Echo Ecological has planned and implemented ecological restoration activities for degraded urban ecosystems throughout the Tri-City area and the Lower Mainlands. Our team has utilized detailed knowledge of restoration ecology while working with many stakeholders on a variety of restoration projects, including:
Trout Lake, Vancouver
Trout Lake, is a highly utilized urban ecosystem that hosts many waterfowl, songbirds, bats and amphibians. Currently, the lake is lacking nesting and foraging opportunities for waterbirds and other wildlife, and has poor water quality in the summer months.
In 2018-2019, we restored a 2000 m2 section of the riparian area surrounding Trout Lake to increase habitat value for wildlife and ensure future upkeep by educating community members and developing a strong volunteer group in the park. We hope to continue this work, and would not have been successful without the amazing support of our partners Wildcoast Ecological, Vancouver Park's Board, and Eco Action/Environment Canada).
In 2018-2019, we restored a 2000 m2 section of the riparian area surrounding Trout Lake to increase habitat value for wildlife and ensure future upkeep by educating community members and developing a strong volunteer group in the park. We hope to continue this work, and would not have been successful without the amazing support of our partners Wildcoast Ecological, Vancouver Park's Board, and Eco Action/Environment Canada).
Before restoration
After restoration
MacKay Marsh, North Vancouver
MacKay Marsh is a large freshwater marsh located in a highly developed area within the District of North Vancouver. Several businesses and industries are situated around the wetland and allow significant amounts of pollution to enter the wetland as runoff during rain events. MacKay Marsh is also subject to illegal dumping and the encroachment of invasive species. The aquatic and riparian areas of the wetland have been heavily inundated with introduced and invasive vegetation including Himalayan blackberry, English ivy, reed canary grass, and yellow flag iris. The invasion of noxious plants has negatively impacted water quality and reduced habitat availability for fish and wildlife within the marsh.
In 2018-2019, we have put significant efforts towards restoring this area back to a healthy state. The invasives along the riparian area were removed manually and replanted with native vegetation and the aquatic invasives were removed with an excavator. Several logs were inserted into the substrate to provide additional habitat for birds and other species. Our goal is to increase the period in which this wetland holds water throughout the year, so that it can provide greater habitat options for numerous species in on the North Shore.
In 2018-2019, we have put significant efforts towards restoring this area back to a healthy state. The invasives along the riparian area were removed manually and replanted with native vegetation and the aquatic invasives were removed with an excavator. Several logs were inserted into the substrate to provide additional habitat for birds and other species. Our goal is to increase the period in which this wetland holds water throughout the year, so that it can provide greater habitat options for numerous species in on the North Shore.
Before restoration
After restoration
MacKay Estuary, North Vancouver
MacKay Creek Estuary in North Vancouver has been a site of historical industrial use and has been negatively impacted by extensive residential and commercial development. The goal of this project was to restore the riparian area surrounding MacKay Creek Estuary so that the habitat will support salmonid species and other estuarine and riparian wildlife. Restoration for the MacKay Estuary began in 2013 as part of the Burrard Inlet Estuary Restoration project with the BCIT River's Institute and will be continuing in upcoming years, as maintenance is needed to preserve the conservation efforts for this site.
Setting up Goose exclosures to protect intertidal plants
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Planting the intertidal area on MacKay Creek
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Seymour Creek, North Vancouver
The restoration of Seymour Creek Estuary in North Vancouver is also part of the Burrard Inlet Estuary Restoration project that began in 2013. Echo Ecological worked alongside the BCIT River's Institute in the completion of this project. Several in-stream log structures were created in this creek to provide habitat for spawning salmonid species. Intertidal grasses were planted to increase nutrient cycling within the ecosystem and native plants were placed along the Seymour spit to create habitat in the riparian area, which will benefit both in-stream species as well as community members who utilize the site for recreation.
Riparian planting of native plants
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Moving logs for in-stream salmon habitat
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Lynn Creek Estuary
This project was also part of the Burrard Inlet Estuary Restoration Project. It was executed in 2016 by the BCIT River's Institute and continued restoration will be completed on-site in upcoming years. Echo Ecological completed both the riparian restoration as well as the intertidal grass planting for this project.
Log placement for in-stream salmon habitat
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Intertidal grass planting
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Upstream MacKay Creek
To supplement the restoration efforts completed on MacKay Creek Estuary, Echo Ecological has been working to restore the upstream areas of the Creek in recent years. In order to maintain the investment of money, time and resources that was put into completing the Estuary Restoration in this area, it is important to ensure that the health of the ecosystem is maintained. Continued maintenance is needed, as well as significant upstream restoration efforts to return MacKay to a healthy state.
Great Blue Heron
(Photo Credit: Fiona Wright)
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Riparian planting with volunteers
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