2026 Garry Oak Ecosystems Gathering
Saturday, November 7, 2026
9am to 4pm
at University of Victoria
We are excited to announce that the 18th annual Garry Oak Ecosystems Gathering will be taking place on November 7, 2026 on Lək̓ʷəŋən Territory at the University of Victoria! We invite you to join us as we come together to learn, share, and build community.
The Garry Oak Ecosystems Gathering aims to bring together First Nations, researchers, practitioners, governments, community members, and students who are actively involved or interested in restoring prairie oak and associated ecosystems.
The Gathering
Our desire is to nurture a space in which communities can come together and learn from each other, with a focus on platforming Indigenous voices, ways of knowing, and protocols. The day will weave together important teachings alongside time for questions, discussion, and refection.
We are honoured for Scott Sam of W̱JOȽEȽP Nation to lead the day in protocol and songs. Over the day, there will be presentations on a range of topics from distinguished speakers including:
- Beangka Elliott (W̱SÁNEĆ Nation) – Knowledge Keeper
- Bobbi-Jo Basarab (Hwlitsun Hul’quim’num) and Adam Huggins — Galiano Conservancy Q’úyél q’úwen (Restoring the Balance) Project
- Kate McIntyre, Jiaju Wu, and Ryan Senechal (GOMPS, UBC) — Remote Sensing: a collaboration to accurately locate and measure Garry Oak trees in Saanich and Victoria
- Kristen Miskelly (Satinflower Nurseries) — Regional seed supplies for prairie oak ecosystems
- Nancy Shackelford and Darcy Mathews (University of Victoria) — The importance of integrating archaeology and heritage into restoration thinking
The program will include breaks throughout the day with ample time to enjoy refreshments and connect with other participants. The price of admission includes a delicious premium boxed lunch catered by Songhees Events and Catering.
Self-identified Indigenous attendees are eligible for complimentary registration. We also have a modest fund to help reduce financial barriers and support Indigenous participation in the Gathering. Individuals who register as Indigenous attendees will be contacted directly by email to discuss whether financial assistance would help make attendance possible. Please note that support funds are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Download the program guide (PDF) →
Register to attend the November 7th Gathering on EventBrite. →
Field Trips
In addition, we invite you to join us for two special friend field trips (on November 6th and 8th) that give participants the opportunity to learn and work on the land, while building community:
MÁW̱UEĆ Restoration Tour & Community Planting Day
Friday November 6th | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
UVic Learning Meadow Tour & Community Restoration Day
Sunday November 8th | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Learn more about these field trips and register. →
Sponsors
Thank you to the generous sponsors who made this event possible:
- Alder Environmental Landscapes
- AtkinsRéalis
- Bartlett Tree Experts
- Castilleja Conservation Society
- The Capital Regional District
- Coastal Oak and Prairie Working Group
- The District of Saanich
- The District of Oak Bay
- Donations in memory of Dave Polster
- Emony Nicholls Ecological Garden Design
- Friends of Uplands Park
- Garry Oak Meadow Preservation Society
- Grasslands Conservation Council of British Columbia
- Integral Ecology Group
- Islands Trust Conservancy
- Kiki Nursery
- Ministry of Water, Land & Resource Stewardship
- Nature Victoria
- Oak Environmental Restoration
- Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions
- Polster Environmental
- Radio Victoria
- Rocketday Arts
- Russell Nursery
- Satinflower Nurseries
- Streamside Native Plants
- Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary
- University of Victoria