By simply sprinkling Alaska onion grass seed into plug trays, three men from the Garth Homer Society help save the Garry oak ecosystems at Fort Rodd Hill.

B次元官网网址淲e are planting the natural grasses,B次元官网网址� explained volunteer Tyler (last name withheld). B次元官网网址淲e are doing this because we need it.B次元官网网址�

On a crisp December day, Tyler, along with friends William Bates and Darrin Schebek, fills about 10 trays with seeds Parks Canada staff in Colwood harvested in the fall.

Tyler is eager and proud to pack and sift the soil, plant the seeds and cover the plugs with crushed granite.

The View Royal resident hopes others will help with the project too one day.

B次元官网网址淲e need to keep these trees,B次元官网网址� said Tyler, pointing at a Garry oak. B次元官网网址淲e should have these trees for a long time, but people just donB次元官网网址檛 care enough.B次元官网网址�

The shade-loving grass the volunteers are planting will be transplanted to Site 6 at the park in the spring.

B次元官网网址淚 like to pull weeds,B次元官网网址� said Bates, 24. B次元官网网址淚 really like to come to Fort Rodd Hill.B次元官网网址�

The Garry oak ecosystem preservation projects have been ongoing at Fort Rodd Hill for about 10 years with Garth Homer volunteers working there the past three.

B次元官网网址淭he Garry oak ecosystem is one of the most rare and most diverse ecosystems in Canada,B次元官网网址� said Susan MacIsaac, species at risk communications officer at Fort Rod Hill. B次元官网网址淭here are thousands of plants and animals within it.B次元官网网址�

Wildflower species there include camas, sea blush and spring gold. Western bluebirds and sharp tailed snakes are also known to inhabit the ecosystems. Though neither animal currently calls Fort Rodd Hill home, blue bird boxes were added to provide shelter should they return.

Garry oak meadow ecosystems are only found on southeast Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and in some areas of the Fraser Valley in the Mainland.