The Pacific Spirit Park Society is inviting volunteers to restore the forest along the Salish Trail for a final time this year on Dec. 22.
Volunteers are welcome from 1 to 4 p.m. on the Salish Trail, located at Chancellor Boulevard and Hamber Street to remove invasive species and replace with native vegetation.
The Pacific Spirt Park Society, a not-for-profit organization, is responsible for the stewardship of Pacific Spirit Regional Park and organizes public projects for restoration, education and outreach for its improvement most weekends.
Native species include conifers, deciduous trees and shrubs that are planted to counter the effects of invasive species, such as laurel and holly, and land development from 40 to 50 years ago, said Caitlin Pierzchalski, program coordinator of the Pacific Spirit Park Society.
Land development removed the soil bank of native species with the exception of alder trees, which were able to grow back. But because the lifespan of an alder is about 60 years, the forest is slowly aging out.
The current restoration site is about 2.5 hectares and has a denser amount of invasive species than expected. Large amounts of rainwater also interfered with the planting timeline, which is why removal of invasive species and planting of native species had to occur simultaneously this year.
Planting projects usually begin in August after bird nest surveys are completed and birds in the area have fledged, meaning young bird鈥檚 wing feathers are large enough for flight. Once the young birds have left the nest, removal of invasive species begins, followed by planting, usually around October through to December.
The park society is also working to mitigate the effects of seeds spreading from aesthetic species planted in residents鈥� gardens, or by soil or garden waste dumping in the park, which introduces non-natural seed selections in the park.
Animals in the area, mostly birds at Pacific Spirit Park, will eat the invasive or non-native plants, but they do not have the same nutritional value as native species.
Everyone is welcome to help with the project, said Pierzchalski, but children under 13-years-old require supervision. Dress appropriately for the weather and work in warm clothes and appropriate footwear. Tools, snacks and guidance will be provided by the park society.
"If there's anything volunteers want to learn or participate in, we are really happy to support them in those ways. We really want to empower and inspire people to protect and care for their urban ecosystems," said Pierzchalski.
For more information about the Pacific Spirit Park Society, visit their Facebook page at
