Pictured Above: Parking Lot or Natural Area? What does a sustainable campus look like? (Photo credit: Andrew MacKinnon, Feb. 4th, 2013)
Campus
Plan 2003, pg. 18
Proposed Revisions for 2013-2023 in Bold
2.3.1
Natural Areas
A
large area of the campus is considered natural. Outside Ring Road,
this includes Mystic
Vale,
Haro Woods, the Garry Oak Meadow, the South Woods and the Bowker
Creek
wetlands.
These natural areas are environmentally important, contribute
substantially to
UVic’s
visual image, and have been actively used by the faculty as a
resource for teaching
and
research. The treed areas have significant aesthetic value because
they are the first
view
of the campus from its major south and west entrances. The green
perspective from
the
Henderson Road approach is unique among Canadian university campuses,
and is the
signature
vista of UVic.
As
a public institution, the University acknowledges a responsibility to
maintain natural areas in as pristine a condition as possible for the
well being of the community. The University's role of steward of
natural areas includes leading with community partners to improve the
habitat quality for native species of plants and animals,
acknowledging a connection with the traditional uses by First Nations
and facilitating appropriate uses of natural areas by the surrounding
community.
There
are ongoing concerns about the conditions of some of the natural
areas, especially
with
regard to invasive species and the impacts to soil conditions and
drainage patterns
from
construction and other activities. There are also concerns regarding
the use of the
Cunningham
Woods within Ring Road.
The
following policy directions will guide future protection, restoration
and enhancement
of
the University’s natural areas. Wherever the ‘A’
symbol
appears, this denotes that there is
a
corresponding action item in Section 5.
Policy
Directions – Natural Areas
OS#1
Protection
The
principal natural areas of the campus are identified in Figure 3.
Mystic
Vale
and Haro Woods are protected from development in perpetuity. The
University
is committed to the preservation of the entire forested area
associated
with Mystic Vale and Haro Woods to ensure the long-term health
of
the area as habitat for local flora and fauna. The University pledges
to improve the biophysical condition of Mystic Vale and Haro Woods by
working with appropriate municipal authorities, (ie. stormwater
control in Hobbs Creek).
OS#2
Protection
There
will be a moratorium for 10 years on any form of development in
all
other natural areas outside Ring Road, as identified in Figure 3.
This
includes
the South Woods, Finnerty Gardens, Garry Oak Meadow and
Bowker
Creek wetlands. The addition of paths and underground services
will
be exempt from this moratorium. The University pledges to extend this
moratorium in perpetuity and will endeavor to identify non-essential
degraded areas and restore them.
OS#3
Protection
There
will be a freeze on the use of Cunningham Woods for 10 years as
identified
in Figure 3 and shown in larger scale on the following page.
Further
definition of the boundaries of this area may occur, following
the
completion of the environmental study to be undertaken in the
implementation
of this plan. The University pledges to extend the moratorium on
Cunningham Woods in perpetuity.
OS#4
Potential
Protection
There
are additional pockets of natural areas within the Landscaped Areas
and
Buildings Area in Figure 3 that may be identified for protection at
the
time
new buildings and facilities are being planned. The area known as the
CJVI property will be included in the moratorium on development for
10 years. For any new buildings or facilities constructed after 2013,
the University pledges to purchase an equivalent land area for
restoration to its natural state, in effect a non-net loss policy
for natural areas.
OS#5
Restoration
– ‘A’
The
University will engage in plans, implementation activities, and
monitoring
programs to steward appropriate natural areas back to better
health.
Native plants will replace invasive species, except in the University
Gardens.
The University will complete an ecological inventory and map of
the
entire campus, including areas of ecological value that may exist in
the
Landscaped
Areas and Buildings Area in Figure 3. The university will institute a
“living laboratory” style mandate to engage students, faculty,
administration and the
public and private sector in restoration practices. It will set hard
targets for removing invasive species, improving habitat and
increasing the native species biodiversity of all natural areas on
campus.
OS#6
Access
and Enjoyment – ‘A’
A
planned pathway system will allow people to enjoy the natural areas
of
the
campus. Provisions for personal safety will be included. The
University will implement a new trail system in Mystic Vale and other
natural areas which will minimize the negative impact on human
activity on Hobbs Creek and other sensitive wetlands, while
maintaining public recreational uses.
OS#7
Perimeter
Enhancement – ‘A’
Additional
plantings will be added to supplement the natural areas
and
enhance the University’s visual appearance to the surrounding
communities.
Plantings will focus on the existing natural areas specifically
including restoration of Garry Oak ecosystems as a priority.
OS#8
Storm
Water Management – ‘A’
The
University, in its preparation of an integrated comprehensive
stormwater
management plan, will consider natural drainage patterns and
innovative
designs to achieve no net increase in storm water run off. The
University will take a lead role in negotiating a new storm water
policy with Municipal authorities concerning stormwater flows
entering and leaving campus and adversely affecting Mystic Vale and
other wetland area currently being affected.
OS#9
Impacts
of Development – ‘A’
Environmental
studies will be conducted as an integral part of the planning
and
design program for new buildings and facilities. The University will
also
complete
an ecological inventory and map of the entire campus, including
areas
of ecological value that may exist in the Landscaped Area and
Buildings
area as shown in Figure 3. The University will abide by an ecosystem
planning model when making decisions with regard to land use,
including a no net-loss policy of natural areas.
Campus
Plan 2003, pg. 46
5.2
NATURAL AND LANDSCAPED OPEN SPACE (REFER TO SECTION 2)
Action
#6 More
Environmental Study
Undertake
further environmental studies on natural areas
identified
in Figure 3 (p. 22) with an emphasis on identifying
all
components of a maintenance and restoration strategy.
Complete
an ecological inventory and map of the entire
campus,
including areas of ecological value that may exist in
the
Landscaped and Buildings Area in Figure 3. Institute an annual
Ecosystem Report Card to determine the current biological trajectory
and biodiversity in natural areas over time.
Action
#7 Restoration
Projects
Implement
and monitor restoration projects to steward natural
areas
to better health, replacing invasive flora with native,
drought-tolerant
plants. Outline how to involve community
volunteers
on these projects. Implement a “living laboratory” model to
engage academia, administration and the public and private sector to
undertake comprehensive restoration of natural areas and to convert
non -essential surplus lands to a more natural state.
Action
#8 Perimeter
Enhancement
Plant
additional native, drought-tolerant vegetation around the
campus
perimeter. Encourage the restoration of a variety of ecosystem types
including significant Garry Oak ecosystems located on the perimeter
and throughout the campus.
Action
#9 Pathways
Maintain
and extend a pathway system through natural areas
and
landscaped spaces. Decommission existing trails in Mystic Vale which
are adversely impacting Hobbs Creek and create new trail system to
avoid negative impacts on creek and wetland areas on campus.
Action
#10 Campus
Entries
Undertake
potential improvements to the campus entrances,
as
part of the comprehensive way-finding study (Reference:
Action
25). Construct signage at entries and around campus to identify
native species and the importance of natural areas.
Action
#11 Impact
Studies
Engage
environmental specialists to undertake impact studies
during
the planning and design of new buildings and facilities. Adopt an
ecosystem based planning model with regard to any new buildings and
facilities. Include a policy of no net loss of natural areas.
Action
#12 Outdoor
Recreation Strategy
Undertake
further planning for outdoor recreation areas. Clearly indicate areas
that undergo restoration to avoid conflict with outdoor recreation
uses. Encourage participation of outdoor recreational users in
restoration projects.
Action#13
Traditional
Land Uses
Acknowledge
the traditional land uses of First Nations peoples with signage and
promote the restoration of natural areas for traditional land uses.
Encourage participation of First Nations in determining restoration
goals for natural areas.
