Destruction of Esquimalt’s Natural Assets, by Frances Litman

Destruction of Esquimalt’s Natural Assets

Article and photos by Frances Litman
April 6, 2026

It appears that due to approved development, the Township of Esquimalt and the Department of National Defence continue to add to the senseless destruction of natural habitat for birds, pollinators, urban wildlife and humans to enjoy.

Numerous healthy, mature trees have recently been cut down along two boulevards on Colville Road, far from any possible site of development. And a few blocks away, a once treed and lush garden area in front of the Public Works Yard on Esquimalt Road, just before Canteen Road, was cut to the ground exposing the building, lights, noise and industry to those in apartment buildings and condos on the other side of the street.

The military communications department hasn’t released information about Colville Road yet. However, the significant trees that were there and, what remains, along the road/fence side of the property are well away from any area that could be slated for development and were the only attractive part of the otherwise industrial/military complex that the passerby and neighbours could equally enjoy.

Let it be known that “replacement” trees cannot replace the innumerable assets that mature trees offer. It takes years of care and generations for these trees to begin to measure up to what mature trees offer.

Right now, water is pooling and mud abounds where trees provided a natural filtering and water run off capture system. Why pay for expensive infrastructure to deal with water issues when trees do a better job for free?

As well, given all the industry in this area we need the air purification systems that trees naturally and freely provide. Rates of asthma increase in neighbourhoods where there are few or no trees. This area needs all our mature trees.

Mature trees not only provide these benefits, but offer shade and shelter, beauty and food to pollinators of all descriptions. Not to mention, trees absorb carbon which should be an essential part of the Townships commitment to net zero carbon by 2050.

Had it not been for the foresight and thoughtful planning of those who worked with and around trees in the past, we wouldn’t have trees or any natural habitat at the rate of today’s bare earth development strategies, where every stitch of soil and rock is sold and every inch of the natural world is taken.

Today’s development and planning mentality needs to reconcile with the land so that this special place that we call home retains a semblance of what we have come to know and love as our community for generations to come.

We don’t need to look like every other flat, lifeless asphalt landscape that abounds elsewhere. We are in a crisis where money is being spent on infrastructure that nature could handle far more efficiently. It’s possible to work around and with our natural assets. It requires some foresight and ingenuity, all of which is possible.

To date we have not heard from the Township of Esquimalt as to why this decision was made but learned this on social media:

In case you were wondering- the boulevard in front of the Public Works Yard on Esquimalt Rd. west has been cleared off except for the palm tree and the trees around the propeller at Canteen Rd. This area was home to a rat population that were homing within the roots of the bamboo plants and they were causing damage to property and harassing residents. Majority of the rodents caught. It is looking good now and apparently the area will be replanted.

Esquimalt Climate Organizers and the Creatively United for the Planet Community have joined forces to bring this to the attention of the Township of Esquimalt with the hope we can work together to move from the current destructive, degenerative development approach to a more regenerative, harmonious relationship that benefits our entire community.

The Township needs to implement the Natural Assets Management Strategy.

We urge all levels of government to mandate Low Impact Development (LID) protocols for every project. We must move beyond 20th century clearing methods and adopt technologies such as directional boring for utilities and hydro-vac excavation to protect critical root zones that would allow us to deliver housing and bike lanes without the irreversible loss of our mature canopy.

The solutions and stats exist to prove the benefits of putting the eco back into economy.

Let us celebrate your leadership together towards a more regenerative, natural asset approach to future development in our communities for the benefit of all.

Sincerely,

Frances Litman, Jon O’Riordan, Marjorie Sandercock, Francois Brassard, Graeme Tarling

On behalf of the Creatively United for the Planet Community and the Esquimalt Climate Organizers (ECO)

PS… If in doubt as to the value of every tree left standing, please take a moment to watch and share this informative 6-minute video made by the Halifax parks department: A Tree for All Trades. This film makes clear the fact that large, mature trees are exponentially more beneficial to communities than small trees.