In late February, the Greater Victoria Green Team (GVGT) partnered with the Town of View Royal to clear a massive amount of invasive species out of Portage Park.
The local group brought together youth and many other community members at Portage Park and for two days removed many invasive plants from the area.
The group says that the immediate goal for this environmental action was to free trees and native plants from invasive ivy.
On day one, 25 students from Grades 6 and 7 at Shoreline Community Middle School came out and contributed.
These students spent the morning learning about invasive plants, the importance of stewardship and caring for natural spaces in their own community.
The following day, over 50 community members of all ages came out to contribute, including seniors and young families.
“Activities like this show that stewardship is really about people,” said Sara Schwartz, program manager with the GVGT.
“When community members come together, they are not just improving a park. They are building friendships, discovering what it means to belong and realizing that we are part of nature, not separate from it.”
Together, over the course of the two days, the youth and community members removed 19 cubic metres of invasive plants—approximately 118 bathtubs-full.
In addition to learning and making an impact, many community members who participated noted that the initiative allowed them to connect with new people over their shared values of environmental protection.
“Working in close proximity to others facilitated easy conversations,” said Robin Granewall, one of the volunteers at the event.
“I believe fostering young participants lays the groundwork for perpetual involvement. Also, what a great antidote to our digital world.”
Now that Portage Park has received some love from the GVGT, the group now looks ahead to continue their momentum throughout March and into Earth Month in April.
To learn more and sign up for upcoming activities visit the GVGT website.
