Celebrating
100 Years
of nature in the city!
Historic Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary
A lot more than Victoria Harbour.
A lot more than birds. Nature in the city.
These events are co-hosted by:
Thank you to our amazing sponsors!
Since 1923
The Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary lies in the land of the lək̓ʷəŋən People, known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations. lək̓ʷəŋən means “place to smoke herring” – First Nations hunted and gathered in this abundant region for thousands of years. When settlers arrived, over-hunting of birds, like the Pacific Black Brant, threatened their populations. Established in 1923 to control hunting, this migratory bird sanctuary provides critical habitat and is home to valuable wildlife including birds, fish, mammals, mollusks, crustaceans, plants, and other organisms including several federally-designated species at risk. Despite its location next to a busy urban area, it remains an important roosting and overwintering site for a large number of migratory bird species that use this vital habitat seasonally or year-round.
Protecting these historic ecosystems
The sanctuary provides critical habitat for many species of coastal and marine plants and animals, including several federally designated Species at Risk. It is home to dozens of rare plants, such as Victoria’s Owl-clover, as well as the now-rare Garry Oak forest and its associated ecosystems.
