With the arrival of new settlers to Vancouver Island came new plant and animal species, many of which have become invasive and have out competed those native to the area. Our approach is to manage and reduce the invasive plants and replant with traditional species.
The lower reach of Grandon Creek, between Hoylake Road and the ocean, is a steep and rapidly flowing watercourse, with steep banks and loose, sandy soil. Invasive plants include English ivy, lamium, and daphne and Himalayan blackberries, many which have migrated into the stream banks from neighbouring properties.
Each year, teams of volunteers carry out removal projects to keep the invasives from taking over the entire area.
The lower areas of Beach Creek are somewhat less affected by invasive species, due in part to the protective role played by the Heritage Forest.
Lower stretches have substantial growth of blackberries and giant hogweed, primarily located on private land.
The Little Qualicum River Estuary Regional Conservation Area (LQRECA) is just outside town boundaries, but is an important wild fish and bird ecological area. Owned and managed by the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN), the estuary has been subject to industrial use and the clearing of trees which has led to the introduction of blackberries and Scotch broom.
Over the past twenty five years, Streamkeepers have worked with the British Columbia Conservation Foundation (BCCF) and the RDN to improve the habitat through annual cutting and removal of these invasive species.
Below are four of the worst offenders: Giant Hogweed (top left), Ivy (top right), Lamium (bottom left) and Spurge Laurel.
