{"id":989,"date":"2025-05-25T12:11:11","date_gmt":"2025-05-25T19:11:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/friendsofcentennialsquare.ca\/?page_id=989"},"modified":"2025-05-26T12:47:21","modified_gmt":"2025-05-26T19:47:21","slug":"centennial-square-sequoia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/friendsofcentennialsquare.ca\/?page_id=989","title":{"rendered":"Centennial Square Sequoia"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"989\" class=\"elementor elementor-989\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9a73633 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9a73633\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eec31e2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"eec31e2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Centennial Square Sequoia<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1655860 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1655860\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d916f19 elementor-skin-carousel elementor-arrows-yes elementor-pagination-type-bullets elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-media-carousel\" data-id=\"d916f19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;skin&quot;:&quot;carousel&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;,&quot;show_arrows&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pagination&quot;:&quot;bullets&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:500,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;loop&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;space_between&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;space_between_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;space_between_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"media-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-main-swiper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Slides\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.change.org\/p\/save-the-mighty-sequoia-tree-at-centennial-square-victoria-bc-from-wrongful-demolition\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\t\t<div class=\"elementor-carousel-image\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Sequoia - City Photo\" style=\"background-image: url(&#039;https:\/\/friendsofcentennialsquare.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Sequoia-City-Photo.jpg&#039;)\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.change.org\/p\/save-the-mighty-sequoia-tree-at-centennial-square-victoria-bc-from-wrongful-demolition\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\t\t<div class=\"elementor-carousel-image\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"20240205_120006\" style=\"background-image: url(&#039;https:\/\/friendsofcentennialsquare.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/20240205_120006-scaled.jpg&#039;)\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.change.org\/p\/save-the-mighty-sequoia-tree-at-centennial-square-victoria-bc-from-wrongful-demolition\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\t\t<div class=\"elementor-carousel-image\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"20231205_143724\" style=\"background-image: url(&#039;https:\/\/friendsofcentennialsquare.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/20231205_143724-scaled.jpg&#039;)\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.change.org\/p\/save-the-mighty-sequoia-tree-at-centennial-square-victoria-bc-from-wrongful-demolition\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\t\t<div class=\"elementor-carousel-image\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"20231205_142646\" style=\"background-image: url(&#039;https:\/\/friendsofcentennialsquare.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/20231205_142646-scaled.jpg&#039;)\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.change.org\/p\/save-the-mighty-sequoia-tree-at-centennial-square-victoria-bc-from-wrongful-demolition\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\t\t<div class=\"elementor-carousel-image\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"20231205_141920\" style=\"background-image: url(&#039;https:\/\/friendsofcentennialsquare.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/20231205_141920-scaled.jpg&#039;)\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.change.org\/p\/save-the-mighty-sequoia-tree-at-centennial-square-victoria-bc-from-wrongful-demolition\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\t\t<div class=\"elementor-carousel-image\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"20231205_141814\" style=\"background-image: url(&#039;https:\/\/friendsofcentennialsquare.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/20231205_141814-scaled.jpg&#039;)\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.change.org\/p\/save-the-mighty-sequoia-tree-at-centennial-square-victoria-bc-from-wrongful-demolition\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\t\t<div class=\"elementor-carousel-image\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Centennial Square Sunday 14\" style=\"background-image: url(&#039;https:\/\/friendsofcentennialsquare.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Centennial-Square-Sunday-14-scaled.jpg&#039;)\">\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Previous\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"eicon-chevron-left\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Next\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"eicon-chevron-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5600783 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"5600783\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-pulse-grow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.change.org\/p\/save-the-mighty-sequoia-tree-at-centennial-square-victoria-bc-from-wrongful-demolition\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">SIGN THE PETITION TO SAVE THE SEQUOIA<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3eee320 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3eee320\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><strong>The Centennial Square Sequoia<\/strong><\/h2><p><strong>The Centennial Square Sequoia has become a conspicuous marker to the entrance of Centennial Square, the site of the complex of buildings from which the city exercises its authority.\u00a0 Its presence as an ever-growing entity, larger and healthier each year, reflects the continued growth and prosperity of the City of Victoria.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>It is now over fifty years old and, since its planting, has come to symbolize many of the values expressed by the citizens: it is welcoming and inclusive, it is part of our urban forest, its presence as an exotic tree species reflects our diverse, livable community, and it has become a \u201cHeritage Tree.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Heritage trees are those which by virtue of botanical, visual, locational, or historical characteristics contribute notably to the physical setting and well-being of a community. To be designated \u201cHeritage\u201d trees may fit any of these criteria and are not necessarily associated with age. A more accurate definition of the word heritage is \u201cthat which is inherited.\u201d\u00a0 Residents of Greater Victoria have truly inherited a dendrological wealth of native and exotic tree species. <a href=\"#_ftn1\" name=\"_ftnref1\">[1]<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Trees hold a significant cultural value, acting as symbols of heritage, traditions, and spiritual connection in various communities. They are often revered as sacred objects, meeting places, and cultural touchstones, representing wisdom, longevity, and a link to the past. Trees also play a vital role in cultural celebrations and indigenous beliefs, reflecting deep-rooted connections between communities and the natural world.<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>The Centennial Square Sequoia is symbolic of the aspirations expressed in the 2025 Official Community Plan for the city to become a diverse, livable community with a climate-forward urban infrastructure.<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>The OCP states that the city will \u201cConsider parks and public spaces in line with public feedback\u201d and reflect the \u201cPassionate feedback about the importance of the urban forest.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>In the summer of 2018, the City invited the public to envision Centennial Square. Out of 1581 responses, only two suggested removing the Sequoia tree. As of May 31, 2025, an online petition has 6000 citizens urging its preservation.<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>The City of Victoria OCP 2025 states that it<\/strong> <strong>&#8220;considers public spaces in line with public feedback&#8221; and <\/strong><strong>\u201cmakes room to adjust as we learn.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><h4><strong>NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT. COME TO THE &#8220;SAVE THE SEQUOIA&#8221; RALLY AT NOON ON JUNE 12, 2025<\/strong><\/h4><h4><strong>URGE COUNCIL TO LISTEN, LEARN, AND ADJUST.<\/strong><\/h4><p><a href=\"#_ftnref1\" name=\"_ftn1\">[1]<\/a> Trees of Greater Victoria \u2013 A Heritage<br \/>GD Chaster, DW Ross, WH Warren 1988<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e8f06d elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"1e8f06d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-pulse-grow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.change.org\/p\/save-the-mighty-sequoia-tree-at-centennial-square-victoria-bc-from-wrongful-demolition\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">SIGN THE PETITION<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Centennial Square Sequoia Previous Next SIGN THE PETITION TO SAVE THE SEQUOIA The Centennial Square Sequoia The Centennial Square Sequoia has become a conspicuous marker to the entrance of Centennial Square, the site of the complex of buildings from which the city exercises its authority.\u00a0 Its presence as an ever-growing entity, larger and healthier [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":988,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_canvas","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-989","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/friendsofcentennialsquare.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/989","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/friendsofcentennialsquare.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/friendsofcentennialsquare.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/friendsofcentennialsquare.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/friendsofcentennialsquare.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=989"}],"version-history":[{"count":37,"href":"https:\/\/friendsofcentennialsquare.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/989\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1032,"href":"https:\/\/friendsofcentennialsquare.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/989\/revisions\/1032"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/friendsofcentennialsquare.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/988"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/friendsofcentennialsquare.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=989"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}