Get the most recent HAT NEWSLETTER:

HAT 2013 Spring Chat(2013) (500KB PDF)  HAT's Seasonal Update

You can also view past issues of HAT Chat

Gardening with Native Plants (2013) (1.1MB PDF)

Many Vancouver Island residents want attractive, easy to maintain, drought tolerant gardens that attract birds and butterflies. This guide will help you improve your garden: the best plants, design tips, recommended nurseries, and other expert recommendations are inside.

Species at Risk Guides

Sharp-tailed Snake Brochure(560KB PDF)
Sharp-tailed Snake ID-key(760KB PDF) (Created by the Minisitry of Environment) 
Western Painted Turtle ID Guide(3.3MB PDF) (Created by the Ministry of Environment) 

*NEW* Blue-grey Taildropper Habitat Guide (2013) (850KB PDF)
Visual ID Guide to the Blue-grey Taildropper(2012) (5MB PDF)

Research & Policy Reports

Western Painted Turtle Surveys and Stewardship Activities on Vancouver Island in 2012 (2013) (1.5MB PDF)

Western Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii) on the Pacific coast are endangered in Canada (COSEWIC 2006) and on the provincial Red List of species at risk in British Columbia. The turtles occur within populated and highly modified landscapes in the southwestern part of the province, where they face a multitude of threats ranging from wetland loss and degradation to road kill. Conservation efforts are hindered by incomplete knowledge of the species’ distribution, habitat use, and nesting ecology, which is needed for directing stewardship efforts.

Previous Years' Reports
Western Painted Turtle Surveys and Stewardship Activities on Vancouver Island in 2011 (2012) (1.5MB PDF) 
Western Painted Turtle Surveys and Stewardship Activities on Vancouver Island in 2010 (2011) (1.5MB PDF) 
Western Painted Turtle Surveys and Stewardship Activities on Vancouver Island in 2009& (2010) (1.5MB PDF) 
Western Painted Turtle Surveys on Southern Gulf & Vancouver Islands 2008 (2008) (4MB PDF)

Blue-grey Taildropper 2012 Report: Results of Surveys & Landowner Contact (2013) (1MB PDF)

The Blue-grey Taildropper (Prophysaon coeruleum) is a small forest-dwelling slug native to Western North America. In Canada, it is known only from scattered sites on southern Vancouver Island, where it occurs in remnant forest patches within a largely urbanized landscape. Here we report on surveys for terrestrial gastropods (land snails and slugs), focusing on the Blue-grey Taildropper, carried out in autumn 2011 within the Capital Regional District (CRD).

Previous Years Reports
Blue-grey Taildropper 2011 Report: Results of Surveys & Landowner Contact (2012) (1MB PDF)
Surveys for the Blue-Grey Taildropper and Other Gastropods at Risk with Focus on the Capital Regional District Parks, Fall 2010 (2010) (1.1MB pdf)

Urban Forest Stewardship Initiative Summary Mapping Report:  Tree Cover and Impervious Surface 1986-2005. (2008) (36MB PDF)

On behalf of the Urban Forest Stewardship Initiative, HAT used GIS technology and orthophotography to map changes in tree cover and impervious surface areas from Sooke to Sidney region.  CITYgreen software was used to calculate the monetary value trees in our region provide in green ecosystem services, such as stormwater retention, and carbon sequestration.

Urban Forest Stewardship Initiative Mapping Report: Executive Summary (2008) (3.5MB PDF)

An executive summary of the Summary Mapping Report.

HAT Manual: Protecting Natural Areas in the Capital Region (2004) (1MB PDF)

The HAT Manual is designed for people who want to protect natural areas, but are not sure of the options open to them. These people might be local government decision-makers, developers, members of conservation organizations and individuals who are trying to make a difference.

Building Homes & Habitats: A Resource Guide (3.75MB PDF) (created by wild garden Party)

This resource guide is serves as a how-to manual about the project. It is the hope of the Wild Garden Party that it will be helpful to those landscaping Habitat for Humanity sites, as well as other subdivisions, schoolyards, and private properties.

Annual General Reports

HAT's Annual Report summarizes our activities and finances over our fiscal year (Nov 1 to Oct 31).

2011-2012 Annual Report(PDF) & 2011-2012 Financial Statements(PDF)
2010-2011 Annual Report (PDF) & 2010-2011 Financial Statements(PDF)
2009-2010 Annual Report(PDF) & 2009-2010 Financial Statements(PDF)
2008-2009 Annual Report (PDF)
2007-2008 Annual Report(PDF)
2006-2007 Annual Report(PDF)
2005-2006 Annual Report (PDF)
2004-2005 Annual Report(PDF)

HAT's By-laws and Constitution

HAT's By-Laws (1MB PDF)
HAT's Constitution(1MB PDF)

Good Neighbours Landowner Contact Projects

Knockan Hill Good Neighbours Final Report(2008) (2.5MB PDF)
Colquitz Watershed Good Neighbours Final Report(2005) (3.75 PDF)