About This Meeting

Join us for a webinar to learn about the devastating impact of invasive species on island ecosystems and how you can help. Discover practical tips for identifying and removing invasive plants from your property. This webinar will also explore the benefits of native plant gardening, including its role in supporting biodiversity and restoring ecosystems. Expert presenters will share valuable insights and techniques for supporting island ecosystems by removing invasive species, and creating beautiful and sustainable native plant gardens.

Presenters:

1. Sara Jim – TŦE NE SNÁ. ĆSELÁE SEN EṮ W̱SÁNEĆ (W̱S͸ḴEM), W̱S͸ḴEM Ivy Project
   Sarah is a visual artist from the W̱S͸ḴEM village in W̱SÁNEĆ with mixed ancestry that includes Coast Salish, Mexican, English, and Russian-Jewish. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Victoria and has worked in the environmental restoration field since 2018. Her art practice explores themes of Indigenous land sovereignty, cultural resurgence, interconnectivity, native plants, and coastal medicines. Advocation for the land through depictions of ethnobotanical representations is the focal point of Sarah’s work. Along with contributing to her community through artwork and land-based healing with the W̱S͸ḴEM Ivy Project, and formerly the PEPÁKEṈ HÁUTW̱ Foundation, she is now pursuing Indigenous language revitalization through the W̱SENĆOŦENIST Program at the W̱SÁNEĆ College. All of these pursuits are to reflect, honour, and care for the beautiful land, sea, and skies that the W̱SÁNEĆ have stewarded since time immemorial.
2. Kyle Clarke – Education Coordinator, WSANEC & PEPÁḴEṈ HÁUTW̱ (PH)
   Kyle, who is of Ukrainian, Irish, and Métis ancestry, grew up on the W̱SÁNEĆ homelands. At the University of Victoria, Kyle majored in Biology and Environmental Studies. He is excited about utilizing his skills and knowledge of science and the local environment to promote ecosystem restoration, protection, and stewardship as a way to heal the places that shaped his adoration for the natural world. Kyle has facilitated outdoor education programs with the PEPAKEṈ HÁUTW̱ Native Plant and Garden Program since 2021; his work is rooted in developing strong relationships with the students in order to create safe spaces, so that everyone feels comfortable to learn and thrive. When Kyle isn’t teaching students about native plants and conserving biodiversity, you can find him tending to native plant propagations and food security gardens, restoring native ecosystems, or helping facilitate the Living Labs Youth Ecostewardship camps around the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ territories.