Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary

Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary is an accessible green space in an urban landscape and includes two distinct ecosystems, a wetland around Swan Lake and a rocky, Garry oak-forest on top of Christmas Hill. Both habitats are home to an incredible array of rare and threatened native plants and wild animals.
We are responsible to steward these lands on behalf of the District of Saanich, protecting and restoring these sensitive ecological spaces. We also provide education and public outreach through our various programs, events and initiatives.

Company History

Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary Society was established in 1975 by dedicated individuals who formed a vital gathering hub for people of all ages to connect with nature and with one another through educational programs and hands-on ecological restoration opportunities.

We act as stewards for this land that is the traditional territory of the lək’ʷəŋən (Songhees and Esquimalt) Peoples, and the lək’ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day. We respect the vital relationships of First Peoples with these lands and waters for countless generations. We are honoured to receive Indigenous guidance and welcome collaboration in stewardship and appreciation of the Nature Sanctuary.

Our non-profit society is also a charitable organization, led by a volunteer Board and an small team of dedicated employees, and hundreds of volunteers who work in a wide range of roles to support Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary’s mission to conserve and restore Nature Sanctuary lands and waters while inspiring stewardship through community engagement and collaboration.

2025 marks the society’s 50th anniversary – we are engaging in a strategic planning process to help guide us in our next 50 years of work and service.

Company Facts

Christmas Hill has been awarded Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) status – it is the home of 250+ plant species and 700+ animals.
Swan Lake is a Level 3 BC Lake, part of the BC Lake Stewardship Society. We conduct regular water monitoring to assess and help determine opportunities for improving the health of this ecologically-significant riparian area in the Capital Regional District.
Over 25,000 kg of non-native plants were removed by our Site Team and volunteers in 2024.
We work with school groups, volunteers, and members of the community to restore the lands at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary.
Over 93,000 trail users and 15,000 Nature House visits in 2024 demonstrate the importance and high-use of Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary to residents and visitors.