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The mission of the Pacific Parklands Foundation is to enrich communities, protect valuable greenspace and encourage philanthropy in the Metro Vancouver Regional Parks system. While ongoing maintenance and operations are publicly funded, the Foundation partners with volunteer and community groups, sponsors and business leaders who share our dedication to the enhancement, preservation and restoration of these diverse parks by creating unique projects that provide further appreciation of nature to park users.
The Foundation has helped to fund many successful programs, projects and activities through creative partnerships and relationships that have benefited both the regional parks as well as local communities in Metro Vancouver such as the Natural Capital Review of the BC Lower Mainland; the Catching the Spirit Youth Environmental Stewardship Program; the Brae Island Heritage Apple Orchard Project; and the Camosun Bog Restoration Project.
The Centennial Beach Pond is located within Boundary Bay Regional Park which protects "old field" habitat, wetland, grassland, intertidal and foreshore mudflat habitat. The pond is a key stop on the Pacific Flyway and is used for forage and nesting by a wide variety of bird species. The Pond rehabilitation is one phase of the larger redevelopment for the Centennial Beach area of the park that includes a new washroom, change room and concession building. In January 2011, Metro Vancouver Regional Parks completed a study that identified the main areas of concern and strategies to rehabilitate the pond. The pond has great potential for bird and bat habitat and as a key feature to the Centennial Beach area of the park with educational opportunities for the 1 million people who visit the park each year.
Currently the pond has poor water quality and limited biodiversity affecting the habitat of flora and fauna and viability of the existing pond ecology. The current state of the pond also poses potential human health issues and aesthetic concerns for park users.
The main objective of the project is to restore pond ecology and increase biodiversity in and around the pond to improve the water and overall habitat quality. The strategies to meet this goal include removing invasive plant species and pond sediments from the pond area, installing a solar aerator and increasing the diversity of native aquatic and non-aquatic plant species in and around the pond. Improving the pond ecology will intern reduce potential human health concerns and attract more visitors to the pond. The second project goal is to engage local community groups to assist with the restoration, implementation and development of educational opportunities of the restored pond. The objective is to raise funds to include a series of interpretive signs, viewing area, picnic shelter and interpretive programs to bring people to this accessible feature and educate visitors.
A number of local community groups will be involved including DRS Earthwise Society in organizing planting parties, development of interpretive signage and planting concept plans. Community groups such as the Delta Naturalists, Lions Club and Rotary Club and park partners like the Cammidge House Committee are also interested in participating in the project in various capacities. Metro Vancouver Regional Park Department is redeveloping the Centennial Beach area of Boundary Bay Regional Park and will oversee the rehabilitation of the pond.
PPF has a goal of raising at least $150,000 for the Pond Restoration Project. Several smaller grants have been received to date but we need your help in securing the $100,000 grant through the Shell FuellingChange program. While there are 8 organizations vying for the funds, only two awards of $100,000 will be made. Go to www.fuellingchange.com today and sign up and vote for PPF and our Pond Restoration Project!
