A local group is getting ready to get back to nature to help preserve one of Oak Bay’s crown jewels.
The Friends of Uplands Park are inviting community volunteers to come out for an invasive ivy removal event on Nov. 30.
“It’s becoming an increasing problem in the Uplands. It’s very spread out and without being checked it will just continue its spread over the whole forested landscape there,” said Kevin Webber, who sits on the steering committee with the Friends of Uplands Park.
Community members are invited to come out with their friends, family, clippers and saws. No experience is required, as training and tools will be provided to all who show up.
The event is set to run from 1-3 p.m. Nov. 30, with the group meeting at Cattle Point by the second boat launch.
“Our goal is to target the ivy that’s growing on some of the scrub oaks that are right off the parking lot. It’s very visible from the road,” said Webber.
He said there’s one spot at the entrance to Cattle Point where crews have gone back three or four times.
“Initially what we start doing is get the ivy off the trees because that’s the most important. If that’s left not done it can get worse and worse over time and become more difficult to do,” said Webber. “Afterwards if we have the time and resources, we’ll move in and actually pull it out of the grounds at its roots.”
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