Gorge Waterway Action Society

Organization Mandate
The Gorge Waterway Action Society (GWAS) is a non-profit society and a registered charity dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of the Gorge Waterway in Victoria BC.
Our vision is a waterway that is a place of beauty for human recreation and a safe place for the fish, wildlife and plants that make it their home.

Locations
The GWAS' mandate covers the Gorge Waterway and surrounding shoreline from the Johnson Street Bridge in Victoria's Inner Harbour to the and including Portage Inlet. The municipalities of Victoria, Esquimalt, Saanich, and View Royal all border the Gorge.

Current Activities and Projects
The GWAS conducts three types of activities.
AWARENESS:
The GWAS hosts informal swim events in summer months to remind the public that the Gorge is swimmable. The GWAS provides information booths at public events to display Gorge information. GWAS has recently funded the Stream Team to construct a working model of the Gorge. The model is used in local schools to assist the delivery of environmental programs. In addition the GWAS loans Gorge material and historical photos to schools and other interested groups.
WATERWAY RESTORATION: Under the lead of the Land Conservancy of BC (TLC) GWAS is participating in the restoration of the shoreline of specific property under long term covenants.
STEWARDSHIP: GWAS supports stewardship to achieve the short, medium and long term goals for protection, enhancement, restoration of the Gorge. Initiatives are underway to work with landowners, community groups and municipalities to develop and implement Gorge Waterway Stewardship.
WATER QUALITY:
The GWAS continues to work with the Veins of Life Watershed Society (VOLWS)to keep the Gorge clean and by participating in activities such as "Adopt a Shore".
FUNDRAISING:
The annual Rubber Duck Race conducted by GWAS and VOLWS raises funds for the Gorge clean-up. The date for 2003 has yet to be set and we are looking for other organizations that may want to link with us on this project.

Completed Activities and Projects
1. GWAS significantly contributes to the development of Official Community Plans and Neighbourhood plans of the municipalities bordering the Gorge.
2. GWAS benchmarked the status of the Esquimalt Gorge shoreline using video, still photos, maps and narrative documentation to support Esquimalt's implementation of its Gorge Development Permit Zone.
3. GWAS surveyed, photographed and documented the existing dock facilities in the Victoria Arm. The City of Victoria used that data in the development of the City's dock policy in 2000.
4. GWAS surveyed and compiled information about their understanding of Gorge issues from candidates in the 1999 and 2002 municipal elections.
5. GWAS established a Legal Defence Fund to use when necessary to protect the Gorge. The fund was used to convince the City of Victoria to designate as parkland two City owned waterfront lots on Burleith Crescent rather than sell it for development.
6. The GWAS lobbied for several years to convince public officials to open the Selkirk Trestle to pedestrian and cycle traffic.
7. GWAS completed a project to compile historical Gorge information from newspaper and public archives for Gorge awareness displays.

Fundraising Initiatives
The GWAS is currently fundraising for three special purposes.
1. The ongoing clean-up, protection, enhancement and restroation of the Gorge.
2. The bolstering of the GWAS'legal defense fund in order to have funds readily available when a need for action arises.
3. For funding to support the development and delivery of a new UVic course in the School of Environmental Studies, Restoration of Natural Systems Program with a focus on Gorge studies and projects.

Partners
The GWAS works in collaboration with community groups including:
The Veins of Life Watershed Society
The Burnside Gorge Community Association
The Vic West Community Association

Publications
The GWAS publishes a Gorge Newsletter and has a brochure describes the society and invites new members.

Volunteers Required
The GWAS welcomes volunteers with TIME to help with the GWAS newsletter and to participate in events that promote awareness of the Gorge. The GWAS is membership based for a token annual fee but interested persons wishing to assist with the preservation of the Gorge are welcome whether they are members or not.

Conservation Connection

PO Box 44164
Victoria, BC V9A 2A0

Main Contact
Henry Kamphoff
Director
Phone: 250-388-6422
Fax: 250-361-4970
Email: hkamphof@crd.bc.ca

Secondary Contact
Peter Gooch
Director
Phone: 250-727-6195
Fax: 250-479-1700
Email: pgooch@shaw.ca