Restoration and Recovery!

Following on from my last blog about some of the work I've been doing out here, this time of year is perfect for the planting side of restoration work. It's really satisfying to be involved in the planting process from start to finish: deciding which plant species and quantities are suitable for a site; selecting the plants from our on-site native plant nursery; arranging the plants in their new area; and actually planting them. It's also very encouraging when lots of enthusiastic volunteers turn up to help! As we aim to set aside the majority of Saturdays for restoration and replanting projects rather than research, we've worked in a lot of different locations over the past few months. 

Loading up the truck, with native plants from our nursery.

 

We had too many plants for the truck so we had to bring some in the van...

Planting...

With the help of some fantastic volunteers the planting process is greatly sped up.

Beaver fencing: we don't want our lovely saplings to become a beaver dam too soon...

We recently returned to a property where we'd removed invasive species and started building a fence to keep livestock out of the creek. In torrential rain we finished building the fence and planting an area that gradually turned into a swamp over the course of the day. We'll be returning early next year to monitor native plant growth, but for now I think we'll all miss working with the landowner, getting to know him and his sense of humour more and more as he got used to us being around and working on his land and spoke to us more about our work and what motivates us.

 

Building a fence!

The bedraggled team!

After all the hard work it's important to find time to relax. Sometimes that might just involve lying on the sofa watching a film, reading a book, painting a picture or learning to crochet. 

Relaxing with my paintbrushes: White Rock in watercolour.

Sometimes we relax in a more adventurous way. Recently, a few of us ventured forth to Granville Island in Vancouver. It’s an interesting area, sort of a mix of painfully touristy shops and genuinely gorgeous shops selling local produce, handmade crafts like pottery and paintings, and exciting wholesale art supplies. We perused the shops and park and enjoyed sampling what the food stores had to offer. 

Enjoying our lunch, the burger is locally caught salmon, honest!

More food!

The leaves in the park.

Even more playground equipment in my life!

Fun with mirrors: the lovely hat I didn't buy...

Also excellent hats!

While we were there we also picked up cheese and wine for (surprise surprise) our planned community cheese and wine evening. It was lovely. Everyone contributed something so there was plenty to go around. We enjoyed an evening of music, chit-chat and good food. Conversation ranged from serious discussions through to hilarious stories about being chased by animals of all sorts, from chickens to grizzly bears. It was a great chance to come together as a community to relax and share some quality time.

Music and a cozy fire.

Cheese and wine...

General incompetence... errm how do you use a corkscrew?

Good conversations...

Two very happy customers!