Karen Franzen and Murray Little planting native plants

Residents of the Little River area may have noticed the Comox Valley Naturalists toiling on the old McPhee property recently. This site, located on Wilkinson Road, was once an old gravel pit and is being transformed into what will become the Little River Nature Park administered by the Comox Valley Regional District.

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As a result of the beachfront development, a large portion of the property has been dedicated to parkland. However because of the old gravel extraction operation, much of the area is devoid of vegetation or else infested with invasive plants such as Scotch broom.

This year a remediation plan was developed for the site by Sellentin’s Habitat Restoration and Invasive Species Consulting. In the spring several crews began removing much of the Scotch broom and other invasive plants from the site. Now with wet fall weather upon us, the Comox Valley Naturalists have started planting native plants on the site, to help with its restoration to a more natural condition. Over 600 native plants have been placed in the ground so far. These include our native conifers like Douglas fir and Sitka spruce. Also planted are many of the smaller shrubs, forbs, and ferns one normally finds associated and growing close to these trees.

Beaver lodge in old gravel pit pond

Another local conservation group, the Little River Enhancement Society, also works on this site. Their interest is, of course, fish. For the last several years they have been stocking the ponds with native fish. To help provide shading, and thus lower the water temperature, many trees have been planted beside the pond.

Wildlife of many kinds use this property. Many of the trees have had to be fenced to protect them from browsing deer. As well, it was necessary to wrap with wire many of the existing cottonwood trees, as the local beavers are

active in the area. During the planting, adult bald eagles could be seen repairing their nests with large branches. There are two eagle nests on, or adjacent to, this site. A nature park designation is indeed a good use for this property.

The Comox Valley Regional District has plans for further work on this property, in the form of trails and fencing. In the meantime, local groups will continue to give nature a helping hand as the restoration process takes hold.

Ernie and his hole digger

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