Habitat Acquisition Trust

Publications

NEW:

Visual ID Guide to the Blue-grey Taildropper (2011) (pdf, 120kb)

Blue-grey Taildropper 2012 Report: Results of Surveys & Landowner Contact (2012) (pdf, 2.4mb)

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. Also download the info page below:

INFO PAGE FOR GARDENING WITH NATIVE PLANTS guide

Nursery list, recommended demonstration gardens, garden designs, websites, books, and more.

Research and Policy

Blue-grey Taildropper 2012 Report: Results of Surveys & Landowner Contact (2012) (pdf, 2.4mb)

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).

Western Painted Turtle Surveys and Stewardship Activities on Vancouver Island in 2010 (2011) ( PDF 3.14mb)

The Pacific Coast Population of the Western Painted Turtle is listed as Endangered federally and is on the provincial Red List of species at risk in British Columbia. The distribution of these turtles encompasses the southwestern part of the province, where their habitats are threatened by urban development, forestry, and other human activities that alter wetlands or associated terrestrial habitats. Even populations in protected areas are not necessarily safe, unless human activities are managed to take into account the species’ needs.

Surveys for the Blue-grey Taildropper and other Gastropods at Risk with focus on Capital Regional District Parks, Fall 2010 (2010) (1200 kb pdf)

The Blue-grey Taildropper is an endangered slug whose range in Canada is limited to a few southern Vancouver Island locations. HAT surveyed for Blue-grey Taildroppers in the fall of 2010, focusing on CRD Parks.

Western Painted Turtle Surveys and Stewardship Activities on Vancouver Island in 2009 (2010) ( PDF 6.6mb)

During the 2009 field season, we continued efforts begun in 2008 to better delineate the distribution of the turtles on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands and to work with landowners on stewardship activities. Specific objectives in 2009 were to survey water bodies with suitable habitat to fill in distribution gaps, to revisit known sites to identify nesting areas and clarify habitat use, and to identify threats and prepare guidelines to help landowners and managers protect turtles on their lands. A further objective was to solicit information on turtle sightings through public outreach and to involve private landowners and land managers in stewardship activities.

Western Painted Turtle Surveys on Southern Gulf Vancouver Islands 2008 (2008) (PDF 3.3MB)

The Western Painted Turtle, Chrysemys picta bellii (Pacific Coast Population) was designated as endangered in Canada in 2006. The distribution and ecology of the species west of the Coastal Mountains are poorly known, hindering conservation efforts. The objectives of this study were to carry out surveys in selected areas on Vancouver Island and southern Gulf Islands to fill in data gaps in distribution and habitat use and to identify threats. A further objective was to solicit information on turtle sightings through public outreach and to involve private landowners and land managers in stewardship activities.

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

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) (PDF 3.6mb)

An executive summary of the Summary Mapping Report.

HAT Manual: Protecting Natural Areas in the Capital Region (2004) (PDF 764KB)

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 (PDF 3.1MB)

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.