2009 ~ Millstream Watershed Good Neighbours Project
Millstream Watershed Good Neighbours 2009 (link to final project report coming soon) This project enhanced and protected one of Greater Victoria’s most important watersheds, and developed better community understanding of the green infrastructure benefits provided by healthy natural ecosystems. Habitat Acquisition Trust used our proven landowner contact methodology, public events, and targeted re-vegetation to increase community stewardship of Millstream Creek.Key funders of this project include EcoAction and the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund.Project partners include Capital Regional District,
2008 ~ Knockan Hill Good Neighbours Project
2007 ~ Rithet’s Bog Good Neighbours Project
HAT has been working with private landowners for habitat protection in Environmentally Significant Areas since 2001. From Mill Hill to Uplands Park, we’ve reached thousands of residents in the Capital Region.
In 2007 our award-winning Good Neighbours Project focuses on Rithet’s Bog Conservation Area and the surrounding neighbourhood. Over 500 Broadmead residents and local businesses will learn about this biodiversity wetspot! HAT is working with Saanich Parks and the Rithet’s Bog Conservation Society to pursue habitat restoration goals for this unique wetland.
The 2007 Project also features:
- water quality testing and catch basin research by Camosun students;
- Streamkeepers Training for local highschool students (photo below);
- Bog tours for park visitors and free nature slide shows for strata groups;
- Boy scouts building bird boxes, removing invasive plants;
- Neighbours painting yellow fish on storm drains to protect salmon;
- Free naturescaping prescriptions and flowering shrubs for landowners;
- Help for local businesses to reduce toxic effluents in grey water.
Did you know that years ago farmers put wide “bog shoes” on draught horses to plow the Rithet’s muck? Check out our Rithet’s Bog booklet (PDF) with bog history, wetland species, land care tips, and important contact information.
Streamkeepers instructor Susan Low checks a minnow trap with highschool students as bog visitors stare in awe.
The Rithet’s Bog Conservation Society found in 2003 that the Bog’s water quality could support salmon, but the Gabo Creek tunnel under the Pat Bay highway prevents their return to this former spawning habitat. Despite the lost habitat, Rithet’s Bog provides critical summer flows that help support salmon fry in the Colquitz River.
2005 ~ The Sharp-tailed Snake Project (ongoing)
Sharpies are a Species At Risk, which means that this rare and secretive snake may disappear from Canada due to habitat loss. Working with the Sharp-tailed Snake Recovery Team and herpetologist Christian Engelstoft, HAT contacts landowners on Pender Island and Southern Vancouver Island around some of the eight known populations 
of this tiny reptile. Our goal is to discover and protect their habitat by working with landowners to monitor potential snake habitat. It worked! Participating landowners in Metchosin, the Highlands, and South Pender Island have recently found resident sharp-tailed snakes through our monitoring project. HAT is now contacting residents in areas where Sharpies may live based on airphoto analysis of suitable habitat. Mayne, Pender, and Saturna Islands, as well as parts of the Highlands contain these areas of interest. Download the Sharpie Booklet (PDF) for more information.
Think you’ve seen one? Learn how to positively identify a Sharpie.
Here Herpetologist Christian Engelstoft places a cover object in potential habitat for a resident landowner to monitor for Sharpies. This method avoids disturbance of natural habitat features like rotten logs and rocks.
2006 Matson Conservation Area
In 2005 HAT brought the Good Neighbours Project to the Matson Conservation Area in Esquimalt. Complementing our work in 2003 at High Rock Cairn Park, this year's outreach focused on urban habitat protection and Garry oak ecosystems. The fun began in May when HAT launched the Matson Speakers Series featuring recognized experts like Bug researcher Claudia Copley from the Royal BC Museum and Songhees Land Manager Cheryl Bryce speaking on traditional native land use. Local West Bay residents were joined on summer excursions through the woods and helping to restore endangered wildflower meadows with the Friends of Matson Lands.
2005
- Colquitz River Linear Park
- Durrell Creek (tributary of Colquitz)
2004
- Mill Hill Regional Park, a 50-hectare preserve of Garry oak meadow in Langford.
2003
- Uplands Municipal Park, a popular deep soil Garry oak ecosystem in north Oak Bay;
- Swan Lake ~ Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary in Saanich, featuring marshy lowlands and rocky Garry oak meadows;
- Highrock Cairn Park, Esquimalt's largest area of intact Garry oak ecosystem.
- Esquimalt Lagoon, a federal migratory bird sanctuary in the City of Colwood;
- Oak Haven Municipal Park, a Garry oak rocky outcrop in the District of Central Saanich, where HAT now holds a conservation covenant;
- Mount Douglas Park, a large forested municipal park in the District of Saanich that contains Garry Oak rock outcrop habitat and mature Douglas-fir forests that shelter a creek to the beach.
2001
- The Tod Creek watershed was our first Good Neighbours Project. HAT helped to form the Friends of Tod Creek, a group of landowners committed to protecting their home habitats.
