Victoria airport teams up with volunteers to remove invasive plants

On Oct. 19, 2025, over a dozen community members from across Greater Victoria put in 49 volunteer hours to remove eight cubic metres of English ivy and other invasive plants, which equates to roughly 35 bathtubs full, from the Dickson Woods Forest near Victoria International Airport. Green Teams of Canada’s Greater Victoria Green Team (GVGT) and the Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) announced a new partnership focused on restoring and enhancing the ecological health of forest. Over the next year, volunteers will participate in stewardship activities in the area. “It was my first time volunteering, and I never thought it would feel so satisfying to give back to the community and to nature,” said Bahar Sadeghi, one of the 16 GVGT volunteers at Dickson Woods. “As an essential facility in our community, our ecological systems are the centre of the discussion when we talk about overall climate resilience and adaptation planning,” said Allison Waldick, environmental officer, and sustainability lead from the Victoria Airport Authority. “A healthy ecosystem is a resilient ecosystem providing a ripple effect to further support pollinators, watershed health, and flood mitigation for our region. We have a shared responsibility with the surrounding community to manage invasive species that threaten regional biodiversity.” Green Teams of Canada goal is to engage people of all ages and backgrounds in hands-on environmental action that builds community, supports mental and physical health, and restores natural spaces across Canada. “This partnership with the Victoria Airport Authority is a wonderful example of how collaboration between community and industry can have a powerful impact on both people and the planet,” said Lyda Salatian, founder and executive director of Green Teams of Canada. “We’re thrilled to continue engaging community members at Dickson Woods throughout the year.” Upcoming volunteer opportunities at Dickson Woods Park will take place this fall and continue into spring 2026. web1_251024-vne-gvgt-vaa-partnership-ivy_1 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/shared/feeds/gps/2025/10/web1_251024-vne-gvgt-vaa-partnership-ivy_1.jpg;w=960]