Kus-kus-sum Planting Thank You
Some volunteers came out more than once to ensure we had enough hands to complete the work and everyone came to the site with a smile and can-do attitude. To us, this illustrates the importance of this project to our community and the support we have received from the very beginning back in 2017. We feel grateful and lucky to work with our community to help steward our local environment.
In addition to the adult volunteers, classes of students from Cumberland Elementary, Arden Elementary and the Partners in Education Online Learning helped to plant, water and mulch at the site throughout the year. All the classes that participated in these stewardship activities were prepped with a presentation on the K’ómoks Estuary and Kus-kus-sum project, and provided with supplementary materials for furthering and deepening their learning.
Many of the students that came out this year have been involved in the project in previous years by painting the wooden salmon for the Sponsor A Salmon fundraiser. One teacher commented “These students are gaining a unique experience by being involved firsthand as this project progresses.”
Of the plants that were planted this October 40% were upland tree and shrub species which included Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), Scouler’s willow (Salix scouleriana), Hooker’s willow (Salix hookeriana), snowberry (Symphoricarpos), Nootka rose (Rosa nutkana), and alder (Alnus rubra). The willows were planted along some of banks as they grow quickly and help stabilize the soil. In the area that will become inundated with water and subject to tides, we planted salt tolerant marsh species at three different elevations. The species planted at the lowest elevation included Carex lyngbyei (Lyngbye’s sedge), Juncus balticus (Baltic rush), and Glaux maritima (seaside milkwort), those planted at mid elevations included Potentilla pacifica (silverweed) and Triglochin maritima (seaside arrowgrass) and those at the highest elevation included Deschampsia cespitosa (tufted hairgrass), Symphotrichum subspicatum (Douglas aster), Sidalcea hendersonii (Henderson’s checkermallow), and Myrica gale (Sweet gale).
The Comox Valley community also remains a consistent and appreciated source of funding for this project as donations have totaled over $34,000 this year. Other funders that supported this year’s work include: Fish and Wildlife Compensation Fund, Habitat Conservation Trust Fund, Pacific Salmon Foundation, World Wildlife Fund, The Province of British Columbia, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Micah Messent Legacy Fund. A complete list of funders who have supported this initiative from the beginning can be found on our Friends of Kus-kus-sum page.
Related Posts
Eelgrass Transplant Tying at Ships Point
We’re looking for volunteers to help prepare eelgrass shoots for transplant as part of our upcoming restoration work near Ships Point.
Spring and Summer Forage Fish Sampling
Spring and summer forage fish sampling is starting back up again in May!
Forage Fish Symposium and CFFN AGM
The Coastal Forage Fish Network is hosting their Annual Spring symposium via zoom on April 23, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 pm. It will be followed by an AGM. This gathering brings together researchers, experts and community science volunteers to share forage fish research highlights and from across Vancouver Island and beyond.
Kus-kus-sum Feature – Spring 2025
As spring kicks off, the first buds are beginning to appear on the newly installed plants down at Kus-kus-sum! Thanks to the efforts of our volunteers this past fall and winter we’ve been able to expand the now thriving tidal marsh and riparian ecosystems to 80% complete.
Spring Invasives Removal at Kus-kus-sum
We are looking for volunteers to assist us with our first weeding event of the spring at Kus-kus-sum to keep the invasives at bay and help our native plants flourish!
How To Report Herring Spawn Sightings on iNaturalist
Want to contribute to community science while walking the beach? Simply snap a photo of Pacific herring eggs or milt (milky-white water) when you come across them and upload your observations to iNaturalist! Keep reading for instructions.