Adopt A Patch

Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary launched Adopt A Patch in Fall 2022, where volunteer groups embrace and rehabilitate designated plots on the Nature Sanctuary grounds or waterways.

This program is ideal for families, schools, organizations, or other community service groups as a team building, learning and restoration activity. Activities are adaptive and accessible for a variety of abilities, group sizes and knowledge levels.

As we saw throughout British Columbia in the fall of 2021, flooding and subsequent erosion of river, lake, and wetland banks can be catastrophic! That is what makes it particularly important to restore riparian habitats (any land next to a water body) and increase the capacity of these areas to prevent excessive flooding, provide homes for native species, and filter pollution. There are many patches around Swan Lake which are overrun with invasive plant species and afford great opportunities for high-impact rehabilitation.

Your Adopt A Patch stewardship team will be trained to remove invasive species and restore native plants with hands-on activities. As the program develops, videos will supplement in-person learning, and participants will be able to advance through modules, learning restoration concepts and earning badges. This program will build your practical knowledge which you can then translate to conservation activities in your own backyard and neighbourhood.

Consider the Adopt A Patch program at the Nature Sanctuary this year, and see the positive impact you can make for climate resilience! For more information contact programs@swanlake.bc.ca

Interested in a more casual trial? Consider our Tuesday Crew and Saturday efforts. Group restoration experiences are also available. You can book a 1-2 hour session with a staff member guiding (cost: $35/h for staff wages and tool rental).

Please be aware waivers are required for any restoration activities on site.