This page provides links to resources in the following categories:
- Comox Valley Nature documents
- GPS data for Vanier Forest
- Vanier Garry oak tree survey 2021
- Other Vanier Forest reports
- City of Courtenay documents
- Garry oak conservation groups
- Garry Oak Ecosystem Recover Team (GOERT) documents
- Other Garry oak conservation areas
- Federal and provincial legislation and standards
- Other Canadian references
- U.S. references
Comox Valley Nature Documents
- Vanier Forest Garry Oak Restoration and Stewardship Pilot Project [2021-03-01 proposal] (PDF)
- 2015 Plant Survey of Vanier Forest (PDF)
GPS Data for Vanier Forest
This is a collection of geo-referenced maps and GIS layers from various sources and times. The 2021 layer data is from a cell-phone based app, and may be updated periodically.
Base Maps
- 1-metre contour map pre-2016 (PDF)
- 50-cm contour map of Courtenay (KML file; 170 MB for whole city)
- City of Courtenay Parks and Trails Map (PDF)
Layers
- 2013 Vanier Forest Test Groundwater Wells GPS data (zip file)
- 2013 Vanier Forest Streamside Protection and Enhancement Area (zip file)
- 2021 data collection to July 1 (GPX file)
- 2021 data collection to July 1 (KML file)
- 2021-07-01 data collection map image, not geo-referenced (PNG file)
Vanier Garry Oak Tree Survey 2021
- Vanier Nature Park Garry Oak Tree Survey (2022, PDF)
- Vanier tree survey bibliography (2022, PDF)
Other Vanier Forest Reports
- 2004 Towhee Creek Restoration: Interim report (PDF)
- 2005 Tsolum River Restoration Society Towhee Creek Rare Plant Assessment (PDF)
- 2006 Beckwith & Rutledge report (PDF)
- 2006 GOERT to developer (PDF)
- 2008 Tree Assessment Report (PDF)
- 2011 GOERT Vanier Grove Site Report (PDF)
- 2011-2016 Comox Valley Acorn Study PNW KB (PDF)
- Full details of the Pacific Northwest Research Acorn Study are here.
- 2013 Ecological Assessment of Vanier Forest (PDF)
- Ecological and Cultural Significance…, Maingon (2013, PDF)
- 2014 Tree Management Plan (PDF)
City of Courtenay Documents
- 2019 Parks and Recreation Master Plan (PDF)
- Tree Protection and Management Bylaw 2850 (PDF)
- Urban Forest Strategy (PDF)
- Courtenay Parks and Trails Map (geo-referenced PDF file)
- Courtenay Tree Plotter Inventory sign–in page (read-only access)
Garry Oak Conservation Groups
- Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team
- Oak Harbour Garry Oak Society
- Garry Oak Project – International Oak Society
Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team (GOERT) Documents
GOERT has an extensive library available on all things Garry oak on Vancouver Island, and most are available for downloading. Topics include restoration practices, invasive control and best management practices.
Starting points:
Specific documents:
- Restoring BC’s Garry Oak Ecosystems: Principles & Practices (2011, 502 pages, PDF)
- Best Management Practices for Garry Oak and Associated Ecosystems (2013, 101 pages, PDF)
- The Garry Oak Gardener’s Handbook (2011, 62 pages, PDF)
- Historical Maps of Comox Valley, Denman and Hornby Islands (PDF)
- Recovery Strategy for Multi-Species at Risk in Vernal Pools (PDF)
- Vanier Grove Site Report (2011, PDF)
Other Garry Oak Conservation Areas
- Mt. Tzouhalem Ecological Reserve, Duncan
- Cowichan Garry Oak Reserve, Duncan
- Mill Hill CRD Park, Capital Regional District
- Playfair Park, Saanich (PDF)
- Knockan Hill Park, Saanich (PDF)
- Fort Rodd Hill Learning Meadow, Esquimalt Harbour, Capital Regional District (video)
- Beacon Hill Park, Victoria
- Eagle Islet, Gulf Islands, Salish Sea
- Christmas Hill, Saanich (PDF)
- Mount Maxwell Provincial Park, Salt Spring Island, BC
- Anniversary Island, Islands Trust, Saturna Island, BC
- Tumbo Island and Somenos stand history, Barlow et al. (2021, PDF)
- Helliwell restoration prescription (2016, PDF)
- Tree removal in Helliwell Park, Godfrey (2020, PDF)
Federal and Provincial Legislation and Standards
This is not a comprehensive list of all applicable legislation.
- Species at Risk Act (Canada)
- Riparian Areas Protection Regulation (BC):
- Wetlands of BC: A Guide to Identification (BC Land Management Handbook 52, PDF)
Other Canadian References
- 2009 Tsolum River Garry Oak Ecosystem (Canada’s Historic Places)
- Coastal Oakscapes (Hakai Magazine, April 24, 2018)
- Stream, Riparian and Watershed Restoration (Chapter 18 of BC Land Management Handbook 66, PDF)
- Garry Oak Learning Meadow: From Lawn to Lilies (Parks Canada slide presentation, PDF)
- Garry oak ecosystem stand history in Southwest BC (in Biodiversity and Conservation, 2021)
