Glamorgan Farm prides itself in implementing sound environmental practices and is a participant in The Environmental Farm Plan which is administered by the B.C. Agricultural Council. Here are our top ten environmental priorities: (in random order)

1. A Sound System of Manure Management:
Run-off and leaching from livestock manure is harmful to the local water courses that drain throughout North Saanich and eventually into the ocean. Manure must be managed to prevent this run-off, stored on high ground, contained and covered in wet weather.

2. Limited Burning Activity:
Winter and garden debris can be chipped or decomposed and be used to replenish the forest and garden soils and be used as mulch or on pathways.
Dead trees are topped and the remaining standing trunks are left as “habitat trees”.
“Nurse Logs” are those trunks which have fallen and are lying on the ground, left to decay and feed the soil and house wildlife and plants. Nurse logs are an important supplier to the forest food chain.
Some burning is beneficial however, as it kills plant diseases, fungus, rusts and invasive plants.

3. Encouraging “Volunteer Plants” and the Planting of Native Species:
Nature knows where she wants to grow and interference of this process by us is limited. “Volunteers” have popped up throughout Glamorgan Farm often where you would least expect! Nettles and thistles may be unattractive and annoying to us, but butterflies and bees love them, so if there is an area where you can allow these plants to thrive, wildlife will appear and thank you! Native plants can include Red Elderberry, Indian Plum, the Trumpet Honeysuckle, Red Ossier Dogwood, Salmon Berry, Mock Orange, Nootka Rose, Ocean Spray and the Snow Berry. There are many more. Glamorgan Farm obtains their native plants from Russell Nurseries here in North Saanich. Native plants can be used very effectively in hedgerows and gardens. Check out the great selection of native plants at Russell Nursery on Wain Road, North Saanich.

4. Planting Hedgerows:
Hedgerows provide habitat, shelter and food for many types of birds and wildlife. They also act as erosion barriers, pollution deterrents and wind buffers and livestock fencing.

5. Preservation of Heirloom Plants and Heritage Breeds of Livestock:
Are supported and produced to preserve original “pure” seed and rapidly declining gene pools.
Genetically modified livestock raised for fast meat production, confined to gain weight quickly, and fed growth hormones and other chemicals is NOT practised. Glamorgan Farm provides high standards of livestock care including large roaming areas and high quality feeds, routine and regular grooming and veterinary care.

6. Organic Gardening Practices:
Composting of all garden waste, water conservation and collection, companion planting, mulching, crop and field rotation and a total lack ofpesticide/herbicide use is practised. Ground water is conserved and run-off discouraged by maintaining all pathways and lanes, parking areas and bare spaces as permeable surfaces (no asphalt or cement) such as gravel, sand or wood chips. Bee pollination is encouraged (orchard mason bee houses are placed in the heirloom orchard) and butterfly and hummingbird plantings are arranged over several areas of the farm.
Did you know that Orchard Mason Bees do not have a stinger?

7. Recycling of all Farm Material:
Baling twine, feed bags, tools, unused feed etc. are recycled or re-used.

8. Control of Invasive Species and Pests:
Hand pulling, digging and clipping of invasive, harmful weeds is part of a regular, seasonal routine. Climbing ivy can choke trees and broom can disrupt a healthy, nutritious pasture.
Livestock crop rotation is practised. For example, llamas find many invasive weeds delicious and chickens LOVE slugs! Lady bugs eat aphids, and bats and swallows eat mosquitoes.
Bat and swallow houses are erected on various farm buildings.

9. Restoration of the Garry Oak Meadow and Woodland
Link to the Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team: www.goert.ca
This group provides a very informative brochure and booklet on the correct approach to restore a Garry Oak meadow, and which plants, animals and birds will be attracted to live there such as the Townsends Big Eared Bat, the Deltoid Balsam Root, Bearded Owl Clover, and the Sharp-Tailed Snake.
Of course we all recognize the more obvious and beautiful carpets of royal blue camas and pink nodding onions which thrive in a healthy Garry Oak meadow.

10. Regular and Organic Care of Our Septic Tank:
Our local CRD office gives excellent short courses on the care of septic tanks.
We practice three main habits:

1. We keep the top of the field mowed to discourage compacting.
   
2. We never allow toxic substances (which harm the useful microbes) to go down the drain.
   
3. We limit water usage and keep the tank pumped.