We Support
Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society
Stewards of the Somenos Marsh Conservation Area
Paul Fletcher
250.732-0462
www.somenosmarsh.com
email Somenos Marsh Society
 
Our Mission To preserve, restore and manage the Somenos Marsh Conservation Area, to the benefit of the eco-system and the community. Our Vision The Somenos Marsh Conservation Area will be the key component of a mountaintop-to-ocean biodiversity corridor within the Somenos watershed. The SMCA will be regarded by the community as a natural treasure that promotes: • protection of wildlife habitat • education for present and future generations • partnerships with stakeholders and like-minded organizations • the importance of agriculture and food security • love of Nature and place. The SMWS History The Somenos Marsh Wildfe Society (SMWS) was had its origins as the Cowichan Valley Naturalists (CVNS) Somenos Committee. With the CVNS support a separate group was formed in 1988 called the Friends of Somenos. This evolved into the SMWS and became an incorporated society in Jan 1990. The SMCA History The Somenos Marsh Conservation Area started its life as the Somenos Marsh Wildlife Refuge, the name that the SMWS called the area for many years. In 2000, after many years of challenging development issues, that the SMWS brought all the partner- land owners, agencies, local governments etc, together to create the Somenos Management Committee. The SMWS agreed to change the name to the SMCA as a concession to the others and to build cooperation. The SMCA The SMCA now is an area of land and water east of the Trans Canada Highway from Beverly Street to the BC Forest Discovery lands south of Drinkwater road. The SMCA includes Somenos Lake and the Somenos Garry Oak protected Area on the east side of Somenos Creek. It was dedicated as a ‘globally significant’ Important Bird Area (IBA) in 2000. There have been over 200 species of birds Identified in the SMCA making it one of the premiere birding areas on Vancouver Island. To learn more please visit www.somenosmarsh.com http://www.somenosmarsh.comshapeimage_2_link_0
The Land Conservancy
Nicole Haddad
250.737-1401
Keating Farm Estate, 5250 Miller Rd., Duncan
Craigflower Manor and Schoolhouse, Victoria
Abkhazi Gardens, Victoria
Wildwood Ecoforest, Cedar
www.conservancy.bc.ca
nhaddad@conservancy.bc.ca
 
 Keating Farm Estate
o    5250 Miller Road, Duncan
o    Call 250-737-1401 for times or visit www.keatingfarmestate.com
o    Step back in time during your visit to this 1880s farm estate with its historic house including the unique Great Hall. For information about visiting see our website at www.keatingfarmestate.com
 
 
  Abkhazi Gardens
o    1964 Fairfield Road, Victoria
o    The garden, restaurant and gift shop are open year round. Call 250-598-8096
o    Abkhazi Garden is an exquisite heritage home and garden created by Prince and Princess Abkhazi. For information about the garden, restaurant, gift shop, special events or volunteering, visit www.abkhazi.com
 
    Craigflower Manor and Schoolhouse
o    Manor is at 110 Island Highway, Schoolhouse is at 2765 Admirals Road, Victoria
o    Call 250-386-1606 for times or visit www.craigflowermanor.com
o    Located along the Gorge waterway in the Capital Region, both of these facilities are designated as National Historic Sites, important both to the local community and to Canada’s heritage
•    Wildwood Ecoforest
o    2929 Crane Road, Cedar
o    Call (250) 816-1816 for times or email jrastogi@conservancy.bc.ca
o    Wildwood is widely recognized as a model for ecoforestry. It has become a learning site for those wanting skills in ecoforestry and offers a range of workshops and tours.