NatureHood Designation in Victoria, BC
Jill Sturdy, NatureHood Program Manager
Earlier this week, the Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, unveiled a plaque that officially designated the grounds of Government House a Nature Canada NatureHood site.
Bob Peart, Nature Canada’s Board of Directors Chair and the Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
As a Nature Canada Honourary Women for Nature member, Her Honour has a strong passion for encouraging children to explore nature. Thanks to her leadership, the NatureHood plaque will help inspire visitors of the Gardens to explore and connect with nature.
The Government House gardens are located on the traditional territory of the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations. Open to the public year-round, they are an ideal place to inspire BC residents and visitors to connect with nature to appreciate this remarkable and unique part of Canada’s heritage.
The NatureHood plaque is located at the trailhead of the Woodlands trail, which features native plants of British Columbia, including unique Garry oak habitat. Government House is located within the Victoria capital region NatureHood, adjacent to Victoria Harbour and Esquimalt Lagoon and Shoal Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuaries.
Bob Peart, Nature Canada’s Board of Directors Chair and Sue Staniforth, President of FOSH
NatureHood is all about inspiring urban Canadians, especially youth, to explore Nearby Nature and help to foster a new generation of nature lovers. Working closely with grassroots naturalist groups, such as Friends of Shoal Harbour (FOSH), NatureHood promotes nature through celebratory events, educational and stewardship activities and wildlife observation.
Friends of Shoal Harbour (FOSH), our local NatureHood partner in Victoria is active in providing nature-based educational activities to the public through events such as All-Buffleheads Day, and leading school groups through the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries in the Victoria capital region.
Next time you’re in Victoria, visit the gardens of Government House and explore nature in the capital region!
