The Nature Educator

And the fact that they’re scarring with their own initials… why?!!

The Pacific Madrone (aka Arbutus Tree) is an iconic and incredibly resilient broadleaf evergreen tree, growing along the west coast of North America. They have beautiful orangey/red bark that peels off when mature, revealing the new smooth greenish bark underneath. They can live in very rocky, dry, and salty environments and are culturally and ecologically significant.

To me, this is vandalizing and harming nature. It complexly goes against leaving no trace principles and respecting the other species we share our ecosystems and planet with.

What do you think?

Tidepooling is a quintessential part of a West Coast experience! It is so exciting to walk up to a crevice in the rocks to find a whole community of animals living there. You may find a sea star wedged into a corner opening up a mussel to eat, a crab looking for food around the base of an anemone, or the eyelash-like cirri of a barnacle waving through the water to capture plankton.

As a visitor to their home, let’s make sure that we interact respectfully, like the ʔiisaak Pledge asks of us. For example, ʔiisaaksinḥiʔin (ii-saak-sin-hi-in) teaches us to be respectful of Natural Law, asking us to observe, appreciate and act accordingly.

One example of how to do this is to respect flora and fauna who share a right to coexist, and help advocate for their protection. We can use this principle and follow Gisele Martin’s guidance to be avoid causing stress to tidepool creatures by not poking sea anemones, leaving shells at the beach to be upcycled back into the ecosystem, and to remove garbage or dog p**p from the beach.

Looking for more ways to be a respectful visitor? Learn more about the ʔiisaak Pledge by visiting tribalparks.com

Tofino (n̓ančiqs) is situated on the tip of the Esowista Peninsula, within the traditional haḥuułi of the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) First Nations and their Tribal Parks.

Here’s how to make a basket out of English Ivy 🧺🌿 with Victorinox’s Evoke Alox!

Invasive species are among the biggest threats to native biodiversity. In North America, English Ivy smothers trees and outcompetes native plants, disrupting the ecological balance of natural areas. Removing invasive species helps give native plants the opportunity to recover, but it’s important to dispose of the material responsibly to prevent it from spreading. We can also transform these removed plants into something creative and useful, like a basket!

I used the Evoke Alox to cut the vines, remove the leaves, clean them up, and trim both the stakes and weavers to the perfect lengths. It was the only tool I needed from start to finish. This tool is incredibly durable, featuring a locking blade and Alox scales that provide a secure grip. The Evoke Alox is a great item to include in your outdoor gear, whether you’re into fishing, hunting, bushcraft, camping, or conservation work.

Thank you, Victorinox, for supporting my work to remove invasive species and help native biodiversity thrive!

Forest fires are no joke. Be responsible and don’t throw butts into natural places. Dispose of your trash properly.