Garry Oak Meadow Preservation Society (GOMPS)
  • About
    • About Us
    • About Garry Oak Ecosystems
    • History of Garry Oaks
    • Threats to the Ecosystem
  • Get Involved
    • What you can do at home >
      • FAQ
      • Tree Protection Bylaws
    • Garry Oak Nursery >
      • Volunteer
    • Help us collect acorns
    • Membership
  • Media
    • News
    • Social Media
    • Photo Gallery
    • Newsletters
  • Contacts
  • Links

NEWS FROM GOMPS

Thank you to Doncaster School for the Acorn Donation!

10/21/2020

 
We would like you extend our gratitude to the Grade 4 students at École Élémentaire Doncaster for their wonderful donation of Acorns.

We especially liked the handmade card included with the acorns. Thanks to the artist(s) who created the card. Very nicely done!
 
The acorns that Division 5 collected for us this year will be more than enough to complete our 2020 acorn collection. We’ll keep them all safely refrigerated until early 2021 and then they’ll be planted out next February/March.
 
On behalf of the Garry Oak Meadow Preservation Society,  our thanks, once again, for your generous donation. Best wishes to you and those hard working students.
 
Judy Spearing, Treasurer
Garry Oak Meadow Preservation Society
Picture
Picture
Picture

An Oak out in the Community

7/6/2020

 
It is always exciting when our trees leave the Garry Oak Nursery! As time goes on, more and more of our little oak are being adopted out into the community and planted into their permanent homes. Local couple Liz and Dan sent us these photos of an oak they picked up this May being planted into their yard. It is wonderful to see one of our seedlings help to naturalize our local landscapes!
Picture
Picture
Picture

Garry Oak Meadow Preservation Society response to COVID-19

5/2/2020

 
As the health & safety of our members, volunteers & interested public are paramount, the Garry Oak Meadows Preservation Society (GOMPS) has POSTPONED our Annual General Meeting in accordance with Government Health directives.  GOMPS Board of Directors will be in touch with members when we have determined how best to proceed in this regard.

While our Garry Oak Nursery no longer has official volunteer work parties, our Board members work to ensure the nursery continues to function. We have just finished planting the collected fall 2019 sprouting acorns!  The Nursery work area is structured to ensure social distancing, so interested volunteers are welcome to join us weekly on Sunday mornings from 10am to 1pm.

During this challenging time, GOMPS deeply appreciates the SUPPORT shown by our members & interested public through their memberships and donations. 

Even though there is uncertainty, please know that we continue to advocate for Garry oaks and their associated ecosystems as well as growing Garry oak seedlings for planting in our communities!

Tree Protection Bylaws for Greater Victoria Region added to GOMPS website!

4/26/2019

 
If you are concerned about Garry oak trees (and other mature trees too) please consult our links to the Tree Protection Bylaws in your municipality or electoral region.

FAQ section added to GOMPS website!

4/26/2019

 
As a resident, voter and tax payer you hold the power to help stop the decline of trees in your region. Get started by consulting with our FAQ page and learn more about protecting and caring for Garry oak trees.

Garry Oak Nursery work party Sunday, April 28th

4/24/2019

 
Hello Garry oak growers,

This is a gentle reminder of the upcoming Garry Oak Nursery work party on Sunday, April 28th from 10am to 1pm. We've just begun the push to get all the acorns planted: we have 375 in the soil so far! Come join in the particularly pleasant task of planting these acorns and soon we'll be able to see their cute little leaves sprouting out of the soil!

As a reminder, there is a proper toilet (porta-potty type) on the premises.  Gloves, tools & refreshments are provided. Weather appropriate clothing & good work boots are recommended!

Learn more about volunteering here!

Schedule of upcoming Garry Oak Nursery work parties

4/20/2019

 
Hello again, Garry oak growers!

The schedule of upcoming work parties has been confirmed. They will continue weekly on alternating Saturdays and Sundays. The Saturday work parties will be from 2pm to 5pm and the Sundays will be from 10am to 1pm.

See the schedule below:
  • Saturday, April 20th from 2pm - 5pm
  • Sunday, April 28th from 10am - 1pm
  • Saturday, May 4th from 2pm - 5pm 
  • Sunday, May 12th from 10am - 1pm
  • Saturday, May 18th from 2pm - 5pm 
  • Sunday, May 26th from 10am - 1pm

Learn more about volunteering here!

Garry Oak Nursery work party reminder: Sunday, April 14th

4/13/2019

 
Hello Garry oak growers,

This is a gentle reminder of the work party tomorrow on Sunday, April 14th from 10am to 1pm. Judith will be hosting this volunteer event.

We're almost finished potting up the last of the 4" seedlings from their styroblocks to 1-gallon pots so most of the work party will be focused on planting acorns.

Learn more about volunteering here!

Garry Oak Nursery work party March 31st

3/24/2019

 
Hello and happy spring to all you Garry oak growers!

The GOMPS Garry oak nursery is back up and running smoothly, with a new shelter erected and the irrigation system turned back on. A recent visit to the Nursery saw slightly dry pots but otherwise healthy oaks with no signs of winter damage.

Work parties are scheduled for the following dates:
  • Sunday, March 31st, 10am to 1pm
  • Saturday, April 6th, 2pm to 5pm
  • Sunday, April 14th, 10am to 1pm

Judith and Judy will be hosting the upcoming work party on Sunday, March 31st from 10am to 1pm.

As a reminder, there is a proper toilet (porta-potty type) on the premises.  Gloves, tools & refreshments are provided. Weather appropriate clothing & good work boots are recommended!

Learn more about volunteering here!

Work parties temporarily on hold

3/11/2019

 
Due to February's snowstorm, the frequent below 0° temperatures and some infrastructure upgrades on site, we have temporarily put our Nursery work parties on hold.
Our nursery location in Central Saanich tends to receive the most snow when it does snow in the region, as you can see in the photo from late February. The good thing is the snow insulated the trees and a gradual melt was not a bad thing from that perspective.
Picture
Now that the snow is gone we're in the process of installing a new work shelter that will make future work parties more comfortable and efficient.

We will recommence work parties shortly, though we don't have a date set yet. There are a few different consideration to take into account as we plan for our next volunteer event at the Nursery. As summarized by our resident forestry expert:

"I see no need to hasten work parties for other than weed removal. Cold weather can return at nearly any time, compromising the benefit of re-potting any of the 2018 germinants in the small cavities.  I suggest mid-late April as a better time. By then warmer temps will favour root development into the new soil material and larger cavity size. Leaf emergence likely will need more time – likely a month later.
Assuming we do not have such a heat blast as last May’s, we should have top growth regulated by the healthy roots and our tending: weeding, watering and fertilizing."

What that means for us is that we likely won't be planting acorns or repotting our oaks until the weather warms up enough. Weeding can still happen in the meantime, so that might mean work parties will start again pretty soon once the new shelter is up and ready.

Stay tuned as we'll be back soon with more info!
<<Previous

    Archives

    October 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    November 2017
    August 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    September 2016
    May 2016
    September 2015
    August 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014

    Categories

    All
    AGM
    Garry Oak Nursery
    General
    Help Wanted
    Work Party Invitation
    Work Party Summary

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • About
    • About Us
    • About Garry Oak Ecosystems
    • History of Garry Oaks
    • Threats to the Ecosystem
  • Get Involved
    • What you can do at home >
      • FAQ
      • Tree Protection Bylaws
    • Garry Oak Nursery >
      • Volunteer
    • Help us collect acorns
    • Membership
  • Media
    • News
    • Social Media
    • Photo Gallery
    • Newsletters
  • Contacts
  • Links