and food for a myriad of other animals. We hope
you, as mayor and council, will make it a goal of your term to have no net loss of greenspace, and
instead, look for ways to add more protected natural areas in the City of Colwood. This will
provide some balance to the areas of concrete and asphalt in your community.

Sincerely,
Philip Lambert
President
Victoria Natural History Society
president@vicnhs.bc.ca

September 10, 2021

Mayor and Council, Colwood

COLWOOD WATERFRONT PLAN

This letter is to let you know that the board of the Victoria Natural History Society has reviewed the
draft plans for the Colwood waterfront. While we recognize that there is pressure to exploit the
waterfront for recreation, particularly with a growing population, we are concerned about overuse and
abuse. The Esquimalt Lagoon and its federal Migratory Bird Sanctuary are particularly sensitive
ecological features of southern Vancouver Island. Shorebirds and other birds need appropriate spaces,
particularly in migration, with the least possible human presence.

The plan recognizes the compelling need to manage the area – traffic calming measures and steering
people onto paths, for instance – and mitigate the damage, but it does nothing to discourage people
who might not be sensitive to the critical nature of the lagoon from frequenting the area. We are
particularly concerned with increased infrastructure such as a canoe launch and a viewing platform
into the Lagoon, and washrooms and other facilities near the bridge.

We like that you plan to focus food trucks and entertainment at Pithouse Park and, in time, at Royal
Beach. However, we ask that there be a moratorium on food trucks and other intensive activities until
the other areas are developed.

On two other points: The VNHS is hearing from a lot of our members that they are concerned, even
alarmed, at the plans for the Colwood waterfront. And finally, we have heard that the survey
concerning the waterfront is frustratingly difficult to access.


Sincerely,
Philip Lambert
President
Victoria Natural History Society
president@vicnhs.bc.ca