University of Victoria
OP-10: Biodiversity

The Campus Plan outlines natural areas at UVic that are protected from development in perpetuity through environmental covenants. They are Bowker Creek, Haro Woods, Garry Oak Meadow, South Woods and Mystic Vale Hobbs Creek. In these protected natural areas, development will not be considered except for pathways, service lines, and underground services, and must be informed by special studies on ecological impacts, remediation plans, and stakeholder input. See The Campus Plan for details: http://www.uvic.ca/campusplanning/assets/docs/Campus-Plan-Update-2015/UVicCampusPlan.01.26.2016reduced.pdf.

Two detailed campus Natural Features Studies, Phase One and Phase Two, have been conducted by the Restoration of Natural Systems Program at UVic in 2007 and 2008. The studies include literature reviews, biophysical spatially referenced inventories and the mapping of natural areas on campus. The provincial Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory classification scheme was adopted to provide a framework for describing the natural ecosystems on campus, and indicator plant analysis was carried out to determine site series classification. The sites are monitored on an ongoing basis by the UVic Grounds and Environmental Services department. See reports here: http://www.uvic.ca/campusplanning/studies-reports/index.php. In October 2016, an Invasive Species Management Strategy was completed in collaboration between Office of Campus Planning & Sustainability, Facilities Management, School of Environmental Studies/Restoration of Natural Systems Program,and Department of Geography. Funding for this project was through the Campus Sustainability Fund and is both an informational and guiding document for ecological restoration/ invasive species on campus. Many different local species that are vulnerable to invasive species are identified in the document. Full report: https://www.uvic.ca/sustainability/assets/docs/invasive-species-mgmt-plan-final.pdf

Detailed descriptions of the natural areas on campus can be found in Section 4 of the Invasive Species Management Strategy. This includes identified species found within these areas. Link: https://www.uvic.ca/sustainability/assets/docs/invasive-species-mgmt-plan-final.pdf According to the indicator plant analysis, Lower Hobbs Creek/ Mystic Vale and the dry portion of South Woods contain FdBg-Oregon grape site series, the wet portion of South Woods contains Cw-twinberry site series, Haro Woods and Finnerty ravine contain FdPl- Arbutus site series, and the Garry oak Woodland contains Fd- Oniongrass sedge site series.

The Campus Plan outlines natural areas at UVic that are protected from development in perpetuity through environmental covenants in perpetuity to ensure the health of the area for local flora and fauna. They are Bowker Creek, Haro Woods, Garry Oak Meadow, South Woods and Mystic Vale Hobbs Creek. In these protected natural areas, development will not be considered except for pathways, service lines, and underground services, and must be informed by special studies on ecological impacts, remediation plans, and stakeholder input. During the summer months, UVic is letting selected spaces on campus grounds "naturalize" by not watering or cutting the grass. This not only saves water, the also provide natural habitat for insects and animals that make campus their home. Furthermore, the Campus Plan outlines plans to identify new pockets of areas that could potentially be designated as a natural area as well as exploring the possibility to expand natural areas. Restoration, increasing tree canopy coverage, and further naturalisation are also mentioned in regards to environmentally sensitive areas. See The Campus Plan for details: http://www.uvic.ca/campusplanning/assets/docs/Campus-Plan-Update-2015/UVicCampusPlan.01.26.2016reduced.pdf.

Large areas of campus are protected under a development moritorium in the UVic Campus Plan including South Woods, Bowker Creek and the Gary Oak Meadow. As well, Mystic Vale and Haro Woods are protected in perpetuity to ensure the health of the area for local flora and fona. See figure on page 18 in the Campus Plan (http://www.uvic.ca/sustainability/assets/docs/campusplan2003.pdf). During the summer months, UVic is letting selected spaces on campus grounds "naturalize" by not watering or cutting the grass. This not only saves water, the also provide natural habitat for insects and animals that make campus their home. Detailed Natural Features Studies have been conducted in 2007 and 2008 to determine sensitive ecosystems and associated species, with recommendations for protection. The reports can be accessed here: http://www.uvic.ca/campusplanning/studies-reports/index.php.