Consideration for the natural environment and the impact that our human built environment has on nature is one of my most important values as a person, and I will always be considering the environment when decisions are made in our municipality of Central Saanich.  We are privileged to live in an area with a variety of ecosystems and natural assets that are woven into a complex web of life.  I’m going to focus on the value of trees in this post.

The W̱SÁNEĆ Nation stewarded the land and waters within Central Saanich prior to colonization around 1848.  While they cleared some of the land, we know that settlers with the goal of establishing farms did a significant of clearing of trees.  As settlements grew, trees were cleared for our towns and homes.   We can’t undo that history, but we can look at the current environmental status on the Saanich Peninsula and use that as a baseline going forward. 

I spent my 35-year career in the provincial government working with trees: growing seedlings for reforestation, working with seed orchards that produce the seed to grow the seedlings, managing systems, creating policy and being part of a team that worked on climate change science and policy for reforestation. 

Trees play important roles in our urban and rural communities in Central Saanich.  Trees support a complex web of life, they provide habitat for a wide range of species, including birds, mammals, and insects, and are essential for maintaining biodiversity. Trees contribute to the forest's ability to absorb carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate climate change.

I’m sure that everyone has noticed the difference during the last few summers between the temperatures we feel when under a tree canopy compared to being in paved areas without shade. 

As a personal example of planting trees, when we moved into our current home in 1992, there were no trees on the property.  Our backyard had a very wet area, so after consultation with experts and a local nursery, we planted 3 deciduous trees that soak up the water in that area and provide us with shade and a buffer between neighbouring homes.  Alongside our gravel driveway we have numerous trees:  a “volunteer” 35-year-old Douglas fir, an Arbutus that I planted as a seedling and Garry Oak trees where local acorns sprouted 25 years ago.

Planting trees of appropriate species on our own properties and on public land can have numerous benefits.  A helpful tool can be found in this recent UBC article on “CanopyFit” New UBC tool helps cities plant trees where they’re needed most.

For rural areas of Central Saanich with open spaces, there is a Forests Canada program Plant Trees | Forests Canada for support plant a minimum of 500 trees.

There is lots of work that can be done to conserve and enhance our ecosystems, and we need to make this work a significant priority in the near future.  I would like to see Central Saanich Council and staff collaborate with North Saanich and Sidney on a “Bioregional Framework for the Saanich Peninsula” as developed by the Saanich Peninsula Environmental Coalition Saanich Peninsula Enviromental Coalition.

Photos taken in Centennial Park, home to large Western Red Cedars, Douglas Firs and Big Leaf Maple trees, with ḰENNES creek.