Habitat Acquisition Trust

Update: Thanks to everyone who joined HAT at the Organic Islands Festival this past weekend and made it such a great event!

“The Organic Islands Festival and Sustainability Expo features fun and entertainment for all ages:

• Discover provocative, inspiring education about health and sustainability, and how to effectively make it part of everyday life.
• Shop and learn from 150 eco-friendly, local businesses, farms, fair trade and community organizations.
• Get expert advice on greening your home, garden, body and soul at the Expo and on the Main Stage.
• Sample organic food, fair trade coffee, chocolate, beverages and enjoy farm fresh produce from forty exhibits.
• Test drive a $1 million fuel cell vehicle. See sustainable technology demos at work."

Tags: organic islands | festival | viaduct | wetland | coffee | Glendale | garden

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Connect with conservation leaders in our community, including Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada; Ken Cossey, Tsawout Lands Manager; local MPs and MLAs, many other presenters, and representatives from local conservation organizations and governments.

The 10^th annual Conservation Connection forum brings together organizations working on environmental issues in our region to build partnerships and capacity.  This full day forum is organized by Habitat Acquisition Trust and sponsored by Continuing Studies Royal Roads University.  There will be mix of topical, facilitated discussions, and capacity-building workshops.  This year will include sessions on fundraising and planned giving, land use planning on First Nations land, linking academic research with conservation initiatives, an Open Space session, and “big picture” politics and local conservation with regional MPs and MLAs.

Any individual who works or volunteers for a not-for-profit organization is welcome to register under the Not-for-Profit rate.

For more information, keep an eye on our Conservation Connection page, where the agenda and speaker list will be posted.  Online registration at Royal Roads University will be open soon.

Tags: Elizabeth May | Ken Cossey | MLA | MP | rru | royal roads university | 2010 | connection | conservation | conservation connection

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• If you become a new monthly donor your donation will be matched dollar for dollar
• If you are already a monthly donor and you increase the amount you donate, it will also be matched

This is an incredible opportunity for HAT and we are seeking new monthly donations until the end of the summer. To become a monthly donor by credit card click on the "Donate Now" logo to the left (CanadaHelps.org). To set up an automatic bank account debit, or if you would like to increase the amount you currently donate, please call the office (250 995-2428).

Tags: monthly | donor | matching | pinch group | canadahelps

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It’s time to talk about survival in some of British Columbia’s rarest ecosystems. The endangered sand dunes of Island View Beach along the TIXEN/Cordova Shore are an exceptionally beautiful and rare part of the Saanich Peninsula. HAT has partnered with the Tsawout First Nation and CRD Parks, to host community events in July and August through our Cordova Shore Good Neighbours Project. The Project aims to engage landowners, families, and other park visitors in stewardship of sensitive natural areas along the Shore. The upcoming events for this summer include:

Eelgrass Mapping Workshop

Sunday, July 11th

9am to 2pm

Island View Beach Regional Park

Help SeaChange and Habitat Acquisition Trust (HAT) map rare and sensitive Eelgrass habitat during a super low tide! Seagrass Conservation Working Group Co-Chair Nikki Wright leads a workshop training session beginning at 9am. Find out why this unique park is home to threatened eelgrass "meadows" that nurture fish populations. Your family may see shore birds, hermit crabs, and moon snails residing along Island View's living beaches.  Participants please bring your GPS (optional) and beachwear. Meet us at the parking lot at the end of Homathko Road, left turn off Island View Road (drive one kilometre parallel to the beach and through the campground). Call 250 995 2428 for more information, or call 250 812 7467 on the date.

Birding at Low Tide 

Sunday, July 25

11am to 2pm

Island View Beach Regional Park

A morning low tide during the full moon attracts feeding shorebirds, and Island View Beach is one of the best places to see them. Visit the bird of prey demonstration and watch the ScallyWags Dog Agility Group stars run challenge courses (two show times: 12:30pm & 1:30pm). Observe wild birds through high-powered scopes in the beach and dunes, and visit the tidal touch tank. Get your free guide to gardening for birds. This special family event is co-hosted by Habitat Acquisition Trust (HAT) and CRD Parks.  Meet us at the CRD tents off Homathko Road, off Island View Road (drive one kilometre parallel to the beach and through the campground). Call 250 995 2428 for more information, or call 250 812 7467 on the date.

Super Dog Day

Saturday, August 14

11am to 2pm  

Island View Beach Regional Park

The dogs days of summer are super on the beach with your pet! See the amazing Wonder Dogs perform stunts at Island View Beach (two show times: 12:30pm & 1:30pm).  Take the dunes tour with biologists and other dog lovers to learn about the wild side of the seaside. Meet us at the CRD tents along Homathko Road, left off Island View Road (drive 400 metres parallel to the beach, parking before the campground entrance). Call 250 995 2428 for more information, or call 250 812 7467 on the date.

Tags: island | view | beach | events | good | neighbours | endangered | sand | dune | TIXEN | Cordova | Shore

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Spring is in the air, and the turtle’s mind turns to, well, chasing tail.  In this exclusive video  taken by HAT’s Land Care Coordinator Todd Carnahan, 2 male Western Painted Turtles try their luck with an adult female.  After being spurned, the males engage in combat to prove their worth, before being frightened from the scene by ducklings.

Beware the ducklings!

Tags: Western Painted Turtle | Mackenzie Lake | cavorting | spring | ducklings | fighting

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