I can't say I have a favourite invasive specie - but I guess purple loosestrife is objectively pretty?

Cheers!

Catherine

My favourite invasive species is hands down Himalayan blackberry - only because I don't have to deal with them myself up here in the north east but I loved picking them as a kid in the lower mainland.

I did my BSc Biology at UNBC and I am currently working as a fisheries technician based out of Kamloops BC. This season I'm working on a sockeye stock assessment program based out of Chilliwack Lake. I have a little bit of prior experience with invasive species, but I'm looking forward to building on that knowledge and finding ways to tie my learning in with my current job. I'm not sure that I have a favorite invasive species, but I'd say goldfish are definitely my least favorite!

I am looking forward to getting to know you all over the next few months. This is my 4th course in the Ecology Restoration program and I am gaining so much valuable knowledge with each course. Invasive species seem to be abundant and problematic in all ecosystems so it will be interesting to see some mitigation strategies. It’s tough seeing Himalayan blackberry and ivy engulf so much habitat here in the metro Vancouver. I don’t currently work in the restoration sector but being a nature loving person, I am being drawn in that direction and hope to steer my career towards restoration.

Currently living in Alberta, an hour northwest of Calgary. I lived in Victoria for 15 years and originally I am from northern BC. I am a Senior Environmental Scientist for an environmental company. We complete environmental site assessments, land reclamation and remediation. I am looking forward to this course and program to learn more and specialize my career in ecological restoration. I began my career on Vancouver Island as an Environmental Inventory Technician for the District of Saanich. I have a BSc degree from the University of Victoria and a Professional Agrologist designation in BC and Alberta.

For some reason the video and audio recordings in padlet are not working for me? I have opted for this written method and a picture, I apologize for my technical difficulties!

My name is Sarah, I live on the Saanich peninsula on Wasanec territory. I currently work as a project assistant with the Land Trust Alliance of BC. I am a student in the RNS Diploma program, and was also interested in taking these courses so decided to jump in. I've taken quite a few online courses through UVIC at this time, its been enjoyable and fit in well with my work schedule. I have only worked in restoration as a volunteer at this time, but I would love to eventually be able to work in this field. I'm very interested in sand dune ecosystems and salt marshes.

My favourite invasive species is probably Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), several trees have overtaken my yard and it provides most of the shade I am currently blessed with! I like its beautiful foliage and have noticed how even though invasive, these trees provide habitat and cover for many birds.

I have spent a great deal of time exploring the ecosystems of coastal BC, always trying to learn more and understand things better. I am fascinated by ecology and geology, and hope to learn more about how I can contribute to a sustainable future. I look forward to getting to know you all and learning more about you :)

Sarah

Excited to meet all of you and learn together! As usual, would love to arrange a Vancouver study session if anyone is interested :)

work in Indigenous food sovereignty and food security and am interested in the relationships between agriculture and ecology, climate adaptation/resilience, and transcending the dominant western paradigm which is destroying life on earth in grossly unjust ways. I’m looking forward to learning together as we work collectively to heal the land. ❤️

I love learning about invasive species and am

currently in an intense relationship with Hairy Cats Ears (Hypochaeris radicata ). HCE (aka False dandelion) is a member of the Aster family and has naturalized across the globe. It is a very cool species - and edible --- well, more like -- barely palatable. It is also a threat to native species in the Garry Oak associated ecosystem I work in. Management is elusive! The more I learn about invasive species the more I am filled with admiration for their survival strategies.

Also, complex: a meadow blooming with sunshine-yellow Hairy cat's ears -- a novel ecosystem beautiful and useful for generalist pollinators -- but what about the native flora and pollinators?

I'm currently working as an environmental consultant in the Kamloops area, but I am originally from Calgary. I get to work on a lot of neat wildlife projects, including some awesome species, but every once in awhile I get the opportunity to partake in restoration projects, which has peaked my interest and the reason I am in this course.

Arriving in Kamloops less than a year ago, I am new to the grasslands, but love them and would love to see them restored and maintained. Living in the desert has opened my eyes to such a unique and cool ecosystem.

As a wildlife biologist, I am partial to critters, but my favourite invasive species is purple foxglove. It tends to show up in a lot of the disturbed areas that I work and it is just so pretty. Fun fact: every part of purple foxglove is highly toxic!

Anyways, happy learning and looking forward to the next 11 weeks.

(sorry for the lack of a video, my old computer is acting up again).

I've been self-studying the work of Dr. Eric Higgs (Novel Ecosystems and Ecological Restoration) and his contemporaries for the past few years and have found it very compelling especially in the context of what restoration can look like in our current era.

I want to be able to bring further nuance to how invasive species are managed with my region while also expanding my knowledge on invasive species generally.

I highly recommend taking a look at my work's website for comprehensive resources on the major invasive species within the Metro Vancouver region. They will certainly be helpful for many of you in and the province as these species are quite widespread across the continent.

https://iscmv.ca/invasive-species/priority-plants/

I am a landscape designer in Victoria BC. This will be my first course in the ER cert program which I have chosen to enrol in as an opportunity for professional development and to further specialize my skills and offerings. As a designer I am committed to continually expanding my own knowledge base so as to work with the land in a holistic, integrated ad meaningful way. I am very excited to begin this course and to learn from each and everyone of you along the way!

With gratitude,

Sophie

My name is Emily Bickel and I am Environmental Engineer. I started out working in the City of Surrey's Salmon Habitat Restoration Program restoring riparian areas by removing invasives species and improving salmon habitat in streams. In my career I have worked in project management and I hope to eventually restoration projects. My favourite invasive species (because somebody else already stole Himalayan Blackberry) is Himalayan Balsam because I do enjoy pulling them out of the ground. This is my second course in the ecological restoration micro-certificate and I have enjoyed watching all of your videos and I hope to get to know everyone better over the next 4 months!

Hi everyone, my name is Kristina and I reside in Fort St. John, BC within Treaty 8 territory, home of the Dane-zaa. I’ve assisted with restoration projects for several years now and have been interested in learning more about invasive species as they tie into the sites at work as well as at my home, especially over this past summer as we attempt different treatments.

I’ve taken several online courses, including through UVIC to complete the ecological restoration certificate. With this certificate I’m hoping to gain an understanding of holistic restoration for planning and implementation at job sites, including a deeper understanding of the options and challenges faced.

Looking forward to getting to know everyone throughout the course. The ability to learn from and collaborate with others is one of the best parts of the ER program.

Ruth

My name is Shannon Breen and I am working for the the City of Edmonton as the Natural Areas Restoration Tech. This my 2nd course for my 2nd certificate in Ecological Restoration from UVIC. I am excited to be here to learn from and with you all!