Climate Change, Wildlife and Ecosystem Care for Vancouver Island Properties

With every year that goes by, the benefits of learning to work with nature instead of against it are becoming glaringly clear when it comes to vegetating your property. Jon has watched ecosystems change over the past 35 years, all around the province, some as a result of climate change, and some as a result of human activities such as logging and urban development. Water is in shorter supply, soil organisms are changing (fungi), fish and wildlife species are disappearing due to loss of habitat, and forests are burning.

It is the foundational aim of our company to assist, wherever possible, in the protection and re-establishment of climate change adaptable plant species, particularly listed species, as well as the re-establishment of habitat structure and conditions for Red and Blue Listed fauna.

Designing for a changing climate

Global warming is well documented, and symptoms of it are being demonstrated around the globe. If weather patterns in the last 20 years are indicative, this part of the planet is experiencing not only record high temperatures and drying but also, in keeping with warming, increased wildfire activity. Designing your property with plants that can adapt to and survive climate change just makes sense. For example, due to warmer summers in the last few years, you only have to look around to see that Grand Fir and Cedar are dying all over the south island due to drought. In addition, with increasing demands on local water supplies and increasing restrictions on water use, it’s getting harder and harder to keep up with some of your more water-demanding plants (e.g. cedar hedges). Oakstead can recommend solutions, from xeric gardening to rainwater collection systems, and refer installation to vetted local partners. Biological diversity = resiliency to climate change. Call us to talk about your property. Estimates for a scope of work are free.

Reducing wildfire risk

We can help you reduce the impacts of wildfire on your rural home and property. Jon has 14 fire seasons of experience as a firefighter, initial attack foreman and fire boss. During this time he also conducted site assessments and issued burning permits for the Province of BC. He also has experience with prescribed fire in forests and Protected Areas. Jon can conduct a fuel risk assessment of your property and summarize existing vegetative conditions in a brief report with recommendations for reducing risk and damage.

Oakstead can then refer any changes that may be required, such as reducing “ladder fuels”, thinning trees, or changing garden plants, to vetted local partners.