Garry Oak Acorn Collection for fall 2021 has started!
Volunteers are needed to collect acorns with a special emphasis on regions that have traditionally been in short supply in past years.
Over the past 10 years the response from Saanich, Oak Bay and Victoria has been amazing. What we really want are more acorns from the Esquimalt, Saanich Peninsula, Metchosin, Sooke, View Royal, Colwood, the Highlands and especially Langford. |
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Covid-19 presents some challenges and and simple physical distancing is key to reducing the its spread. According to the Province of BC we are (as of September 6, 2020) in Phase 3 which encourages a gradual return to smart, safe and respectful travel within BC, the return to school (in various forms) and a return to work for some. We ask that anyone wishing to collect acorns for our nursery please use extra caution to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and protect those who are most at risk. More information is available from the government of BC at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support.
We have written helpful guidelines that include tips on collection, sorting and testing as well as labeling and storage. After collecting acorns please take the time to float test them – toss out the floaters! Those which sink can be delivered to two central locations in Saanich where you will find drop off containers marked with our GOMPS name.
Please limit the volume of acorns/nuts to a total of 1 litre per person per region. Imagine a milk carton full of clean, float tested acorns/nuts! We want diversity – not quantity. Our nursery project aims to protect the genetics of Garry oak trees in all area of the CRD. Acorns with caps are not ripe and should not be collected.
Due to Covid-19 we ask that you simply leave the acorns in the provided container and do not attempt to contact the residents. If you have questions or comments for us please email grow.oaks@gmail.com and someone will connect with you using either email or telephone.
Please limit the volume of acorns/nuts to a total of 1 litre per person per region. Imagine a milk carton full of clean, float tested acorns/nuts! We want diversity – not quantity. Our nursery project aims to protect the genetics of Garry oak trees in all area of the CRD. Acorns with caps are not ripe and should not be collected.
Due to Covid-19 we ask that you simply leave the acorns in the provided container and do not attempt to contact the residents. If you have questions or comments for us please email grow.oaks@gmail.com and someone will connect with you using either email or telephone.
Please note: We are only calling for acorns/nuts - if you have seedlings to donate please read our GOMPS Seedling Donation Policy.
Drop-off locations for 2021
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1545 Eric Road
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Garry oak seedling found sprouting March 2014
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666 Jones Terrace
- Follow Burnside Road West to Biscoe Drive, turn right and then turn right again onto Jones Terrace.
- Leave acorns at front of carport in Rubbermaid tub.
Are all the oaks I see in BC Garry oaks?
In short, no - but knowing what to look for can help to keep the task of acorn/nut collecting simple. Click on the thumbnail image at left and it will open A Guide to Identifying the Garry Oak.
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Garry oaks are the only oak native in British Columbia and their range is very small. They are most commonly found on Southern Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and in a few places near Hope, BC. That said they may also be found in other places. Recent efforts to map the remaining habitats of Garry Oak have found them in the Comox Valley of Central Vancouver Island. While it is unlikely to find a grove of Garry oaks growing outside their native range you may see a specimen on the boulevard or in a local park (such as in Queen Elisabeth Park, Vancouver, BC http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/queen-elizabeth-park.aspx).
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To assist you in correctly identifying the Garry oak we have extracted this information from Volume 3 of the Illustrated Flora of British Columbia. This botany reference book, from the Research Branch of the BC Government's Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, is part of an eight volume series available at your local library or for purchase through the Queen's Printer of BC http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/docs/Mr/MR_IllustratedFlora.htm. Our extract provides you with illustrations and keys to the Garry oak and the English oak - probably the two most common oaks in BC.
You can search the Internet for more information but some other useful links are The Tree Book from the BC Forest Service and E-Flora BC: an Electronic Atlas from UBC.
You can search the Internet for more information but some other useful links are The Tree Book from the BC Forest Service and E-Flora BC: an Electronic Atlas from UBC.
