Ecosystem Restoration
Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites
The Garry Oak Learning Meadow
Under the guidance of lək̓ʷəŋən knowledge and with help from hundreds of volunteers, a one-acre area of lawn in the heart of Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites has been transformed into a thriving Garry Oak meadow and woodland demonstration site.
The meadow features a huge variety of native trees, shrubs and wildflowers that are naturally adapted to the region’s wet winters and long summer drought. The Garry Oak Learning Meadow is not a manicured garden; it is designed and maintained as a sustainable and evolving living landscape.
Endangered coastal oakscapes
The Garry Oak ecosystem was once a vast savannah of towering Garry Oak trees and wildflower meadows that sustained Coast Salish peoples for millennia. Garry Oak ecosystems have been reduced to less than 5% of their former extent in Canada.
Garry Oak ecosystems face many pressures. Before the practice was banned by early colonizers, First Nations burned Garry Oak meadows seasonally to keep the meadows open and to encourage the growth of staple food plants like Camas. A century of fire suppression has enabled native tree and shrub species like Douglas-fir and Snowberry to invade meadows, eventually transforming them into closed woodlands. When this happens, Garry Oak trees, and their associated carpets of wildflowers, are lost.
Heavy development pressure on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands has swallowed up much of the original habitat and left the remaining Garry Oak ecosystems highly fragmented. These remaining “islands” of habitat are much more vulnerable to introduced invasive species like Scotch Broom, Himalayan Blackberry, English Ivy, English Holly and Spurge-laurel. These invasive species take over and make growing conditions unsuitable for many native plants.
You can’t walk far at Fort Rodd Hill without spotting a deer. In the absence of natural predators like cougars and wolves, native Columbia Black-tailed Deer have become hyperabundant throughout the region. Overgrazing by deer removes understory forest vegetation, which has been linked to declines in songbird populations in the region.
A special meadow
Since 2011, Parks Canada has been collaborating with First Nations, volunteers and other collaborators to protect and restore Garry Oak ecosystems, known as Camas meadows by Coast Salish First Nations.
Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site was chosen for the location of the Garry Oak Learning Meadow because it is home to some of the rarest ecosystems in Canada.
How the meadow came about
A one-hectare site was selected within Fort Rodd Hill main field. Garry Oak ecosystems ecological processes were mimicked through the removal of invasive species and a select few trees, to imitate the effects of an eco-cultural burn.
How it started – with a lot of dirt and helping hands!
Ready to plant – from the nursery to the meadow, the seeds grew.
The first results – an oasis of blooming flowers for visitors to see.
Today - The Garry Oak Learning Meadow is a vibrant place to visit throughout the seasons.
Where we grow
Garry Oak and associated ecosystems are found within the Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site and the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, both managed by Parks Canada. The protection and recovery of at-risk species in these ecosystems are guided by collaboratively-developed recovery strategies and action plans (including Parks Canada multi-species action plans required under the Species at Risk Act). Special funding fuels conservation projects, focusing on ecosystem restoration and monitoring. Educating and fostering awareness about at-risk species and their habitats remains an important part of our work.
Over 10,000 native plants were grown from seed in an on-site Conservation Nursery and then planted within the fenced area of the Garry Oak Learning Meadow. Predominantly sourced from seeds hand-collected within the historical sites, the nursery has evolved into a highly productive hub. The Conservation Nursery now also supplies seedlings and plants for restoration activities in Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.
Another purpose of the Garry Oak Learning Meadow and Conservation Nursery at Fort Rodd Hill is to increase the availability of culturally important species. Parks Canada takes direction from First Nations on which species of interest Nations would like to have more readily available and welcomes First Nations partners to harvest these species to support cultural and ceremonial practices in-community (e.g., Camas pit cooks, provision of medicines to community Elders). Parks Canada also grows a variety of other native species to support Indigenous-led restoration projects on First Nations lands and has been directly involved in planting these species during community restoration days.
Sharing knowledge
In the summer, interpreters rove the Learning Meadow and share interesting facts about its inhabitants.
The Garry Oak Learning Meadow also offers a self-guided interpretive trail, passing by educational panels and plant signs. An inviting resting area with two Parks Canada Red Chairs and a picnic table provides a stunning view of the meadow and Lower Battery.
In the Learning Meadow, visitors can observe and learn about the various plant species that make up this ecosystem, including wildflowers, grasses, and other native vegetation. They can also learn about the importance of pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, in supporting these plants and maintaining the health of the ecosystem.
In addition to its educational value, the Garry Oak Learning Meadow also serves as an important habitat for many species of birds, insects, and other wildlife. By exploring and appreciating this unique ecosystem, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the importance of preserving and protecting natural habitats and biodiversity.
NOTE: The Learning Meadow can be accessed via two entry gates. The first one is immediately on the left after entering the historical sites. Our recommendation is to use the second gate, located under a Coast Salish carved arch about 150 metres from the Welcome Centre. This second entrance will give you a better appreciation of the Coast Salish art. The 100-metres path between the entrance of the site and the start of the learning meadow trail has a maximum 2% slope (mostly flat) and is packed gravel. You will find a resting area with the two Red Chairs on a slightly uneven stone pavement. This path is maintained year-round. If you encounter an obstacle, such as fallen tree branches, please report it to one of our staff members at fortrodd@pc.gc.ca.
Did you know?
Garry Oak ecosystems are referred to as Kwetlal (Camas) food systems in some of the local Coast Salish cultures. They are home to many medicinal plants and traditional foods. Harvested Camas bulbs, Chocolate Lily and other root vegetables were slowly cooked in pit cooks—a traditional method of food preparation used by Coast Salish people.
Some say Camas bulbs taste like chestnuts!
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