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VANCOUVER: River Works Wraps Up Another Year of Invasive Species Removal |
| December 20, 2006 |
By Amber Smith, River Works Coordinator
 | A River Works volunteer gently massages the roots of a native shrub before planting, to stimulate growth and establishment within the soil.
Photo: Amber Smith/
Vancouver Aquarium |
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River Works volunteers have been tackling the invasive species problem at Vancouver’s Fraser River Park for many years, and December 12 marked the culmination of another summer of hard work.
Armed with work gloves, loppers and high spirits, River Works volunteers have spent a combined total of 85.5 hours removing Scotch Broom and Himalayan Blackberry from Fraser River Park since May 2006.
Invasive species can adversely affect the ecosystem in which they are introduced by out-competing native species for space, light, habitat or food. This often results in a decline in native populations, and may even lead to the complete loss of native species in the area.
A very delicate balance maintains ecosystems, and the loss of even one native species has the potential to affect many others that may rely on it for food or shelter.
After all their hard work removing invasive species, volunteers headed back out to Fraser River Park this December to plant 58 native shrubs. By planting and mulching native vegetation, the volunteers provide the plants with a chance to grow and become established through the spring—thus helping to prevent the re-growth of the invasive species they have worked so hard to remove.
| Source: Vancouver Aquarium |
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