Category: Blog

Wishing everyone a Happy Earth Day!

We are incredibly fortunate to live on Vancouver Island, with an abundance of nature at our doorsteps. Get outside and enjoy your local parks.

Established by resolution of the United Nations General Assembly, the International Day of Forests celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests for the benefit of current and future generations. Action includes local and national community-based events such as tree planting, film festivals or art shows.

Forests play a critical role in climate change.

Deforestation results in 12-18% of the world’s carbon emissions — almost equal to all the CO2 from global transportation. Internationally, we lose forest cover equivalent to the landmass of England (13 million hectares or 32 million acres) every year. This also results in the loss of the plants and animals these forests support — 80% of all terrestrial biodiversity.

Equally critical, healthy forests are one of the world’s primary “carbon sinks.” As they grow, trees sequester carbon from the atmosphere, transmuting it into solid matter to form their structures.

Today, forests cover more than 30% of the world’s land and contain more than 60,000 tree species.

On Vancouver Island, we live in a temperate rain forest — one of several in the world.

Our Pacific Northwest temperate rain forest supports mixed coniferous and broad-leaf trees — most notably the western red cedar, hemlock, and spruce, as well as broadleaf maple (not the same maple as in eastern Canada). In addition, the moist climate produces a lush forest floor of ferns, mosses, fungi, shrubs and berries. Many native plants — notably cedar and salal — had historical uses by our indigenous people.

Get outdoors and enjoy forest-bathing.

For most of the population here, the most accessible place to soak up the forest is China Beach (Sooke), but that involves a long drive from Victoria. For a truly original forest of thick moss and giant trees — some of the last standing — it can be worth it for the trip to Avatar Grove (Port Renfrew) or Cathedral Grove (Hwy 4 on the way to Tofino). Of course, it’s best for the environment to stay local and just enjoy your closest forest or wooded area for some “green therapy.”

With pandemic restrictions easing comes a new optimism to enjoy our local parks with family and friends.

Please consider these guidelines for healthy people and parks:

• If you are sick, stay home. Visit another time.
• If a parking lot is full, the park is at capacity; please do not park on road sides or overflow.
• Be considerate of physical distancing between yourself and other groups.
• Bring your own hand sanitizer and practice appropriate hand and respiratory hygiene.
• Keep pets on a leash.
• Garbage facilities may be limited. If you pack it in, pack it out.

Parks Canada

Parks Canada camping reservations for the 2022 season began in January. On Vancouver Island, this applies to:

• Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site:
  oTENTik Camping
• Gulf Islands National Park Reserve:
  Smonecten (McDonald), Prior Centennial, Sidney Spit and backcountry camping
• Pacific Rim National Park Reserve:
  Green Point, West Coast Trail, Broken Group Islands (backcountry), Keeha Beach

Source / Reservations: Parks Canada

BC Provincial Parks & Campgrounds Open

BC Provincial Parks have been mostly open since May 2020. Select parks remain closed due to ongoing health and safety concerns of local communities. BC Parks will otherwise be returning to standard operations for the 2022 season.

The Discover Camping reservation system opens March 21, 2022.

Source: BC Parks / Reservations

Capital Regional District (CRD) Parks Open

All Capital Regional District (CRD) facilities are open and programs are running following provincial direction.

Source: CRD Parks

The Discover Camping reservation system opens March 21, 2022.

Campsite reservations can be made up to two months in advance of your arrival date. Group campsite bookings will be available from March 24th.

Visit discovercamping.ca

Join local Victoria radio station The Zone @ 91-3 and Surfrider Foundation Vancouver Island for their next cleanups of our local beaches. Combing The Coast beach cleanups happen on the second Sunday of every month from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.

Everyone welcome to volunteer; supplies/equipment and light snacks provided.

2022 Beach Cleanups

Sunday, April 10
French Beach

Sunday, May 8
Port Renfrew Beach

Sunday, June 12
Island View Beach

Surfrider Foundation’s mission is ensuring the protection and enjoyment of Vancouver Island’s waves and beaches through strong beach clean-ups, waste analysis and data collection action.