The landscape will evolve from initial revegetation to mature vegetation. The goal is to develop self-sustaining ecosystems with an acceptable degree of biodiversity and a relative number of native species as early-stage targets.

The specific objectives to be achieved through the implementation of this plan are:

• Create conditions that will allow for re-colonization by native plant species;
• Local native seed sources will be used wherever practical to maintain the genetic integrity of reestablished plant communities;
• Creation of features to help support species, both vegetation and wildlife, known or reported to occur in the area; and,
• Monitor, within an adaptive management framework, to ensure that restoration treatments are effective and that program objectives are achieved.

Habitat enhancement will be conducted to construct landscape patterns to initiate the development of a functioning ecosystem.

Figure # 2 Landscape design sketch

Areas targeted for initial invasive species removal include six planters located on the upper level of the Sump House, a circular area around the stairs and small patches located over Haro Rd (See figures #2 – # 3 for details).

Figure # 3 shows the main area target for invasive species removal and planting

1) Site preparation

The project site will be altered to prepare it for additional human intervention during site preparation, activities include:

• Removing non-native species, debris and trash.
• Bringing inappropriate soils or substrates.

The Compacted soils would be loosened. After removing non-native plants (See Table # 3 for Invasive species targets and methods of removal), natural burlap will be placed to control weeds and help retain moisture. Topsoil will be placed over the burlap, followed by seeding and planting of native species and mulched to prevent erosion (See Table # 2 list for more details).

 

2)Native species revegetation

Disturbed areas will be immediately seeded or planted following the completion of site conditioning work. Vegetation species will be selected to match site-specific conditions. Seeds and plants would be purchased from Satin Flower Nursery. Species were chosen to overlap in bloom times from spring to fall, providing a range of flower sizes, shapes and colours. Depending on weather conditions, the stock should be planted in spring (March to April).

It is recommended to plant shrubs and trees on the edges of the creek to provide long-term stability, prevent erosion, and promote habitat connectivity.

The following native species are recommended for revegetating with the benefit of enhancing wildlife habitat values:

Table #2 List of natives species, habitat requirements and pollinator uses.

Species	Height	Flower colour	Flower season	Sun	Soil	Pollinators
Red Columbine (Aquilegia formosa)	Less than 1 m	Red	May-Aug	Sun to partial shade	Normal to moist	Bees, hummingbirds
Great camas (Camassia leichtlinii)	Less than 1 m	Blue	Apr-Jun	Sun	Normal to moist	Bees and butterflies
Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium)	1-1.5 m	Pink	Jun-Sep	Sun	Moist	Bees, hummingbirds
Woodland strawberry ()	Less than 1 m	White to cream	may-Aug	Partial shade	Normal to wet	Bees
Coastal strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis)	Up to 0.25 cm	White	Apr-Jun	Partial shade	Moist to Dry	Birds
Canada goldenrod (Solidago lepida)	Up to 1.5m	Yellow	Aug-Sep	Sun	Dry to moist	Bees
Douglas aster (Symphyotrichum subspicatum)	Less than 1m	Yellow-Purple	Jul-Sep	Sun to partial shade	Normal to wet	Bees and butterflies
Fringecup (Tellima grandiflora)	Less than 1m	White to cream	Apr-May	Partial shade	Normal to moist	Hummingbirds
Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis)	Up to 4 m	Pink	May-Jun	Sun	Moist	Bees, Birds and small mammals
Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)	Up to 0.30 cm	White to pink	Apr-Jun	Partial shade	Dry to moist	Butterflies, small mammals and hummingbirds

 

3) Invasive Plant Management

Invasive weed control should be ongoing management activities within the area. Table #2 contains a list of non-native species targeted during this project, priority, removal method and considerations. The preferred removal method is hand pulling at the seedling stage to control the spread in sensitive areas such as thin soil and mossy sites where native species are present. Dead plant material should be removed for safe disposal transported off-site wrapped in tarps to prevent the seeds from being distributed en route. For the first couple of years, mechanical treatments will require aggressive management to reduce weed density and create openings where desirable species can become established. Routine manual weeding should be conducted during the growing season (May to September) to ensure that all species are targeted and reduce the number of invasive plants that go to seed. Seeding and planting any disturbed areas with suitable native species (See Table #2) to prevent recolonization by invasive weeds. Before starting invasive species removal, the site should be inspected for avian activity, especially if removal happens during avian nesting season—Vancouver Island nesting is zone A1. The general nesting period approximately begins from March 30th until August 16th (Environment Canada, 2018). If a patch is confirmed as a nesting site for native birds, removal should be avoided until the end of the nesting season.

Table 3.  Non-Native Species targeted for removal from the site

Species	Priority	Removal method	Considerations
English Ivy (Hedera helix)	High	Vines growing as ground-cover: hand-pulled Vines growing up trees should be cut at about 1 m above ground level to kill the upper portions.	It is also important to pull individual seedlings before they become established.
Blackberry (Rubus armeniacus)	High	Manual control: loppers (can also be used as tongs to pull the cut cane out)	If patch is used as a nesting site for native passerine birds, remove the patch gradually and avoid nesting season.
Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum)	High	Hand pulling	CAUTION: Highly poison. Wear protective clothing and avoid direct skin contact with the plant.
Daphne (Daphne laureola)	Medium	Hand pulling	CAUTION: Wear protective clothing and avoid direct skin contact with the plant.
Common chickweed (Stellaria media)	Low	Hand pulling	It is important to removed from the site as it can reroot from stem nodes in moist areas.
Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)	High	Hand pulling	CAUTION: Wear protective clothing to avoid puncture wounds from the spines.
Red dead nettle (Lamium purpureum)	Low	Hand pulling	To control Purple Dead-nettle mulch in fall with layers of cardboard, followed by a layer of leaves.
Creeping buttercup (Ranuculus repens)	Medium	Dig out with a fork-type tool	Removing all of the runners, roots and growing points. Digging is most effective from fall to spring while the soil is moist and roots won’t break off as much.
European Holly (Ilex aquifolium)	Medium	Small plants (up to 3 centimetres in diameter) removed by hand can be effective when the soil is moist. Small seedlings should be pulled soon after they first appear. For sprouts that don’t come out easily by hand, digging around the plant with a shovel or pick will help loosen the soil

4)Maintenance

Regular maintenance is critical to the success of this enhancement plan. The importance of care during the plant establishment period cannot be overstated. The site should be inspected regularly to identify problems and maintain them as necessary. Maintenance may require:

• Controlling non-native and invasive species.
• Replacing plants.
• Reducing or preventing human disturbances.

5)Public engagement

Due to the active use of the site, installing interpretive signs is recommended to educate the public about sensitive ecosystem areas. High pedestrian traffic levels around the site would benefit the project because the educational signage will be prominent and read more people. The site is found inside the campus perimeter and will be an excellent opportunity for hands-on interaction from classes, including faculty and students.

Interpretive signage should include the history of the site and species names, including Coast Salish traditional names informed by community members.

The implementation and monitoring phases are great times to involve volunteers. Volunteers can help reduce implementation costs, provide community support, and bring a social dimension to work.

Special issues

The site should be monitored annually to control the possible recolonization of nonnative/invasive plants.

Monitoring program

This plan is based on an adaptive, phased management approach to ensure project goals and objectives are achieved over the long term. Monitoring the success of various revegetation treatments following preliminary phases will direct future treatments based on the lessons learned.

Setting Photo points stations.

Repeated photographs taken from the exact location are a quick and inexpensive way to assess project success qualitatively. Photo points combined with quantitative data provide a valuable assessment of progress toward meeting objectives.

Short term (0-5 years)

To compare the effectiveness of project implementation, monitoring plots could be established within the treated areas. Species, height and vigour of each planted individual should be recorded within each plot, as well as an estimate of existing vegetation cover. GPS coordinates, planting techniques, site preparation methods and photographs should also be recorded. Every year, the site should be re-measured to determine the most appropriate treatment methods for future phases.

Long term (5+ years) 

Natural regeneration will be underway by this time, and vegetation communities may start to change. The transects established to determine baseline conditions should be re-measured following treatment to assess the effectiveness of the treatments on vegetation. These attributes can be added in future monitoring studies as the physical and biological complexity of the ecosystem develop.

Literature Cited

Doucet, S. (2012). A valuation of Mystic Vale’s ecosystem services. (Unpublished directed studies report.) University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada. Retrieved from http://www.urbanecology.ca/documents/Student%20Technical%20Series/Doucet.p df

Environment Canada. (2018). Nesting Periods. Retrieved from:  https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/avoiding-harm-migratory-birds/general-nesting-periods/nesting-periods.html

GOERT (Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team). 2002. Best Practices for Invasive Species Management in Garry Oak and Associated Ecosystems: Evergreen Blackberry (Rubus laciniatus) and Himalayan Blackberry (Rubus armeniacus/discolor/procerus). Invasive Species, Publications and Resources, GOERT. Available at http://www.goert.ca/publications_resources/invasive_species.php

Harrop-Archibald, H. 2007. University of Victoria natural features study Bowker creek, Cunningham Woods, upper Hobbs Creek/Mystic Vale. (Unpublished report). University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada. Retrieved from https://www.uvic.ca/sustainability/assets/docs/Natural%20Features%20Study%20Ph ase%201.May31-07.pdf

McDadi, O., & Hebda, R. J. (2008). Change in traditional fire disturbance in a Garry Oak (Quercus garyana) meadow and Douglas-fir (Psuedotsuga menziesesii) mosaic, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada: A possible link with First Nations and Europeans. Forest Ecology and Management, 256, 1704-1710. M’Gonigle, M., & Starke, J. (2006). Planet U: Sustaining the world, reinventing the university. Gabriola Island, Canada: New Society Publishers.

M’Gonigle, M., & Starke, J. (2006). Planet U (p. 270). Gabriola Island: New Society Publishers.

University of Victoria. (2003). Campus Plan 2003 (Unpublished university policy document). University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada. Retrieved from https://www.uvic.ca/campusplanning/assets/docs/campusplan2003.pdf

Title:  Mystic Vale Sump House habitat enhancement, through invasive species removal and native species planting in Oak Bay District.

Study Area: Sump house located at Mystic Vale, Haro Road Right-of-Way, property of Oak Bay District. Lat: 48.45813° N Lon: 123.31015° W.  The total area is approximately 380 m².

Background

Many fragile ecosystems exist in Mystic Vale, which have declined over the past few decades due to urban development, invasion of non-native species and climate change. The proposed project aims to enhance the habitat of the Sump House and surrounding area, through the establishment of native plants on the Sump House planters. The proposed site will provide the perfect location for educating the public on the importance of native plants, and indigenous uses and deepen our understanding of the importance of the natural environment that surrounds us. The high levels of pedestrian traffic around the site would benefit the project because the educational signage will be highly visible and likely to be read by more people. The site is found inside the campus perimeter and will be a great opportunity for hands-on interaction from classes, including faculty and students.

Project Goals

-To enhance the habitat by removing invasive plants.

-To increase biodiversity by planting native species that will also attract wildlife.

-To improve riparian habitat by increasing stream-bank vegetation cover.

-To provide a place for community members to learn about plant knowledge.

-To create a place of quiet in a natural environment where people come to spend time in the presence of nature.

Project Targets

• Remove 70% of invasive species present, an estimated area of 266 m².
• Plant 10 varieties of native species on the sump house planters, an estimated area of 50 m².
• Enhance the riparian vegetation zone adjacent to the sump house, by planting an estimated area of 20 m².
• Engage community members by hosting one invasive species pull out and one nature walk
• Install signage with the history of the site and key species including Coast Salish traditional names informed by members of the community.

Cooperators

• Oak Bay District
• Restoration of Natural Systems Program
• Invasive Species Council of BC
• SER Studen Chapter Club
• Students in Community: Climate and Sustainability Initiative

Methods

Complete ground inspection form, which includes a site survey to identify types of ecosystems, site series, and vegetation composition. Map invasive species and design a management plan. Design of native vegetation plantings. Manual removal of invasive species. Planting of native species.

Timetable

Activities	Dates
Planning: -Proposal -Fundraising	February 15, 2022 February 28, 2022 March 1, 2022
Design: -Site assessment -prescription development	March 1 to 10, 2022
Implementation: -Clean up and site preparation -Seeding and native species planting -Signage installation	March 14 to 31, 2022 April 1 to 8 2022
Community Engagement Events: -Invasive Species Pull-out -Nature Walk	April 25, 2022 May 23, 2022
-Restoration report submission	August 30 2022

Deliverables

Prescription of restoration

Conceptual landscape design

Restoration project final report.