Description
When:
Wednesday, May 27th, 2026, 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Where:
Unitarian Universalist Community Of Victoria
5575 West Saanich Road
Victoria
Need directions? Click here.
Details:
SISKA Monthly Meeting Wednesday May 27, 2026 - 7:00pm
Unitarian Universalist Community Of Victoria Building
5575 West Saanich Road, Saanich BC
with Jacques Sirois NWP
NEARBY NATURE IN AND NEAR, THE VICTORIA HARBOUR
MIGRATORY BIRD SANCTUARY
Tonight's meeting is co-sponsored along with Ocean River Sports
When SISKA asked Jacques if he would be our May speaker he mentioned that Ocean River had asked if he would do a talk for them. In conversation with Jacques and Jammie Dawson from OR, it was decided to do a joint presentation.
Ocean River, a locally owned business, has been a cornerstone of the Victoria paddling community for over 40 years. Ocean River offers guided tours, professional instruction, clinics, rentals, and a full retail shop stocked with quality gear. They don’t just sell the lifestyle — they live it. Ocean River has been a valued SISKA supporter for years
Naturalist, birdwatcher and kayaker, Jacques has been promoting the revitalization of historic Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary (est.1923) for two decades. He will talk about recent, sightings of birds and mammals as well as various restoration projects and events.
He is a partner of the Greater Victoria NatureHood (GVNH), an initiative promoted by Nature Canada* with a particular interest in the future of three regional, historic Migratory Bird Sanctuaries and “Nature in the Cityâ€.
GVNH is also promoting the creation of a UNESCO Biosphere Region in B.C.’s Capital Region.
* originally known as the Audubon Society of Canada.
Jacques, a volunteer warden at the Trial Islands Ecological Preserve, has counted 150 California sea lions, five Steller sea lions and 300 harbour seals on a kayak trip around the rocky shores. “We haven’t seen anything like this for over 25 years.â€
On top of all that, Jacques has been involved with habitat restoration and removal of invasive species. He has led volunteer-driven clearing of non-native plants such as English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, and daphne at key locations including the McNeill Bay bluff and Kitty Islet shoreline. The cleared areas were replanted with indigenous species such as Garry oaks, Pacific crabapple, Saskatoons, and Oregon grape to restore habitat for migratory birds.
Wednesday, May 27th, 2026, 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Where:
Unitarian Universalist Community Of Victoria
5575 West Saanich Road
Victoria
Need directions? Click here.
Details:
SISKA Monthly Meeting Wednesday May 27, 2026 - 7:00pm
Unitarian Universalist Community Of Victoria Building
5575 West Saanich Road, Saanich BC
with Jacques Sirois NWP
NEARBY NATURE IN AND NEAR, THE VICTORIA HARBOUR
MIGRATORY BIRD SANCTUARY
Tonight's meeting is co-sponsored along with Ocean River Sports
When SISKA asked Jacques if he would be our May speaker he mentioned that Ocean River had asked if he would do a talk for them. In conversation with Jacques and Jammie Dawson from OR, it was decided to do a joint presentation.
Ocean River, a locally owned business, has been a cornerstone of the Victoria paddling community for over 40 years. Ocean River offers guided tours, professional instruction, clinics, rentals, and a full retail shop stocked with quality gear. They don’t just sell the lifestyle — they live it. Ocean River has been a valued SISKA supporter for years
Naturalist, birdwatcher and kayaker, Jacques has been promoting the revitalization of historic Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary (est.1923) for two decades. He will talk about recent, sightings of birds and mammals as well as various restoration projects and events.
He is a partner of the Greater Victoria NatureHood (GVNH), an initiative promoted by Nature Canada* with a particular interest in the future of three regional, historic Migratory Bird Sanctuaries and “Nature in the Cityâ€.
GVNH is also promoting the creation of a UNESCO Biosphere Region in B.C.’s Capital Region.
* originally known as the Audubon Society of Canada.
Jacques, a volunteer warden at the Trial Islands Ecological Preserve, has counted 150 California sea lions, five Steller sea lions and 300 harbour seals on a kayak trip around the rocky shores. “We haven’t seen anything like this for over 25 years.â€
On top of all that, Jacques has been involved with habitat restoration and removal of invasive species. He has led volunteer-driven clearing of non-native plants such as English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, and daphne at key locations including the McNeill Bay bluff and Kitty Islet shoreline. The cleared areas were replanted with indigenous species such as Garry oaks, Pacific crabapple, Saskatoons, and Oregon grape to restore habitat for migratory birds.