History
The Dawkins family sold this property to the Capital Regional District so that the land can continue to be enjoyed in its natural state. The housing structure that was on this property has now been demolished. Today the property is apart of the CRD Regional Park Peserve and adds to the greenspace and buffer between the Galloping Goose Regional Trail and Millstream Creek. As it is a park reserve, it is not officially open for the public.
Description
The CRD Natural Areas Atlas shows that this property is located within a Riparian Primary Sensitive Ecosystem. Millstream Creek is the catchment stream for the Millstream Watershed. This stream runs from Gowlland-Tod Inlet through Langford – Colwood and then drains into the Esquimalt Harbour. Millstream Creek plays an important ecological role as it is a salmon-spawning habitat. The Atkins Rd property is bordered by this stream and has riparian, open grass, mixed woodland areas and Garry oak savanna. Tree species such as Douglas fir, Big Leaf maple, and Western red cedar are present; snowberry, salal, Oregon grape, starflower and fern species make up understory. This covenant is located close to dense urban area and high human activity which exposes it to many invasive species threats. In recent years TLC has observed the introduction of Policeman’s helmet and Yellow flag Iris on the banks of Millstream Creek and an establishment of Aaron’s beard and Himalayan blackberry around the Garry oak savanna. Without intervention the populations of invasive species will hinder the natural biodiversity of the land.
Restoration Project
TLC is working with CRD, Greater Victoria Green Team and other volunteer partners to smother Aaron’s Beard (Hypericum calycinum) using the “lasagna gardening” technique which threatens the small Garry oak savannah that sits on the slope above the creek. Participants have also removed other invasive species from the site, notably daphne, Himalayan blackberry, Scotch broom and English ivy. A particularly offensive invasive, Policeman’s helmet (Impatiens glandulifera), has also been removed from the creek edge as it threatens slope stability, thereby increasing sediment load into the creek which negatively impacts water quality and fish habitat.
Volunteer Opportunities
Join TLC during our annual monitoring visit typically held in the spring or summer each year. You will have the opportunity to learn more about the ecology of the area, how to conduct repeat photography to monitor landscape change, identify plant and animal species and covenant monitoring field skills. Periodically, opportunities to participate in restoration work come up as well. See the Volunteer page for more details on how to get involved.
