It doesn't only take a village, in our case it takes a City: The City of Campbell River is Greenways' longest term funder of our habitat management and habitat restoration efforts within the Campbell River Estuary. The funds allow us to monitor invasive populations and take action to ensure the biodiversity and proper functioning of this sensitive ecosystem.

Thanks to the City for continuing to fund our work, and for the many hours of collaboration, advice and expertise you share with our staff!

The Campbell River Estuary has seen a lot of improvements this year: Projects have ranged from repairs to trails and footbridges, to the tens of thousands of kilograms of invasive plants removed from both marsh and forest habitats, and the planting of over 1200 native trees and shrubs. Invasive plants like purple loosestrife and yellow flag iris choke out the delicate marsh ecology and threaten populations of rare plants such as Henderson's checkermallow and Vancouver Island beggarticks. Invasive plants such as Scotch broom and Himilayan blackberry reduce biodiversity in our upland riparian and forest habitats. 

Restoration in the heart of the City

One example of a is the recent restoration of an area of natural area parkland in Dick Murphy Park that overlooks the viewing platform and a beautiful vista of the Campbell River Estuary beyond. We were able to remove invasive plants such as Scotch broom and Himalayan blackberry that had grown into a former native planting. Once these invasive plants were removed, we were able to plant the area with a diversity of native trees and shrubs that will provide important food sources and habitat for local wildlife.

Family and friends of Ron Burrell gathered last week Saturday, November 20, in the Beaver Lodge Lands, honouring:

Burrells’ Bog sign dedication,
Beaver Lodge Forest Lands founders who are no longer with us: Don McIver (it was the 2nd anniversary of Don's passing), Norma Soderholm, and Ron Burrell - followed by a guided forest walk with Sandra Milligan.

'Burrell's Bog' sign reads as follows:

"On March 8, 2021, in recognition of Ron Burrell's many contributions to this community, the City of Campbell River's Mayor and Council named a Jubilee Heights-Beaver Lodge Lands wetland 'Burrell’s Bog.'
In 1992, land west of Campbell River was being developed for residential use until research by citizens revealed that those lands, in 1931, had been gifted to the province for experimental work in reforestation and forest management. Public controversy erupted between those who were for and those who were against development. In 1993, the Province of B.C. settled the issue, enacting Bill 52, the Beaver Lodge Lands Trust Renewal Act, which put the lands into Trust.

Ron Burrell, then a local, provincial Forest Service Manager, was tasked with facilitating unresolved Beaver Lodge Land (BLL) issues, including the extension of Dogwood Street, the location of the new North Island College campus and Timberline High School, and the acquisition of additional lands for inclusion into the BLL. When the City extended Dogwood Street to Jubilee Parkway, Ron protected the bog by installing an impenetrable stump hedgerow barrier, effectively limiting access from the roadway to this sensitive site. In addition, Ron chaired a public planning process that developed BLL’s guiding document, the 1994 Resource Use Plan. He then established and chaired a citizen advisory group, the Beaver Lodge Trust Committee. As a volunteer champion for the BLL, he raised funds for projects (Rotary Bridge), took responsibility for trail maintenance (via Greenways Land Trust), and led forest educational tours.

The 6-hectare wetland is in the Simms Creek watershed. The south end (the City's Lot 10) is a bog, with stunted lodgepole pine and a salal understory. The north portion (the Beaver Lodge Forest Lands) is a swamp dominated by hardhack and Sitka sedge. Wetlands are some of the most valuable ecosystems on Earth; they act like giant sponges or reservoirs that retain excess water and store carbon. Even with limited access, the bog needs our protection and is best left alone.
To support the Beaver Lodge Lands, please volunteer or donate - contact the organizations shown below."

Photo credit: Kathryn Dice
Greenways' gratitude goes out to Bob Dice, Jerry Fletcher and Charlie Cornfield for working on the recognition for Ron’s legacy!

Visit our website and check out the NEWS section. You will find Greenways' recent media coverage listed.