Summer Tech Field Notes – Vegetation Monitoring
This is the first installment in our Summer Tech Field Notes series! Follow along with Ayla King, our Environmental Technician, as she assists the field team with restoration & monitoring.
Casey conducting plant identification using her field guide and INaturalist in one of our quadrants (veg plots) – with a great view of the glacier in the back!
Marika and Casey walking towards one of our quadrants along our transect
Casey looking for a plant ID with a view of the Comox glacier!
Song Sparrow Nest found while monitoring at Dyke Road Park
July 10, 2026
By Ayla King
This is my first full week with Project Watershed, and what an exciting week it has been! I feel incredibly lucky to have joined the team during vegetation monitoring season. Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve had the chance to dust off my plant identification skills while learning from my new colleagues, who are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the diverse plant communities found throughout the Comox Valley. It’s been inspiring to see how much there is to learn, from native species like Vancouver Island beggar-ticks to the rare blue-listed checker mallow.
This is the third year of vegetation monitoring at several of Project Watershed’s restoration sites, including Kus-kus-sum. Monitoring vegetation over time helps us understand how restoration efforts are progressing by tracking plant health, biodiversity, and the spread of invasive species. These observations help guide future management decisions and ensure these restored habitats continue to support healthy ecosystems for years to come. Every plant tells part of the story, and I’m excited to keep learning how to read it.