Help degraded Garry oak areas by collecting seeds

The Nature Conservancy of Canada invites volunteers to attend a conservation volunteer event in the Cowichan Valley.

  • Aug. 10, 2016 4:00 p.m.
People have a chance this week to join the Camas Collection Crew at the Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve.

People have a chance this week to join the Camas Collection Crew at the Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve.

This week, get ready to collect some seeds.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada invites volunteers to attend a conservation volunteer event in the Cowichan Valley.

On Wednesday, Aug. 10, join the Camas Collection Crew at the Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve on Maple Bay Road. Volunteering at this former farm site, which is normally closed to the public to protect the sensitive ecosystems, gives community members the chance to experience one of the world’s last havens for globally-endangered Garry oak trees.

The upper meadow and woodland have been extensively restored, with thriving populations of Garry oaks, black hawthorns and beautiful wildflowers, including shooting stars, spring gold and camas.

It’s the perfect time of year for camas seed collection. The seeds will be relocated to degraded areas to continue the restoration of this landscape.

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

New volunteers of all ages are welcome.

Visit conservationvolunteers.ca for more events happening in August and September.

Cowichan Valley Citizen