In this new video about the Blackburn Lake restoration project, Carrina Maslovat of the Salt Spring Island Conservancy (SSIC) speaks about the incredible contribution that volunteers have made to recreating wetlands on the former golf course property.

“This project, which has been organized by SSIC, would not have happened except for the huge number of volunteers that have helped us, especially with the planting,” says Maslovat. Over the past month, volunteers put approximately 1800 plants in the ground, representing 52 different native species ranging from cattails and sedges to upland shrubs and trees.

“We’re planting a huge range of native shrubs here: some of them will be fantastic for nesting habitat and others have berries on them to provide food for crossbills and towhees,” explains Maslovat. Planted species also included hummingbird favourites such as red-flowering currant and hedge nettles. “This should be a wetland full of bird life,” Maslovat concludes. Native frogs and bats will also benefit from the recreated wetland habitat.

HCTF has supported this project through both our Enhancement & Restoration and PCAF granting programs, the latter of which emphasizes volunteer contributions to conservation activities.

Click here to watch another video about the process of unearthing wetlands at Blackburn Lake.