The new “Window to the Salish Sea” marine kiosk is now installed at Cattle Point. The four-panel display highlights the local geography, history, oceanography and marine life.
“We wanted to outline the fact that Oak Bay has an exceptional shoreline,” says naturalist Jacques Sirois, who spearheaded the project with oceanographer Chris Garrett.
Oak Bay’s front yard is the Salish Sea. It is rich with wildlife such as whales and seals and otters. It is also one of the best wintering areas for migratory birds in Canada. The shoreline in Oak Bay has been part of Victoria Harbour Bird Sanctuary since 1923. The intent of the kiosk is to bring attention to these assets and natural history.
On July 12, Nature Canada, the largest lobby group of naturalists in Canada, and the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia recognized Greater Victoria as a NatureHood site – an ideal place for urban Canadians to connect with nearby nature and urban wildlife. In Greater Victoria, and in Oak Bay in particular, we have some of the best coastal and marine wildlife in urban Canada. Cattle Point is completely surrounded by a historic bird sanctuary.
“This kiosk is part of our NatureHood celebration,” says Sirois. “There are 15 officially recognized NatureHoods in Canada from coast to coast and arguably we have the best NatureHood right here in Greater Victoria.”
The project, which was designed by Matthias Reinicke, under the guidance of Sirois and Garrett, was made possible by the generous contributions of the Oak Bay Rotary Club, Victoria Natural History Society, Parks and Recreation Foundation of Victoria, Friends of Uplands Park, Ocean Networks Canada, and the family of Stella McLeish.