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Wetland Restoration Project
The Lagoon Society is in the process of restoring 10-acres of wetlands adjacent to the Iris Griffith Interpretive Centre in the Ruby Lake Lagoon Nature Reserve. Our goal is to restore a wetland complex that will provide important habitat for breeding waterfowl, and other fish and wildlife species, and offer tremendous recreational and educational value to Centre visitors and residents of the Sunshine Coast. The wetland restoration area is known as the Denise Cargill Wildlife Sanctuary in honour of one of our founders Denise Cargill.
Wetlands are critical to the survival of many species of birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. Wetlands provide essential habitat for aquatic organisms, breeding habitat for amphibians, and drinking water for terrestrial animals. The structural complexity and diversity of vegetation in wetland areas provides nesting cover for birds and foraging opportunities for a wide range of species. Wetlands are often highly productive and offer abundant forage for many species of waterfowl and mammals. Insect density is also very high in wetlands, offering abundant prey for many insectivorous bats and birds.
In North America, eighty percent of breeding bird populations and half of all threatened and endangered species rely on wetlands for some portion of their life cycle. Wetlands are particularly important for waterfowl and other birds. For different bird species at different times of the year, wetlands provide summer breeding habitat, feeding sites, moulting sites, migration stopovers, and wintering habitat.
Unfortunately, many Canadian wetlands have been destroyed by human activities. In British Columbia, just 25% of the original wetlands remain. Wetland restoration projects can be extremely valuable in creating wildlife habitat. Research indicates that restored wetlands can support similar abundance, species richness and community composition of waterfowl as natural wetlands.
Wetland restoration work parties are held every Sunday in the Ruby Lake Lagoon Nature Reserve. View photos of recent wetland restoration activities.
 Aerial view of the wetland restoration zone in front of the Iris Griffith Interpretive Centre. ) Restoration site plan (CLICK to view larger image) The Lagoon Society is very grateful to the generous contributions of the many private individuals, businesses, foundations, community groups, corporations, and government agencies that make up our many sponsors. We gratefully acknowledge the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia.
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