Introduction by Michael Coon and Jenica K. Waymen May 2, 2018 Preserving Anderson Hill Garry Oak ecosystem from further dog degradation We wish to

Transcription

1 Introduction by Michael Coon and Jenica K. Waymen May 2, 2018 Preserving Anderson Hill Garry Oak ecosystem from further dog degradation We wish to acknowledge those volunteers, the Green Team, The Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team and Oak Bay Parks Dept who give their time, energy and passion to preserving Garry Oak ecosystems to the best that the current bylaws allow. Summary. Our presentation will include a brief history, information from a Garry oak ecosystem report in 2002 by the then Minster of Environment, comparison with the description of the 2011 up date and applied to the current situation of We hope to suggest practical proposals for solutions to help rescue endangered and damaged Anderson Hill Garry Oak ecosystem. In 1960s, when Anderson Hill was called Blueberry Hill a group of Transit Street residents, led by late lawyer, Betty Bottrell, saved Anderson Hill from going to development. Now its up to us to save Anderson Hill Garry Oak ecosystem from going to the dogs. Is it time to consider the distinction between multi use parks vs. nature preserves for endangered, rapidly diminishing, rare species Garry Oak ecosystems? Only 1 % of Garry Oak ecosystems of Vancouver Island remain. In particular, Is it time to re- classify Anderson Hill as an endangered, damaged and rare Garry Oak eco system instead of a multi use park with an obscure suggestion on the park s web site that owners leash their dogs during bird nesting season April to June? Dog walkers in Anderson Hill park state they did not know there was a web site for Anderson Hill. The most recent 2011 up dated park report could not for see the burgeoning dog population of There appears to be trends towards more than one large size dog in young home owner families. Dog walkers regularly bring six dogs at a time to Anderson Hill. Yesterday morning May 1, the dog walker from Petiquette dog walking service took her 6 straining eager dogs over the brow of the hill on leash. When she thought she was out of

2 sight, she unleashed her 6 large dogs and allowed them to crash through the meadow unleashed. I picked up a trail of broken off camus behind the 6 charging dogs. Any one of them could have knocked me over on the rocky path with a 10 foot drop below. Meanwhile, there were other dogs thrashing through the bushes and Camus at the brow of the hill. This circus of dogs was un -nerving. It is both sad and alarming to see the camus churned up by romping dogs. When I suggest that the Oak Bay Website suggests that dogs should be leashed between April and June, all the dog owners respond There is no sign, So why did the sign get removed and not reinstalled at the Island Road entrance gate and why has there never been a sign at the Transit Street entrance? There are contradictions and confusion on the 2011 Parks report and web site that need up dating if what is left of Anderson Hill is to survive current times. The 2011 report quotes There are no known species at risk; in this park but the Garry Oak communities have been ranked critically endangered. In my view, this statement contradicts itself and does not appear to be informed by The Garry Oak Eco system, a pamphlet by W. Erickson, BC. Minster of Environment Lands and Parks 1992 which describes Garry Oak Eco systems as the most diverse terrestrial ecosystem in BC containing species ranked at risk to loss or serious depletion. The 1992 pamphlet states the Garry Oak grass community as been rated as one of the most endangered in BC. The report goes on to list the many birds, butterflies and indigenous plants that are now extinct or endangered. The first stated goal on the Oak Bay Parks web site is To protect and maintain natural areas in their natural state. Although we appreciate the hard work of the Green team volunteers to remove broom and ivy, it is not our experience that Anderson Hill Garry Oak ecosystem is being protected or maintained in its natural state.

3 In 26 years of living adjacent to Anderson Hill Park, we have seen an increase of dogs, a declining Garry oak meadow and a total decimation of ground nesting and small song birds, now at apparently zero population. where once there were abundant quail and other ground-nesting birds. My first visit to Anderson Hill park, in 1987, was alive with birdsongs, lush with camus, buttercups and fawn lilies. Now there is a gravel hill top where the camus used to be, and no bird songs from within the park.. Instead the sound of often barking dogs crashing through the brushes. The description of Anderson Hill Park on the Oak Bay Parks web site has more contradictions with reference to dogs. #21 states No restrictions Anderson Hill Park on the dog walking location map.. The 2011 description states that Anderson Hill Park provides a valuable recreational resource for citizens to peacefully enjoy the natural park ambience and panoramic views. However, it does not seem valuable enough to warrant a sign at the gate requesting dogs to be on leash at the very least during bird nesting season. This sign was removed from the gate about 3 years ago and never replaced. This lack of signage is the major cause of confusion. I have learned there is no protective by law in Oak Bay for Anderson Hill Park. I wrote Mayor and Oak Bay Council 2 years in a row and had no response. As I dodge the dogs crashing through the bushes or jumping on me, I sometimes politely ask owners if they could please keep their dogs on leash during bird nesting season. They usually respond There are no birds in Anderson Hill park. If I try to explain that dogs running through bushes frightens birds and deters nesting, I am often rudely rebuked. Other explanations are offered.. too many cats,( although I have not seen any cats on Anderson Hill,) and also the rats got the quail, as well as the retort that dogs have nothing to do with ground nesting birds.

4 When I googled ground nesting birds and dogs, I found pages of signs warning people to protect ground nesting bird habitat from their dogs as well as signs this morning at Uplands Park informing visitors about the dangers of dogs to ground nesting bird habitat. The 2011 park report description states quote Dogs are allowed on leash at any time and off leash in the open area on the brow of the hill during July to March, subject to further on leash restrictions being temporarily implemented to prevent excessive degradation of the vegetation. This policy aims to balance the needs of dog owners, who have a long tradition of dog walking in the park, and the protection of habitat. Is it realistic to think that a dog off a leash will stay in a small unfenced area on the brow of the hill when there are paths to run and bushes to explore? The reality is that most dogs are off leash everywhere on Anderson Hill at all times. When I meet an owner with a dog on leash, I thank the owners. Some are glad to know about bird nesting season. Always they ask why no sign? The 2011 report acknowledges the tradition of dog walking on Anderson Hill but does not acknowledge the 8000 year old tradition of stewarding a once thriving Garry Oak Meadows. We believe it is our responsibility to properly steward the legacy gift that has been given to us with the endorsement of the political will of the City of Oak Bay to include Anderson Hill Park in the protective bylaws to restrict dogs. Most of the decline of Garry Oak ecosystems have occurred in the last 2 decades.. our generation. The 1993 Garry Oak ecosystem states Very little of the original Garry Oak landscape remains in an unaltered state. They have declined dramatically in extent over the past few decades and what remains has been strongly modified. The 2011 report state The Parks and Recreation commission recognize the need to provide off leash privileges in Oak Bay and in this case are prepared to accept some biologically degraded areas. The Commission encourages dog owners using the park to co- operate with the parks Services and establish regular channels of communication.

5 What does regular channels of communication mean? Certainly dog owners and dogs are enjoying socializing and regular communicating on the gravel brow of the hill. Let us consider the meaning of the words balance and degradation in light of today. How degraded is enough degradation to an endangered and rapidly disappearing valuable eco system? And why would the restriction of off leash be temporary? How long does it take to restore a damaged ecosystem.. and why can it not continue to be preserved? Where is the balance that the Parks Dept is striving to maintain?. It seems that the off leash privileges have gone too far off the desired balance. When speaking to a member of Friends of Beacon Hill Park, she lamented that the biggest challenge to survival of Garry Oak Meadows is dogs running through the Camus fields.. Back to the Big Question. Why is Anderson Hill Park allowed to have dogs running freely with no signs? And why is it not included in dog restriction by laws?. Other Garry Oak meadows as Government House have signs keep dogs on leashes at all times. Uplands Park have also leash restrictions during bird nesting season. Beacon Hill park has a bylaw to keep dogs on leashes and completely away from the heron nesting areas. These signs have helped to protect these valuable Garry Oak ecosystems from similar damage endured by Anderson Hill. Possible Solutions in Summary If we are serious about preserving rapidly disappearing Garry Oak ecosystems, is it time to distinguish multi use parks from nature preserves and to recognize that endangered Garry Oak ecosystems and multitudes of dogs are no longer compatible? Should we reach for the ideal situation as Nature Preserves and allow Garry Oak ecosystems to recover with no dogs allowed, especially on Anderson Hill where the ground nesting birds have been decimated. I realize that there will not be much appetite from dog owners to curtail dogs altogether from Anderson Hill.

6 At the very minimum, there should be strictly enforced signage to notify all walkers of the endangered ground nesting birds. Dogs and owners should be allowed only on specific paths, with dogs on short leashes at all times with fines for offenders. The signage at Uplands Park is helpful and we have added examples of signage. Uplands Park Signage Please leash your dog during bird nesting season April 1 st to June 1. Thank you. Question Is this enough time to allow birds to find a mate, lay eggs, chicks to hatch and fly from their nest? We note that an Uplands Park sign has been scrubbed out Keep your dog on leash at all times When was this scrubbed out with the change to limited leash restriction time and why? Another sign at Uplands Park Thanks for staying on track. Garry Oak meadows, woodlands, moss covered rocks, and wet areas are easily damaged. Please stay on designated areas. and All dogs must be on leash during the months of April May June. Birds are nesting at this time. Many of them building nests are close to the ground where they can be destroyed by dogs. Google dogs and ground bird nesting signs, and alamay Here are more suggested signs. Ground Nesting Birds. Disturbance reduces nesting success. Use only marked foot paths..conservation area.. ground nesting birds, keep out. No access, These grass meadows and bushes are habitat for many ground nesting birds.. Help us protect them by giving them room to raise their young. Keep your distance. Ground nesting birds are present from Mar 1 to Sept 1. Dogs on short leash, stay on the gravel trails. Keep control.

7 Another possible solution.. Provide.more dedicated dog friendly runs in Oak Bay. Does the number of leash free dog runs in Oak Bay keep up with the increasing number of dogs as pets? Please google Toronto as an example of a dog friendly city where there are an increasing number of dog runs. Both dogs and owners can relax and socialize and pets can run freely and jump around without being reprimanded or tempted to chase endangered wild life and birds and trample endangered vegetation. If there is a shortage of dog runs, with specific hours and weekends, could areas of soccer fields, school yards, church yards, or seniors home yards be fenced off with separation for large and small dogs.. with special turf materials for absorbing the dog urine? This special turf is a solution in Toronto. Specific Hours and weekends could be considered. depending on the locations. The Friends of Uplands Park sign states. Creating Opportunity for stewardship, education and inspiration. The educational art and history signs at Uplands Park are beautiful and inspiring. Could we have a duplicate at Anderson Hill? If each visitor paused to read the signs as we did this morning at Uplands Park, they would know the impact of their own foot print as well as their dog s activities on Anderson Hill and have more respect and appreciation.. as well as clear guidance for expected rules of behaviour. With regards to education.. how else can we educate and inspire the public about the value of our remaining ecosystems and the relationship of why there are no ground nesting birds while their dogs are crashing through the bushes.? With regard to compromise of park activities, since all tax payers equally share contributing tax dollars to the municipality to provide dog parks, haul away and dispose of the growing tons of doggie excrement and plastic bags., can the compromise be a secure and peaceful dog free experience in our remaining Garry

8 Oak eco systems. and satisfaction that endangered eco -systems are being preserved, growing in verdant health for future generations to enjoy, serene havens for birds, plants, and wild life that they once were and not being destroyed by the burgeoning dog population of today. It would give us great pleasure to be able to serenely walk through Anderson Hill and once again listen to the cheering songs of ground nesting birds. Jenica K. Waymen BA Michael Coon, MSc, Marine Biologist, Senior Manager ( retd) Land Use Planning Province of B.C. 548 Beach Drive, Victoria, B.C. V8S -2M5 Phone michaelandjenica@gmail.com.