For the past 20 years, local volunteers in Saanich Parks’ Pulling Together Program have worked tirelessly to remove invasive ivy, holly, daphne, broom, and blackberry from Cadboro Bay Parks such as Konukson Park and Phyllis Park, restoring habitat for native plants and wildlife. This work helps to enhance the biodiversity of meadowlands and forest that are vital for our native wildlife.
However, invasive plants keep reappearing in our Cadboro Bay parks as seeds and runners spread from neighbouring properties. Birds and wind carry seeds over fences and hedgerows, undoing the hard work of our volunteers and allowing invasives to smother native meadow and forest plants (https://www.saanich.ca).
What You Can Do on Your Property
Everyone in Cadboro Bay can pitch in to break this cycle; every little bit helps. If you live adjacent to a Cadboro Bay park, your efforts are especially critical:
- English Ivy: Remove all climbing vines from trees and fences. Uproot ground runners where possible.
- English Holly: Pull out or cut down holly bushes before berries form.
- Daphne & Scotch Broom: Eradicate entire plants, roots and all.
- Himalayan Blackberry: Uproot canes completely—or harvest every berry before they drop seeds!
Resources & How to Get Involved
- Identify & Control Invasives
Download Saanich’s Invasive Plants Booklet (PDF, 6.1 MB) for detailed identification guides and removal methods:
https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Community/Documents/Environment/Invasive%20Plants%20Booklet%202015%20web.pdf - Join the Pulling Together Program
Sign up for volunteer events, get tools and training, and work alongside other residents to restore our parks:
https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/news-events/events-list/saanich-volunteer-opportunities/saanich-parks-pulling-together-volunteer-events.html
Let’s All Do Our Part
By controlling invasives on private lands, we keep seeds and runners out of our parks—protecting the biodiversity that makes Cadboro Bay special. Whether you clear ivy off your fence line or spend an afternoon pulling broom with neighbours, every action helps.
If you live next to any Cadboro Bay park, please take extra care to remove invasive species from your property—and encourage your friends and neighbours to do the same. Together, we can ensure our parks remain vibrant, healthy habitats for years to come.
— Will Jolley Lead Steward, Konukson Park,
and The Cadboro Bay Residents Association
