WDCAG 2019 features a range of engaging field excursions running on March 8th. Sign up here.
Field Trips Available:
SurfRiders Cadboro Bay Beach Cleanup
$10 9:00am -12:00 noon Leaving from University Centre
The cultural / historical landscape stories of SṈIDȻEȽ (Tod Inlet): Resilience, Restoration & Celebration
$35 10:00am - 2:30pm Leaving from University Centre
Urbanism Victoria-Style – Challenges and Opportunities
$10 1:00-4:00 Leaving Centennial Square (fountain), downtown [note: you do not have to check in at UVic first]
NOTE: We have had to cancel the Fort Rodd Hill Field Trip previously advertized here.
Field Trip Descriptions & Overview:
SurfRiders Cadboro Bay Beach Cleanup
Enjoy the attractive 25-minute walk from UVic down to beautiful Cadboro Bay (48.458586, -123.293764), and discover that looks can be deceiving. While most folks walk on the moist tide receded foreshore, the backshore may contain much debris. Winter storms with high tides and winds bring in ocean debris including pre-consumer plastic pellets (‘nurdles’) and other plastics debris. On this field excursion, three (3) field activities will be offered. Approximately following NOAA’s Marine Debris Shoreline Survey Field Guide Vancouver Island SurfRiders will conduct the NOAA protocol plastics debris beach sampling demonstration and collection.There will also be sample collection methods for pre-consumer plastic pellets and a general beach clean-up. Participants can rotate through the three activities. Come and learn how to comb and document a beach clean-up.
Cost $10. Meet: 9:00 am at University Centre bus loop, Return: 12:00 noon (approx.). Gloves will be provided; be prepared for weather, to walk, and have great fun.
The cultural / historical landscape stories of SṈIDȻEȽ (Tod Inlet): Resilience, Restoration, Celebration
Visit SṈIDȻEȽ (pronounced sneed-kwith), Place of Blue Grouse, on beautiful Saanich Inlet.
The SṈIDȻEȽ Resiliency Project - SeaChange Marine Conservation Society will host a walkabout and hands-on restoration activity in SṈIDȻEȽ (Tod Inlet). We'll be introduced to the complex history of the area, some of the W̱SÁNEĆ place names, and the ongoing educational and restoration activities, both aquatic and terrestrial. We'll share food under a grand old bigleaf maple tree and work at one of the restoration sites. Interpretive walk and restoration work will be led byTiffany Śwxeloselwet Joseph and Sarah Jim. The tour covers a broad range of historical and intriguing information, touching on the history of the WSÁNEĆ First Nation & WSÁNEĆ legends, traditional plant uses, and stories about the old cement plant and workers.
Cost $35 (minimum 24 participants) includes transportation, light lunch. Meet: 10:00am at UVic, University Centre bus loop, Return: 2:30pm UVic, University Centre bus loop. Tools provided; be prepared for weather, to walk, work, and have great fun!
Urbanism Victoria-Style – Challenges and Opportunities
This excursion will have you wandering through Victoria’s historic downtown and adjacent areas to give you a taste of urbanism – Victoria-style. Learn about the historic development of the city's core through the eyes of an urban design professional. Learn what works and what doesn’t and about existing and planned projects to improve the urban realm and address pressing social and ecological challenges. The trip will commence at Centennial Square and proceed through the Old Town before wandering across the Johnson Street Bridge to visit Dockside Green, celebrated as one of the most innovative sustainable re-development projects in Canada, and Topsoil, Victoria’s first inner city urban agriculture business. The excursion will be led by a City of Victoria planner Anna Babicz and Urban Geographer Cam Owens.
Cost $10 – Meet: 1:00pm at Centennial Square (downtown Victoria), Return: 4:00pm downtown. Be prepared to walk and for the weather.