Restoration of streamside riparian areas involves activities such as weed pulling and planting of new shrubs or saplings.
To maintain healthy streams for fish habitat there are several important requirements: tree or shrub shading to reduce solar radiation and to keep the water cool especially during hot weather, strong root systems for bank stability, and riparian areas that add leaf, needle and branch debris. Some larger wood debris that may fall can provide aquatic species with hiding places.
When we pull weeds they are mostly classified as alien plants: that is, plants that are not native to our parks. Some examples are ivy, lamium, blackbery, holly, knotweed and hogweed. Our procedure is described in Streamkeepers Module 7 – Streamside Planting.
Interested in removing invasive plants from the North Shore? Download the North Shore Streamkeepers’ “Guidelines for volunteer weed pull leaders” to get started (clicking here will take you to a PDF hosted on DropBox — you don’t need to sign in to access the document).
Starting in 2007, a small group of local residents and North Shore Streamkeepers began work to improve the riparian areas that are beside the fish bearing Hastings Creek in this urban Lynn Valley park.
Assisted by the District of North Vancouver (DNV) Volunteer Coordinator, twice a year invasive weeds are pulled and native plants planted to provide shade and nutrition for wildlife. Other groups have joined in – Lynn Valley Community Association, Lynn Valley Seniors, DNV councillors, The Lower Mainland Green Team and many families with young children. Refreshments & tools are provided to encourage participation. There are even Hunter Park muffins! Participants are advised to wear suitable clothing, bring gardening gloves and their own water.
The job begins (2008) (photo: Hunter Park pre 2008)
A small sampling of debris removed (photo: Hunter Park debris)
Invasives are gone! (2009) (photo: Hunter Park post 2009)
Contact the BC Government:
Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP)
24 hr hotline: 1‐877‐952‐7277
Contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada if
salmon are involved:
Observe, Record, Report
1‐800‐465‐4336
DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
