Bloomin' flowers at the Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve
In Bloom Wildflower Festival, Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve, BC (Photo by NCC)
Here in the BC Region of the Nature Conservancy of Canada, one of our favourite conservation projects is the Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve. It's a favourite because there is so much that goes on there — university research, Conservation Volunteers events, Coast Salish knowledge sharing, community festivals, Canada World Youth projects and more.
It's also beloved for the dramatic transformation via intense restoration efforts that has happened over the past 15 years. What was once overrun with Scotch broom, agricultural grasses and other invasive plants is now a vibrant and natural Garry oak meadow and woodland.
You may have heard about the Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve, or seen pictures of the wildflower meadows ablaze in pink-blue-purple-green each spring. But chances are most of our readers have not had the opportunity to visit preserve in person.
Well, in lieu of seeing this beautiful conservation area first-hand, you can get a sense of what the fuss is all about via video in this feature story that aired on Shaw TV last week (see right).
And for those of you on Vancouver Island, our annual In Bloom Wildflower Festival is coming up on Saturday May 9. This family-friendly event is a great way to explore the Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve while learning about the many exciting aspects of this important conservation area.
About the Author
Lesley Marian Neilson works for the BC Region of the Nature Conservancy of Canada as the communications director.
