A Holistic Approach to. Wetland Ecosystem Restoration. and Stewardship

Transcription

1 A Holistic Approach to Wetland Ecosystem Restoration and Stewardship

2 East Refuge: Weir: 43.0 m asl Weir: 43.1 m asl T6 (42.79) Weir: 43.0 m asl 42.8 T3 (42.81) Weir: 43.2 m asl Complexity varies CONSTRUCTION REPORT SHALLOW MARSH RECONSTRUCTION in ALDERGROVE REGIONAL PARK $$$$ dramatically CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE FOR A RESTORED MARSH HABITAT IN ALDERGROVE REGIONAL PARK. MONITORING AND ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT PLANNING FOR A CONSTRUCTED MARSH HABITAT IN ALDERGROVE REGIONAL PARK MARCH BALANCE ECOLOGICAL LTD Napier St., Vancouver BC, V5L 2N5 (c) (e) monica@balance.ecological.com Submitted to: Attn: Kristina Robbins Ecosystems Biologist Ministry of Forests, Lands & Natural Resource Operations South Coast Natural Resource Region rd Street, Surrey, BC V3R 1E1 Date: Oct 21, 2014 Re: GS13LMN- 035 Phase V Aldergrove Regional Park Marsh Implement Adaptive Management Plan Balance Ecological was retained to implement the first phase of the proposed adaptive management plan for Aldergrove Lake Marsh in Aldergrove Regional Park, BC. This included: Vancouver Aquarium Metro Vancouver Regional Parks BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations BC Conservation Foundation February 26, a) Vegetation management activities, b) Hydrologic alterations, and c) Purchase and installation of water level monitors, vegetation plots, etc. Submitted by: Monitoring activities implemented included: Vancouver Aquarium - Installation of water level loggers in water monitoring wells throughout the wetland (March 10, 2014), - Installation of vegetation plots and initial data collection (March 22, 2014), - Engagement of community volunteers for bird monitoring activities, and - Regular collection of water level data at water level gauges at the outlet of the wetland. Vegetation management activities were completed on August 27, The south- east and south- west quadrants were mowed, hayed, and vegetation removed to control invasive Reed Canary Grass. Hydrologic alterations were implemented on September 8, 2014, and included: January 25, 2013 Submitted by: Monica Pearson, RP Bio BALANCE ECOLOGICAL Vancouver BC Submitted by: Monica Pearson, RP Bio BALANCE ECOLOGICAL to - Reconstruction of south- west outlet weir to widen and stabilize the overflow, and to re- install drainage pipe at lower level; - Reconstruction of south- east outlet weir to install drainage pipe; - Connection of north- east channel to groundwater source pond, and installation of second groundwater source pond to continue watering of north- west meadow. Metro Vancouver BC Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations March 15, 2014 Data is being maintained in a central database, managed by Balance Ecological. Sincerely, Monica M. Pearson, RP Bio Principal, BALANCE ECOLOGICAL Page 1 of 2 Pepin Marsh 1. Location: Aldergrove Lake Regional Park. Langley Township, B.C. Project Summary February 18, 2013 Shallow Marsh Restoration at Aldergrove Regional Park Construction stages July - September 2013 Impacted area: 5.4 Ha Pre-existing conditions Mowing and Haying July Shallow Marsh Restoration at Aldergrove Regional Park Monitoring Handbook Supplementary Document to: MONITORING AND ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT PLANNING FOR A RESTORED MARSH HABITAT IN ALDERGROVE REGIONAL PARK Herbicide Application Aug 18 / 30 Grass Removal Aug Berm Construction Aug 21 - Sep 6 by Balance ecological 2014 Aug Construction Timeline: June April 2014 Construction Timeline Construction Stage Timing Detail Control of Invasive Species Initial Control June 2013 Field preparation: mowing as soon as field is accessible to tractor Initial Control July 2013 Apply glyphosate using tractor boom in late summer to resprouting grass (approx. 12 height). (requires dry watercourses) Seed bank exhaustion Aug 2013 Tilling / harrowing at least 3 times in summer Potential for secondary glyphosate application in early August prior to construction Habitat Complexing and Feature Construction Habitat complexing Aug Sep 2013 Sculpt landscape: channels, pools, benches. Channel & Pond Installation Sep 2-21 Aug 30 Aug 18 Strip grass (excavator) Wood / Weir / Plug Installation Sep 2-21 Disc (x6) Final Configuration Sep 21, Hydrologic Monitoring 2. Vegetation Monitoring 3. Amphibian Monitoring 4. Fish Monitoring 5. Bird Monitoring 6. Odonate Monitoring 7. habitat Feature Monitoring 8. Monitoring Calendar 9. Management Summary Diagram Feature construction Sep 2013 Install ponds, weirs, large wood; construct trails. Hydrologic restoration Habitat complexing Sep 2013 Infill ditches, plug drain tile, water flow and water control devices. Feature construction Sep 2013 Connect habitat complex to groundwater; monitor and adjust as necessary. Re-vegetation Initial Seeding Oct 2013 Seed with native wetland seeds. Shrub planting Oct - Nov 2013 Plant riparian / higher elevation berms / islands / trails. Herb planting March - April 2014 Plant plugs in depressions. Spread additional seed. Page 1 Outlet to ponds North Ponds Treehouse Ponds Spoil from pond used to raise field elevation > 155 South Pond $ Kingfisher Farm As-built Topology Elevations (cm, bold) in relation to invert of culvert leading to ponds and Little Campbell River. Prep: MMP, Balance Ecological Date: Oct 18, 2015 Site: St., Surrey BC Image: 2009 Data: AS/KM Field Assessment Check: MMP - TBC

3 Goals do not: The GOALS of this project are to: a) Provide recovery habitat for endangered species X; b) Enhance wildlife biodiversity, focusing on Species-at-Risk; c) Provide education, stewardship and research opportunities; d) Increase our knowledge of marsh restoration techniques. The OBJECTIVES of this project are to: 1. Continue implementation of Monitoring and Adaptive Management program of constructed marsh (Phase I) - Monitor hydrology, vegetation and wildlife biodiversity (fish, amphibian, avian, odonate) to inform adaptive management plan. Continue invasive species removal, trail maintenance. 2. Continue implementation of Upland Forest Reclamation - plant, protect and irrigate seedlings in historic raspberry field. 3. Implement restoration plan for Phase II (Swamp restoration) - Remove invasive species, excavate channels and ponds to increase available aquatic habitat. 4. Implement restoration plan for Phase III (Marsh restoration) - Remove invasive species, manipulate hydrology and grade to increase available aquatic habitat. 5. Develop and implement monitoring plans for Phase II and III. 6. Engage the public, volunteers, schools and university / college students in ecological restoration and wildlife management.

4 Know What you Have 1. Physical 2. Biological 3. Social

5 Hydrology Topography Soils Pepin Marsh Water Elevation at Test Pits South East Field North Pond Groundwater Source South Meadow Water level

6 Biological Context

7 Social Context PEPIN MARSH 272nd St 8th Ave Aldergrove Lake Regional Park 272nd St Pepin Creek Gordon s Brook PEPIN MARSH Aldergrove Bowl 0 Ave 0 Ave PEPIN MARSH

8 What Can You Do? Opportunities & Constraints Resources $$$$!!!! $$!! $?

9 Concept, Budget, Propose

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11 Do it!

12 DETAILS!! Hydrology

13 DETAILS!! Habitat Features

14 Work with Volunteers

15 Monitoring & Adaptive Mgmt

16 6 amphibian species (2 listed). 94 bird species (5 listed). 6 fish species (2 listed). 20 odonate species (3 listed) 88 plant species, (34 invasive or noxious)

17 What s Holistic about that?