Projects
Qualicum Beach Streamkeepers are active year round with projects. They range from the restoration of riparian zones to the removal of invasive plants from our watersheds and the organization of educational events.
Plantings
Planting new and primarily native plants and trees is central to many of the activities we undertake. The benefits are numerous and readily apparent. Following are some of the benefits:
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As vegetation grows it moderates water temperature.
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Plants provide a source of food, nutrients and organic matter to streams.
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Plants establish root matrices that stabilize soil and stream banks, thereby minimizing erosion.
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A variety of native plants helps buffer streams from sedimentation and pollution in surface runoff.
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Plants create a permeable ground surface that permits infiltration, moderating water volumes, to help maintain sustained water flow, particularly during periods of heavy rain and drought.
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It's good for the fish!
Canada 150 Tree Planting Project
 As part of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Canada’s founding, Qualicum Beach Streamkeepers undertook a special project in the spring of 2017 to plant 150 native trees and bushes in three stream and riverside locations in our community. Funding for the project was made possible by a donation from the Bill Dwyer Memorial Fund.
Approximately 75 plantings were undertaken in the estuary of the Little Qualicum River, where we have been working for several years to assist in rehabilitation efforts. More details are available under this heading on the website.
Another 50 plantings were made along Grandon Creek, in the section between Hoylake road and West Crescent Road, which has been under increasing stress due to high water flows during recent winters. The trees will help stabilize banks and reduce erosion in the decades ahead. The remaining plantings were made in Beach Creek in the Heritage Forest.
Along with a crew of Streamkeepers who spent parts of four days planting, Gord Almond (shown above) planted a Sitka Spruce at Grandon Creek on May 5.
For details on other major projects currently undertaken by Qualicum Beach Streamkeepers, please follow the links below:
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