Communities Protecting Our Coast is happy to choose Carrie Reid to be our monthly Climate Hugs recipient. Reid is an exceptional example of a local person who goes above and beyond to help improve and restore the health of our beautiful Island ecosystems.
Vancouver Island is overrun by alien invaders. No, not little green men, but rather little green plants that do not belong here. Invasive species are recognized as the second-greatest threat to biodiversity after habitat loss. Invasive plants, often brought here by gardeners and commercial nurseries, displace and choke out native plants. This is a worldwide problem, and island environments are particularly at risk because their indigenous plants and animals have not developed the ability to resist the intruders.
Reid works closely with the Coastal Invasive Species Committee, helping them out and learning the best ways to remove problem species. She also works with the Invasive Species Council of B.C., attends their meetings and has been awarded a leadership award by them. A member of the Qualicum First Nation, she has been a key player in the battle to remove invasive plant species from First Nations lands and other island locations.
First Nations peoples have learned how to use native plants over thousands of years for food, medicine and other needs. That knowledge is passed on to newer generations, but finding them, getting to them and harvesting these useful native plants is increasingly challenging when they become overgrown and intertwined with the aliens.
Reid, an accomplished artist and teacher, decided to step up to do something to help. After studying hard, learning from elders and scientists and working the problem, she set about to reverse the invasion - then the real magic happened. She is a calm and level-headed person, but her face suddenly lit up with an extra-bright and proud smile when she started talking about the children. She has been teaching them about how to identify and remove invasive plants. She takes them out on the land to learn and work, resulting in the Qualicum First Nation now having their own little team of invasive species experts – so much so that the invasive plants on their own lands are getting under control.
According to Reid, the most effective programs to mitigate damage and eliminate invasive species have proven to be in partnership with Indigenous communities, because of their intimate knowledge of the land and its natural systems. The land – you hear it spoken by Indigenous people all across Canada. They are not talking about chunks of real estate. They are describing spiritual homes they have lived on for thousands of years. Go out onto the land by yourself and stop, look, listen, feel. It is impossible to develop an Indigenous depth of understanding and reverence for the land with a few camping trips or hikes – but it points us in the right direction.
Nanoose Bay Lions Club makes a monthly $50 donation in the name of each Climate Hugs honouree to be given to the charity of their choice. Reid has chosen to donate hers to the Invasive Species Council of B.C. (bcinvasives.ca).
