October 18, 2009 BC Explorer’s Club Student hike:

On Sunday October 18 Nine Graduate Students from the University of Victoria and four friends met at the parking lot of Gowlland Tod Provincial Park. . This Park is 1,219 hectares and was opened in 1996. It is located along the east side of the Saanich Inlet just north of Victoria. This park contains part of the Gowlland Range which is home to the rare dry coastal Douglas fir habitat. This ecosystem houses over 150 plant and animal species making it a hotspot of biodiversity.

After a few days of rain, we woke up Sunday to sunshine and warm weather.
Our group included EC student members Steven McGehee and Annie Bourbonnais along with students interested in learning more about the Explorer’s Club. Most of us had been in our university offices and class rooms for the last two months so we were very happy to be outdoors. Highlights included seeing 2 Cooper’s Hawks and a Townsend’s Warber. There were many spectacular views of the Saanich Islet. We enjoyed visiting a 150 year old log home and hand feeding the deer local apples. Everyone agreed we will do this hike again in the spring.

Cheers
Steven M. McGehee