Become a Member
GOMPS formed in 1992 because local citizens were concerned that native Kwetlal/Garry oak (Quercus garryana) woodlands and meadows were rapidly disappearing as a result of expanding human habitation in the Capital Regional District.
Our society is dedicated to the preservation, protection and restoration of Kwetlal/Garry oak stands and their natural habitats. Join us!
Please read our Anti-SPAM and Privacy Policy before you complete your membership application. Renewing Members are also advised to read this updated policy.
Membership application form
Make a Donation
Donate to GOMPS effortlessly through Canada Helps and support our mission to protect Garry oaks and their ecosystems. We are a registered society in BC with a charitable status recognized by CRA (141110908 RR0001). By donating through Canada Helps, you will receive a charitable tax receipt. Thank you!
Volunteer
Volunteering at the Garry Oak Nursery is a fun opportunity to meet like-minded people, learn about Garry oaks and associated ecosystems, and give back to your community. We welcome volunteers (minimum 16 years old) to join the small but dedicated work force at our Garry oak nursery. No experience necessary! Work parties run every Sunday from 10am -1pm, weather permitting.
Nursery activities vary seasonally and include planting acorns, re-potting seedlings, weeding, fertilizing and winterizing the site. Training, gloves, tools and refreshments are provided. Weather appropriate clothing and good work boots are recommended – don’t forget sun protection.
We ask that all new volunteers fill out the Volunteer Application Form (below).
If you are interested in volunteering with the GOMPS Nursery please contact:
Regan Eby, Nursery Volunteer Coordinator
Email: volunteer@garryoak.info
Volunteer Application
What You Can Do At Home
You can also help protect and restore the Garry oak meadows by following some of the suggestions below.
1. Convert your garden into a Kwetlal/Garry oak meadow.
While it is not possible to duplicate a natural meadow, which has native grasses and rare species for which it is difficult to obtain seed, you can restore the natural habitat by planting Garry oaks, associated shrubs, and wildflowers.
Several local nurseries specialize in native plants; GOMPS has a list of where to obtain plants and seeds locally. GOMPS offers Garry oak seedlings for a donation from our nursery. Email contact@garryoak.info
2. Collect Garry oak acorns and grow your own trees.
In urban areas, in particular, regeneration of locally adapted Garry oaks is an increasing challenge. Many people do not allow naturally distributed acorns to grow, and very few seedlings survive to maturity. You can assist nature by collecting Garry oak acorns from local trees in the fall and planting them in a place where they may thrive. Garry oaks need a sunny location and remember, they become big, long-lived trees so avoid areas where they could interfere with buildings or overhead power lines or underground utilities.
Each fall GOMPS accepts acorns from the public for use in our nursery. Acorn Collecting Information Handout
3. Let nature do the work.
Mimic nature to provide good growing conditions for Garry oak ecosystems. After all, Garry oak trees have been surviving here for 8,000 years and are adapted to our cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. However, during an extended drought, it is advisable to water tree roots deeply once every two weeks, particularly when the soil depth is shallow.
Leave the leaves! If raking leaves is not your idea of a good time, you’ll be pleased to learn that leaving the leaves supports many organisms and decomposition benefits plant communities.
4. Keep exotic/introduced biodiversity inhibitors under control.
Introduced smothering plants like English ivy (Hedera helix) can create stress on trees by shading the leaves and substantially increasing canopy load that may ultimately destabilize trees. Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus), gorse (Ulex europaeus) and Daphne (Daphne laureola) are also biodiversity inhibiting introduced plants that smother out native wildflowers.
Remove these species by the roots, if you can, and any above ground parts of the plant if you are unable to remove the root system. Periodic checks will be required to remove any shoot reemergence. Local species of understory shrubs and wildflowers may grow from the seedbank if given space from the smothering nature of plants like English ivy. In some cases, planting native species may help defend soil space from the continual reestablishment of smothering introduced species. In addition to controlling invasive plants on your property, there are numerous opportunities to remove invasive plants in local parks. No experience needed. Work parties take place throughout the year. You can learn more here Greater Victoria Green Teams; Pulling Together.
5. Construction can severely injure and destabilize trees.
If any digging, trenching or construction is required near a Garry oak:
- Consult your local government’s tree protection bylaw, as Garry oak root systems are often bylaw protected and defined as a “Critical Root Zone” or “Tree Protection Zone”. Excavation work within this protected area typically requires a permit from your local government’s urban forest authority.
- Contact an ISA Certified Arborist knowledgeable of Garry oaks and familiar with managing trees through construction for advice before breaking ground.
6. Protect trees in your community.
Take action when you think Garry oaks may be damaged or cut down:
- Talk to your neighbours, the municipal parks departments, contractors, and developers about growing and caring for Garry oaks and native plants.
- Garry oaks are protected trees in most Capital Regional District municipalities. Encourage local politicians to strengthen tree protection bylaws, and to adequately resource tree bylaw departments to ensure the outcomes intended by bylaws are achieved.
7. Remember that Garry oaks are only one species in Garry oak ecosystems.
All levels of government need to be lobbied for more protection for this endangered ecosystem. For example, municipalities need to use the stewardship tools given them in the Municipal Act. Unless the public demands that they do so, local governments are reluctant to pass bylaws protecting habitat.
8. Support local environmental non-profits that purchase endangered Garry oak habitat to ensure its protection and public access in perpetuity.