Invasives

In July of 2020, a hardy team of Streamkeepers tackled three of the major invasive plants affecting Grandon Creek. Invasive plants are a threat because they outcompete and displace native plants and threaten the biodiversity essential to ecosystem health for salmon. They also contribute to erosion.

To further understand the devastating impact of invasives, check out this short video put together by Shaw Cable and Greenways Land Trust in Campbell River. Lamium, English Ivy, Knotweed, Yellow Flag Iris, and Giant Hogweed are all present in the riparian zones of our watersheds, and some of them of them particularly, English Ivy and Lamium are present in our parks and yards.

In Grandon Creek, these aggressive plants have migrated from the homes that occupy the banks of the ravine. While we can never eradicate them, we can control them, and replant with native species.

This lamium invasion on the east side of the ravine has been with us for many years. We have managed to stop it from reaching the creek and have plans to replant the area.

English Ivy has wound itself along many of the trees along the ravine off West Crescent. The ivy, if not removed, will eventually kill the tree and inhibit the growth of native plants in the understory. The plan is to repopulate this area with new trees and sword ferns.

At the bottom of the ravine near the parking, Himalayan Blackberries have taken over. We have removed the majority of these vines, and have planted a few trees in the area.

Goldfish

In 2009, a number of goldfish were noted living in a drainage pond near Dollymount Trail. Since the pond is linked to Beach Creek, there was the potential for this invasive species to migrate into the stream system and compete with native species.

Qualicum Beach Streamkeepers received assistance from the Town of Qualicum Beach to drain the pond and volunteers removed the goldfish. Over 700 goldfish were netted and transferred to residents willing to provide homes in ponds not connected to streams. The following year, in 2010, over 70 goldfish were removed in a second project. In 2011, a third removal project captured only seven goldfish.

In August of 2012, the Town of Qualicum Beach once more drained the pond. A crew of QB Streamkeeper Volunteers were on hand to rescue any remaining goldfish. This time, only one was captured. We hope that this will be the end of this invasion. 

Monitoring of the drainage pond continues and signs have been posted by the Town requesting that residents avoid disposing of non-native species in waterways.

Lamium

A number of locations on Grandon Creek adjacent to residential development have extensive areas with widespread lamium growth. A popular ornamental plant, lamium thrives in damp and shady areas and competes successfully with native species. Each year, Streamkeeper volunteers remove lamium which is spreading into riparian areas, replacing it with native species such as ferns to provide bank stabilization. In addition, educational efforts are undertaken with homeowners adjacent to the Creek to familiarize them with the problems created by invasive species and to seek their support in limiting their spread. The photo below (left) shows an area overgrown with lamium and replanted with ferns in the photo to the right.

Giant Hogweed

For many years, giant hogweed has been a significant invasive species in a number of riparian areas of Vancouver Island, including French Creek. Giant hogweed grows up to five metres in height and contains poisonous sap in its stem and leaves. It readily spreads by seeds travelling down streams and rooting in the damp soils adjacent to water. One site with several dozen mature plants was identified in 2009 by a homeowner adjacent to Beach Creek. With Streamkeeper help, the plants were removed and the material disposed of safely. More plants were removed in 2010, and monitoring of the site continues.

Sedum

We are collaborating with the RDN Recreation and Parks to remove invasive plants in the Little Qualicum River Estuary. The primary invasive is "sedum", a small ground covering yellow succulent, more properly at home in gardens ! We have also removed laurel, blackberry and broom. This ongoing work will help set the stage for re-vegetation and complements other restoration work underway.