Working with the K’ómoks Nation towards Q’waq’wala7owkw on their unceded territory.
Did you know that eelgrass beds are one of the most productive ecosystems on the planet, rivalling tropical rainforests in the biodiversity they support? These underwater meadows provide vital habitat for juvenile fish, filter coastal waters, and store vast amounts of carbon. Yet eelgrass is declining in the Salish Sea. We’re working hard to understand why, and to help bring it back.
We’re looking for volunteers to help prepare eelgrass shoots for transplant as part of our upcoming restoration work near Ships Point.
This is a volunteer activity you can complete in the comfort of your own home!
Project Watershed is teaming up with the CVRD and the Stewardship Centre for BC to do some shoreline restoration at Gartley Beach in Royston.
Volunteers are needed to help prepare eelgrass shoots for transplant during our upcoming eelgrass restoration work at Gartley Point!
Between June 2 and 11, six dedicated staff members, approximately 23 volunteers and the UB Diving crew worked together to accomplish the impressive task of transplanting 6,000 stems of eelgrass!
Understanding carbon dioxide (CO2) sources and sinks is crucial for combating climate change. Vegetated ecosystems, including coastal habitats like mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass meadows, play a significant role in capturing and storing carbon, known as “blue carbon.”
In July, our technician team ventured into Hollyhock Flats to conduct a plant survey. The goal was to understand the current plant community structures throughout the saltmarsh. This data can be used for restoration efforts at Kus-kus-sum. We also learned about invasive plant presence and range within Hollyhock for future removal efforts.
This restoration built up a new marsh platform to replace lost, historic tidal marsh. The newly build platform is then planted, all to help support wildlife and coastal resiliency in our thriving estuary.
On June 17-19, 2020 Project Watershed organized a planting session to restore the vulnerable coastline in the Fanny Bay area. During the three days, our staff and 19 volunteers helped plant almost 2500 individual plants, comprised of Salicornia, Distichilis and dune grass species. This planting compliments another coastal restoration project where the shoreline was revegetated to protect the area from erosion.
A kelp forest is a type of nearshore aquatic habitat, found along rocky coasts with wave action or strong currents in depths of 4 to 20 meters.
Back in February, Project Watershed and volunteers from Aecon Water Infrastructure Inc. planted over 100 native species along a section of Mallard Creek.