Sorry this is the second submission, I forgot to add OFLM name and details

OFLM Name: Norman Fennema

Course Name and Number: Environmental History HIST_3991

Name: Panika Saxena

Date: December 7, 2024

I live in Saanich, a municipality in Greater Victoria located on Vancouver Island. This region is rich in ecological and cultural history, lying within the traditional territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Esquimalt Nations) and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. At the heart of this area’s natural heritage are Swan Lake and Christmas Hill, two interconnected landscapes that embody the region’s ecological transformation and ongoing efforts to preserve its environment. I live right in between Christmas Hill and Swan Lake.

For thousands of years, the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples lived in harmony with the land, utilizing its resources through sustainable practices. Swan Lake and Christmas Hill were vital components of their seasonal rounds, offering a mix of wetland and woodland resources. According to Briony Penn in Focus Magazine, Garry oak meadows on Christmas Hill were carefully managed with controlled burns and cultivated for camas bulbs, a key food source. These biodiverse meadows also supported deer, birds, and various native plants, making them essential for both sustenance and culture (“Restoring Camas and Culture,” Focus Magazine).

The significance of Christmas Hill extended beyond its resources. It provided a place for camas harvesting and reflected the intricate relationship between the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples and their environment. Meanwhile, Swan Lake likely served as a seasonal water source and habitat for birds, amphibians, and other wildlife used in hunting and foraging. Together, these sites formed a sustainable system that supported the Indigenous way of life for generations.

The arrival of European settlers in the mid-19th century drastically altered the landscape around Swan Lake and Christmas Hill. According to the Saanich Heritage Register, settlers cleared large tracts of land for farming and grazing, often at the expense of Garry oak meadows and native ecosystems. Livestock grazing disrupted camas bulb harvests, while logging operations further degraded the area’s ecological balance (District of Saanich, “Saanich Heritage Register 2008”).

The introduction of invasive species like Scotch broom and English ivy compounded the ecological damage. These plants, introduced for ornamental purposes and erosion control, quickly outcompeted native species, further threatening the delicate Garry oak ecosystem (GOERT, “Threats to Garry Oak Ecosystems”).

Urbanization in the 20th century brought additional challenges. Residential growth and infrastructure projects, such as roads and utilities, fragmented the habitats surrounding Swan Lake and Christmas Hill. Despite these changes, these areas retained a measure of their natural character, offering a glimpse into Saanich’s ecological past.

Today, Swan Lake and Christmas Hill stand as guardians of Saanich’s natural heritage, preserving what remains of the region’s rich biodiversity. Swan Lake is a renowned bird sanctuary, home to migratory and native bird species such as red-winged blackbirds, wood ducks, and great blue herons. Its wetlands have been carefully restored to provide habitats for birds, turtles, frogs, and other wildlife, making it a hub for local biodiversity. Educational programs and guided tours offered at the Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary highlight the importance of wetland conservation (“Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary”).

Christmas Hill, directly behind my house, is one of the last bastions of the Garry oak ecosystem, one of the most endangered ecosystems in Canada. These meadows, once managed by the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples, now house Garry oak trees, wildflowers like chocolate lilies, and a range of wildlife, including deer and songbirds. The hill’s trails allow residents and visitors to experience this rare ecosystem while fostering a connection to the natural world. Christmas Hill is my favourite sunset spot.

Efforts to protect and restore Swan Lake and Christmas Hill reflect Saanich’s broader commitment to environmental stewardship. Volunteer programs focus on invasive species removal and habitat restoration, ensuring these areas remain ecologically vibrant for future generations. Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary serves as both a refuge for wildlife and a center for environmental education, emphasizing the importance of wetlands in mitigating climate change and supporting biodiversity.

The District of Saanich has also taken steps to promote sustainability more broadly. The Uptown-Douglas Plan outlines goals to expand cycling infrastructure and reduce car dependency, complementing the conservation efforts at Swan Lake and Christmas Hill (District of Saanich, “Uptown-Douglas Plan”).

Swan Lake and Christmas Hill exemplify the resilience of Saanich’s natural heritage in the face of ecological and cultural transformation. From their roots in Indigenous stewardship to their role as urban sanctuaries, these landscapes tell a story of balance, adaptation, and hope. By preserving and restoring these vital ecosystems, Saanich honors its past while looking to a sustainable future. Swan Lake and Christmas Hill truly stand as guardians of Saanich’s rich natural legacy.

References

1. District of Saanich. “Indigenous Relations.” Accessed December 2024. https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/Indigenous-Relations.html.
2. Briony Penn. “Restoring Camas and Culture to Lekwungen and Victoria: An Interview with Lekwungen Cheryl Bryce.” Focus Magazine, June 2006. Accessed December 2024. https://focusonline.ca.
3. Nancy J. Turner. Ancient Pathways, Ancestral Knowledge: Ethnobotany and Ecological Wisdom of Indigenous Peoples of Northwestern North America. Montreal: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2014.
4. District of Saanich. “Saanich Heritage Register 2008.” Accessed December 2024. https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/heritage-register.html.
5. Saanich News. “Garry Oaks and Camas Reveal Agricultural Impacts of Colonialism on Vancouver Island.” September 25, 2021. Accessed December 2024. https://www.saanichnews.com.
6. GOERT (Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team). “Threats to Garry Oak Ecosystems.” Accessed December 2024. http://www.goert.ca/.
7. Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary. “History and Ecology.” Accessed December 2024. https://www.swanlake.bc.ca/.
8. District of Saanich. “Uptown-Douglas Plan.” July 2020. Accessed December 2024. https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Community/Documents/Planning/Action~Plans/Uptown-Douglas-Plan-July2020-web-section10.pdf.