Blog
Research, news & community stories
Explore urban forests, neighbourhood planning, and the many species that share our city—with updates from community events and a squirrel’s perspective on civic life.
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HEAT DOME ANNIVERSARY – CALL FOR LETTER SIGNING by June 23rd, 2025
CALL FOR LETTER SIGNING FROM: David Quigq (Sierra Club). Dr. Melissa Lem and I will be doing a press conference/media interviews on Tuesday June 24th at 11am in front of Eby’s office in Kits. That’s…
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SENSITIVE ECOSYSTEM POLICY FOR GONZALES Neighbourhood.
(PROPOSED) June 4, 2019 The Gonzales neighbourhood contains the second highest remaining forest cover in Victoria (after Rockland). Gonzales also contains intact understory and sensitive ecosystems to support a range of birds and wildlife associated…
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A Rally to Save the Centennial Sequoia. June 12th at 12 noon (lunchtime rally) at Centennial Square, City of Victoria Municipal Hall
The inaugural event attended by Squirrel for Mayor was at “A Rally to Save the Centennial Sequoia,” planned by “Friends of Centennial Square,” a group of residents from the City of Victoria. The rally was aimed at protesting the…
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A Freedom of Information response revealed that City of Victoria staff stated in February 2024 that none of the trees in Centennial Square met the criteria for removal.
Originally posted at CRD WATCH A Freedom of Information response revealed that City of Victoria staff stated in February 2024 that none of the trees in Centennial Square met the criteria for removal.The document provides…
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Climate funding Victoria’s Centennial Square and the Sequoia tree.
At the January 23rd Council of the Whole Meeting, Councillor Matt Dell shared his experiences of tree removal and replacement regarding the need to advance a city, thus emphasizing the need for context in urban…
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Historical Maps
The urban area of the City of Victoria is the Garry oak ecosystem (GOE)–– a fact often left out of discussions on the urban forest. The Garry oak ecosystem, or Kwetlal food system in the ləkwW əŋən…
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Council Member Motion – Urban Forest Canopy
Council Member MotionFor the Committee of the Whole Meeting of April 3rd, 2025 Summary: Council Member Motion – Urban Forest Canopy At the April 3, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting, Councillor Marg Gardiner brought forward a…
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City of Victoria’s 2019-2023 LiDAR vegetation change detection analysis
City of Victoria Tree Canopy Using LiDAR data to Measure the City’s Tree Canopy. LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology uses laser pulses to create detailed 3D models of the environment. The City of Victoria’s…
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Presentation to Council- Urban Forest and Natural Assets, City of Victoria
Presentation: Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 6:30 P.M. Council Chambers E. Request to Address Council E.7 Urban Forest and Natural Assets (LiDAR) update for Draft OCP “Victoria 2050” Video Link: https://pub-victoria.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=22a0de46-6b14-4887-83fe-114fa79ced8d&Agenda=Merged&lang=English&Item=29&Tab=attachments Documents: The City of Victoria has collected urban tree canopy data over…
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VCAN Community Mapping Project
A conversation about the distribution of biodiversity within and between the City of Victoria’s neighbourhoods. To complement the City’s excellent inventory of all trees on public land, the Victoria Community Association Network (VCAN) has involved…