In anticipation of the climate change impact here on Vancouver Island, Oak Bay Parks, Recreation and Culture is hosting a free community presentation on adaptation.
The presentation is a partnership between Oak Bay and the Friends of Uplands Park, and features two speakers, long-time B.C. climate researcher Dr. Richard Hebda and the director of UBC’s Bachelor of Urban Forestry program, Dr. Stephen Sheppard.
It’s the latest Oak Bay speaker series that last year focused on Oak Bay’s Urban Forest Strategy and Uplands Park restoration and preservation, said Chris Hyde-Lay, Manager of Parks Services.
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“Hebda and Sheppard are going to present along the lines of what to expect as we move forward in this century on southern Vancouver Island, in terms of what to expect with the Island’s warmer, drier climate,” Hyde-Lay said.
Hebda has long been engaged in First Nations ethnobotany and native species.
Sheppard brings a uniquely fresh project called the Citizens Coolkit. It’s a well detailed plan that engages residents to be proactive with what they can do regrading tree planting, not just to climate proof, but things we can do moving forward, Hyde-Lay said.
“Right down to fruit trees in your garden,” Hyde-Lay said.
The two will hold a question and answer period following their presentations.
Monday night’s Experts Talk on Adapting to Climate Change starts at 7 p.m. at Monterey Recreation Centre.
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