NORTHWEST COAST NATURE

LUNA LOISEAU-TREMBLAY

AS THE WEATHER gets warmer, mornings are lighter and we wake up to the songs of Varied Thrush and Song Sparrows, it’s obvious that spring has sprung. Many of us notice daffodils and snowdrops blooming as signs that the days have turned warmer. I begin my seasonal ritual of paying closer attention to the diversity of native plants and pollinators around me. One of the main things that stands out on a daily basis is how much of our environment is taken up by invasive plants and how normalized this has become for us. The topic of invasive species is an important one and it impacts us all, regardless of where we live. Understanding the reasons why it's important empowers us to make changes.

What is an invasive species? The BC government defines an invasive species as “plants or animals that are not native to the province or are outside of their natural distribution. Invasive species negatively impact British

Columbia’s environment, people (human health) and/ or economy.” This does not include non-native species that are intentionally introduced that do not escape cultivation. Basically, if an introduced species is not reproducing or creating its own population and taking up the niche of a native species, it may not fall under the label of invasive but is characterized as introduced or exotic. Who cares, right? Well, according to the Invasive Species Council of BC and the Government of British Columbia, invasive species, on a global level, are the second greatest threat to biodiversity directly after habitat loss due to humans. This is a big deal.

On a changing planet, species are constantly migrating but at a much slower rate than if humans help them move around. Examples of this include introduction by ballast transport (zebra mussels), Asian Giant Hornet likely catching a ride in shipping crates, Northern Pike intentionally introduced for sport fishing, big box stores and nursery sales of Goldmoss stonecrop, Cherry Laurel, English Ivy, Periwinkle… and the list goes on. Invasive plants outcompete native plants for resources, increasing fire hazard (like Scotch Broom) and changing entire ecosystem dynamics.

Invasive fish gobble up native fish species, invasive reptiles and amphibians can decimate freshwater ecosystems, invasive insect pests can heavily impact forests, range and agricultural lands competing for food and habitat with native plants and pollinators. This is only the tip of the iceberg—and if this isn't convincing enough, it is worth mentioning that the control the spread of invasive species costs billions of dollars. Invasive Species in the Pacific Northwest (Boersma, Reichard, Van Buren) states that $137 billion/yr in the US is a conservative estimate for losses incurred by agriculture, forestry, rangelands and fisheries because of the detrimental nature of non-native invasive species on the environment and economy.

There are many things we can do to make it less overwhelming. Planting native plants in our yards and gardens, and purchasing an easy ID book, like Coastal Plants of BC by Pojar and Mackinnon can help one learn the plants in your area. Gardeners can buy native plants from nurseries like Satinflower Nurseries in Victoria or Streamside Native Plants in Bowser.

Native plants have evolved with the pollinators and are the best choice to avoid unwanted introductions into nature. Hold big box stores and nurseries accountable and ask them not to sell invasive species. Remove invasive species from the surrounding area and replace them with native species, since replacing avoids other introduced species taking over that thrive in disturbed areas.

Volunteering for habitat restoration projects with organizations such as Greenways Land Trust, is another way to get involved and learn from knowledgeable people about environmental stewardship. The Invasive Species Council of BC website is very informative and full of great resources, such as the Grow Me Instead Guide, which shows common invasive plants, and the native or non-invasive species to grow in its place. As our knowledge of the impacts of invasive species grows, so do the resources available for learning how to live better within the ecosystems that are around us.

KAYLA STOCKTON

MOUNT WASHINGTON ALPINE Resort is Vancouver Island's coastal playground, sharing year-round community experiences that invigorate all five senses. Between the action-packed months of the winter and summer seasons lives the alpine's time for peace and tranquillity... As the snow melts and seasons change, spring is the perfect time to disconnect, get re-centred and awaken your spirit alongside the mountains' flora and fauna.

Awaken your senses and rise up with the mountains. Elevate will bring together like-minded locals and island visitors to experience three days full of wellness sessions that nourish the mind, body and spirit on the weekend of May 12th, 13th and 14th.

The Elevate weekend features 30 unique session options provided by 15 practitioners, including a perfect blend of group workshops and participants' choice of breakout sessions, followed by vegan/vegetarian and gluten-friendly lunch, dinners and snack breaks together. Additional certification classes are also available, as well as some fantastic prizes to be won.

Ready to get elevated? You’ll have some important choices to make! With 30 sessions offered by 15 practitioners, the Elevate experience will fill your cup no matter which workshops you attend. Ensure to leave yourself at least 15 minutes of breathing room for transitioning between sessions, as well as snack and water breaks. Planning to attend 3-4 classes a day is plenty!

Eager to learn? Elevate Wellness Weekend is proudly partnering with accredited practitioners Marci Stockton and Deanna Papineau to offer additional certification classes during the day on Thursday and Friday, before Elevate begins. Join Marci on May 11th for an Access Bars Certification Course, and Deanna on May 12th for Reiki Level 1. Sign up for these classes for an additional cost when booking your experience.

Get set on Day 1 to fully elevate your weekend. Meet the practitioners and your fellow participants, stock up on supplies at the general store, and prepare to lift your spirit to new heights. Fully enjoy Friday evening's nourishing and delicious dinner menu. Ted's Bar will also open for evening drink service. Day 2 promises to absolutely amazing. Awaken your senses and rise up with the mountains. The choice is all yours for break fast and prepare for your day of sessions! Eagle View Bistro will be open inside the Alpine Lodge for special ty coffees and breakfast items. The day ahead will con tinue to nourish your mind, body and spirit until the final sessions of the evening. On the final morning of Elevate, enjoy your own breakfast or visit Eagle View Bistro café open in the Alpine Lodge before heading to your first session of the day. Sunday workshops finish midday, to allow participants downtime to enjoy the natural surroundings and begin the journey home.

Early bird booking with discounted pricing is on now till April 15th and all event details are available at www.mountwashington.ca/elevate