Restoration
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
Eagle Islet restoration
Photos tell the story of Garry oak islet restoration in Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.
SḰŦÁMEN QENÁȽ,ENEȻ SĆȺ - Sidney Island Ecological Restoration Project
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is working collaboratively with local First Nations, island residents, and the Province of BC to restore a...
Sea garden restoration
Learn about sea garden restoration at Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.
Salmon stream restoration
Learn more about salmon stream restoration at Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada
Coastal sand ecosystem restoration
Learn about Gulf Islands National Park Reserve’s restoration of the coastal sand ecosystem.
Volunteer opportunities
Volunteer for ecology projects at Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.
Overview | Garry Oak Islet | Sea garden | Salmon stream | Coastal sands | Forest | Volunteer
Everyone’s done a jigsaw puzzle. If you work at it long enough, all the pieces fit.
Restoring unhealthy natural areas in the park reserve is more complicated than putting a puzzle back together. Nature changes constantly, so the picture doesn’t stay the same. Humans have also altered things. Imagine puzzle pieces missing (cougars) and extra pieces (European fallow deer).
The complexity of restoration work requires science and aboriginal traditional knowledge. It also takes the hard work of many volunteers, stakeholders, and partners. Restoring and protecting these special places is one of Parks Canada’s top priorities.
Garry Oak Islet
Less than 5% of the Garry oak ecosystem in Canada remains in a near-natural state. In the few areas left, introduced plants and animals crowd out native species. A few precious pockets of Garry oak maritime meadows remain on tiny islets in the park reserve.
» Eagle Islet restoration
Sea garden
What can traditional practices of the past tell us about managing resources and restoring ecosystems today? Over the next few years, Parks Canada, in collaboration with local First Nations and stakeholders, including Royal Roads University, will restore two ancient sea gardens.
» Sea garden restoration
Salmon stream
When the park reserve was first established, a culvert blocked chum salmon from spawning in Lyall Creek. Park staff, along with community volunteers, restored this salmon stream, one of the only protected watersheds in the Southern Gulf Islands.
» The Lyall Creek story
Coastal sand
Coastal sand ecosystems are rare in British Columbia and support many species at risk. A volunteer-powered restoration project on Sidney Island in the park reserve resulted in a big recovery for a tiny plant. .
» Coastal sand restoration
Forest
The Coastal Douglas-fir forest is a globally-unique, at-risk ecosystem. Together with First Nations and local partners, Parks Canada is working to protect this special forest.
» Forest restoration
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