Nature Cards
The Metchosin Biodiversity Project and its supporter, the Metchosin Foundation, have developed tools to help both young and old Metchosin residents monitor and appreciate the natural environments of Metchosin. These resources include boxed sets of nature cards. There have been four sets of nature cards produced so far, featuring local species painted by local artists and field guide descriptions from local authors: Southwestern BC Basic Plant Set (2020), Southwestern BC Art Bird Cards Set 1 (2020) and Set 2 (2021), and the BC Art Nature Cards Mushroom Edition (2022).
Plant Cards
The boxed set of plant cards contains 50 4” X 6” 2-sided cards printed on heavy-stock, waterproof, tearproof paper. The cards describe common plants—and one lichen—from Southern Vancouver Island. The team that created the cards analyzed data from the Metchosin BioBlitzes in order to determine which plants young people were most likely to encounter in the field. You can order a set of cards or download the PDF masters if you wish to develop your own application.
Bird Cards
The Metchosin Artpod, the Rocky Point Bird Observatory, and the Metchosin Foundation worked together to create the bird cards. These 36 4 X 6 2-sided cards, available on either heavy gloss card stock or on waterproof, tearproof paper, feature artwork by Metchosin artists on one side a description of the pictured bird on the other side.
Mushroom Cards
The Metchosin Foundation and the Metchosin ArtPod have collaborated again to produce the latest in our series of nature-inspired art cards, this one featuring common local mushrooms! The 2022 Mushroom Art Card set features the artwork of local artists and field guide descriptions by our local authors of the new book Mushrooms of British Columbia — Kem Luther and Andy MacKinnon!
Further information on the Nature Cards and how to order yours can be found on the Metchosin Biodiversity Project website.
Maps of Metchosin Lands around Schools
A second resource is a set of maps of natural features around both Hans Helgesen and Westmont Montessori schools. The maps show the school grounds, their surrounding areas, and the nearest regional parks.
There are four maps. Electronic images of these maps can be downloaded as JPG images from Metchosin Biodiversity Project website. The maps are:
- Satellite view: Hans Helgesen Public School and Devonian CRD Park region.
- Satellite view: Westmont Montessori and Witty’s Lagoon CRD Park region.
- Contour map: Hans Helgesen Public School and Devonian CRD Park region.
- Contour map: Westmont Montessori and Witty’s Lagoon CRD Park region.
Community Links
Environment
- Habitat Acquisition Trust
- The Land Conservancy of BC
- Metchosin Biodiversity The Metchosin Biodiversity website has comprehensive list of species that have been identified in Metchosin, either through BioBlitz inventories or from historical documents. There is also a link to tools that can be used to appreciate the wild lands and species of Metchosin such as the eco-cards and maps.
- Race Rocks Ecological Reserve
Metchosin
- Metchosin Fire Department
- Metchosin Community Hall
- Metchosin Museum
- Metchosin Community House/Association
- Seniors’ Information and Resource Centre (SIRC)
- Metchosin MuseThe Muse is a monthly paper run by committed volunteers. You may contact them through email at metmuse@shaw.ca
Recreation
- Boys and Girls Club of Greater Victoria
- Camp Thunderbird YMCA/YWCA
- Westshore Parks and Recreation (aka Juan de Fuca Recreation)
Arts
- Westshore Arts Council
- Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts
- Metchosin Arts and Cultural Centre (MACCA)
- Stinking Fish Studio Art Tours (email)