The Oak Bay Urban Tree Symposium, hosted by Habitat Acquisition Trust (HAT), the Friends of Uplands Park (FOUP), and Oak Bay Parks, held on November 3, 2015, at Windsor Park Pavilion, attracted a near full house. Councillor Hazel Braithwaite welcomed Guests. Chris Hyde-Lay, Manager, Oak Bay Parks Service, provided a well informed overview of the important benefits of the Urban Forest and introduced the members of the panel. Expert speakers both educated and inspired guests and entertained us too: Adam Taylor, (HAT Executive Director 2008 – 2015) reporting on the HAT aerial study of Greater Victoria and Oak Bay, showing significant tree cover loss and increase in impervious surfaces (roads etc.) over the last 5 years; Jill Robinson (new HAT Executive Director – November 2015 ); Ron Carter (Retired District of Saanich Arbourist); Matt Fairbarns (Restoration ecologist, Member of Oak Bay Parks & Recreation Commission, and Trial Island Ecological Steward). The Friends of Uplands Park provided refreshments and closed the evening with a heartfelt thank you, from Margaret Lidkea, to all the guests and speakers. Thank you to Kevin Webber, Friends of Uplands Steering Committee Member, for taking the following photos.
Friends of Uplands Park Society 