In the recent past Garry Oak and Associated Ecosystems (GOEs) thrived over much of our region in southeast Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. This unique habitat provided abundant food and resources to diverse Indigenous communities within Traditional Coast Salish territory. It is also home to the greatest biodiversity of any terrestrial ecosystem in BC, with more than 100 species of plant, lichen, insect, reptile, mammal and bird at risk of extinction. Today, less than 5% of these important ecosystems remain due to the cumulative effects of land development, invasive species, and fire suppression. Hwtl’upnets | Maple Mountain stands out among the remaining fragments of GOEs for the relatively pristine state of its southern and eastern slopes, and its assortment of rare species found in few other places in the province.  Hwtl’upnets | Maple Mountain falls within the lands of the Hul’qumi’num people where Garry Oak is known as  P’hwulhp.

Due to this decline, the Province of BC through a funding partnership with Environment and Climate Change Canada has identified Garry Oak and Associated Ecosystems as priority places for conservation and stewardship. We are aiming to connect with private landowners and residents in the area to further awareness of the importance of these ecosystems and how people in the community can help conserve and restore these special places.