It's a Fact Throughout the year, Beth donates her time to ELSI by fundraising, monitoring fish and water quality, coordinating and training other volunteers, and working on plant propagation and creek restoration.

The Lagoon and Peninsula, regionally significant due to its designation as a Federal Migratory Bird Sanctuary and its importance to First Nations, face many challenges including intensive human use, multiple jurisdictions and invasive plants and animals. As a long-time volunteer, Beth shares the ELSI vision to protect, enhance, and restore the health of the Esquimalt Lagoon for present and future generations of people, plants and animals. Beth is also a vital member of ELSI’s Steering Committee and its subcommittee, the Esquimalt Lagoon Enhancement Association, (ELEA).

Throughout the year, Beth donates her time to ELSI by fundraising, monitoring fish and water quality, coordinating and training other volunteers, and working on plant propagation and creek restoration. Her fundraising initiatives have allowed for the reconstruction of a greenhouse that grows native plants for local watershed projects.

Since 2003, Beth has conducted monthly water quality monitoring tests and has also taken on the responsibility of training and mentoring all new volunteers with ELSI. For the past six years, Beth has coordinated and trained a group of volunteers to collect and identify plants growing in the lagoon and also its tributary, Colwood Creek. With the data collected, Beth has helped ELSI map the changing shoreline of the lagoon.

At nearby Bee Creek, Beth is working as a volunteer (with the Pacific Family Services Association) to propagate native plants and restore the creek back to a healthy state. She spends countless hours at its nursery watering, weeding and taking care of the plants.

Beth is often a voice for the environment at public meetings and as an educator in the community, handing out educational materials, talking to local residents and gathering public input on ELSI initiatives.

Overall, Beth’s participation has contributed to a stronger scientific background to ELSI’s work, preventing further loss and destruction of habitat and building a strong stewardship ethic among fellow volunteers, students and local residents.