Victoria Harbour
Victoria Harbour is the centrepiece of the city. Its waters reflect the impressive views of the Parliament Buildings and the Empress Hotel, and the comings and goings of boats of all shapes and sizes. As a transportation corridor, a tourist promenade, an industrial zone, a migratory bird sanctuary and a recreational area, many demands are placed on the harbour to satisfy human needs and yet to retain its natural beauty. Although the industrial past and urban present have taken their toll on the environment, ecological values remain that are worth protecting. New developments and redevelopments along the shoreline in Victoria Harbour represent opportunities to restore some of the natural attributes of this heavily modified environment.
Did you know?
- The historic “park-like” setting around Victoria Harbour – oak trees with wildflower meadows – was created through deliberate land management by First Nations.
- An inlet and salt marsh once existed where the Empress Hotel now stands.
- Victoria Harbour is a federal Migratory Bird Sanctuary.
- A public and business education program, coupled with a $32 million clean-up project, is underway to remediate Rock Bay, a severely polluted area in Victoria Harbour.
Multi-agency & Community Stewardship Groups
The Burnside Gorge Community Association conducts education and outreach to the public and local businesses, monitors water quality, removes invasive species, and contributes to maintenance of a native plant garden adjacent to Cecelia Creek, in the Gorge Waterway. They have been particularly active in projects in Rock Bay and Cecelia Creek.
Additional References & Links
Websites
Articles
- CRD Stormwater News, November 2004 (PDF
) - AXYS Environmental Consulting Ltd. 2002. Management Review of Victoria Harbour Navigation Activities: Air Quality and Noise Impact Screening.
- Archipelago Marine Research Ltd. 2000. A Subtidal Survey of the Physical and Biological Features of Victoria Harbour.
- Archipelago Marine Research Ltd. 1996. The Environmental Status of Upper Victoria Harbour and Selkirk Waters.
- Humphrey, B. EnviroEd Consultants Ltd. 1998. Assessment of Metals and PAHs in Sediments From Stormwater Discharges and Streams 1998 Sampling Program.
- LGL Limited Environmental Research Associates. 1995. Environmental Priorities for Victoria and Esquimalt Harbours.
- Keddie, G. Songhees Pictorial; a History of the Songhees People as seen by Outsiders, 1790-1912. Royal BC Museum, Victoria B.C, 2003.
- Grant, P. Victoria, a History in Photographs. Altitude Publishing Ltd. Canmore, AB. 1995.
- Pojar, J., MacKinnon, A. et al. Plants of Coastal British Columbia. Lone Pine Publishing, Vancouver, B.C. 1994.
- Sutherst, J. 2003. Lost Streams of Victoria. (map with text)
- Shepard, M.G. 1999. Victoria and Esquimalt Harbours Bird Censuses, 1997-1999. Orca Technologies International Inc.
