Moralea’s Meadow is located in Metchosin behind the Fire Hall at 4440 Happy Valley Road. It is between the Metchosin District Office and the Old Barn Museum/Farmers’ Market areas. We are open all year and all day however, there are no lights so night visits are not advised.
Access & parking
- Parking is available on Paton Way beside the Old Barn Museum and in the District Office parking lot.
- You may enter through gates at the north and south ends of the Meadow.
- Please make sure the gates are always securely fastened.
- While there is a gravel path, be aware that it is not specifically designed for wheelchairs, and the footing may be uneven.
- Please stay on the path.
- A bench is available near the south end of the path.
While you are in the Meadow, please remember:
- Please do not pick any of the flowers or berries.
- Please do not remove any plant markers or signs. They may indicate where there are dormant bulbs or newly planted seeds that should not be disturbed.
- The Meadow is a no smoking area.
- Dogs are not welcome in the Meadow.
- Please take your garbage with you.
Emergency contact
- If you see anything of concern that needs immediate attention, please notify the District Office (during business hours) or email: info@moraleasmeadow.ca.
Scaled map of Moralea’s Meadow in Metchosin
One of our volunteers, an archaeologist, created this scale map of the Meadow. We have installed a series of stakes in the Meadow to enable us to accurately identify the position of rocks, trees, plants, and other landscape features.
Native plants in Moralea’s Meadow
When restoration began, there were not many native species left in the Meadow. We found small numbers of Garry oak, Douglas fir, common camas, sea blush, snowberry, red flowering currant, a few native grasses, sword fern and June plum. Non-native shrubs, grasses and other weeds were dominant.
The following list includes the native plant species which are currently in the Meadow. Many have been added during the restoration process.
| Photo | Common name | Scientific name (links to more information) |
|---|---|---|
|
Common Camas | Camassia squamash ssp. maxima |
|
Yarrow | Achillea millefolium |
|
Sea Blush | Plectritis congesta |
|
Garry Oak | Quercus garryana |
|
Oceanspray | Holodiscus discolor |
|
Small-flowered Blue-eyed Mary | Collinsia parviflora |
|
Fool's Onion | Triteleia hyacinthina |
|
Red Maids | Calandrinia ciliata |
|
Arbutus | Arbutus menziesii |
|
Red-flowering currant | Ribes sanguineum |
|
White Fawn Lily | Erythronium oregonum |
|
Licorice Fern | Polypodium glycyrrhiza |
|
Thimble Berry | Rubus parviflorus |
|
Sword Fern | Polystichum munitum |
|
Satin Flower | Olsynium douglasii |
|
Shooting Star | Primula hendersonii |
|
Western Buttercup | Ranunculus occidentalis |
|
Nodding Onion | Allium cernuum |
|
Self-heal | Prunella vulgaris ssp. lanceolata |
|
Dull Oregon Grape | Berberis nervosa |
|
Miner's Lettuce | Claytonia perfoliata |
|
June Plum or Osoberry | Oelmeria cerasiformis |
|
Field Chickweed | Cerastium arvense |
Animal life in Moralea’s Meadow
The Meadow hosts a variety of animals, including non-native deer and rabbits. Our fencing is fortified to keep out rabbits, but we would need a 6-foot fence to prevent the entry of deer. There is an impressive nest of thatching ants that is at least 20 years old. Many types of pollinators visit the flowers including native bumblebees and the non-native honeybees. Other species include birds and tree frogs. We anticipate that more species will seek refuge during migration or come to live in the Meadow as the plants become better established.
| Photo | Common name | Scientific name (links to more information) |
|---|---|---|
|
Thatching Ant | Formica obscuripes |
|
Bumble Bee | Bombus sp. |
|
Townsend's vole | Microtus townsendii |
|
Sparky the Firehall cat | Sparky is an outdoor cat that visits us in the Meadow. We enjoy his presence in general but he and other outdoor cats wreak havoc on wildlife. |