Devoted volunteers, of course!
It began with dedicated organizer Denise Foster embarking on a mission to save 9.3 hectares of precious forest north of Parksville. Rich in biodiversity and a habitat for a multitude of wildlife, the French Creek Estuary Nature Preserve was protected in 2023, thanks to donations from hundreds of generous community members like the BC Parks Foundation, the Regional District of Nanaimo, Foster’s passionate efforts, as well as other stewardship groups.
“These invasive plants have crept in over the years, taking over, and are now choking and killing native plants that are needed for a healthy forest”
Now, what’s with weeding the forest?
A group of volunteers meets every Tuesday morning to remove invasive plants and restore the Nature Preserve to its natural state.
The major invasive plants we remove are Himalayan blackberry, spurge laurel, English holly, and ivy. These invasive plants have crept in over the years, taking over, and are now choking and killing native plants that are needed for a healthy forest.
Our mighty group of determined volunteers cut, uprooted, and hauled away truckloads of invasive plants, resulting in two areas of the French Creek Estuary Nature Preserve being fully cleared of “weeds” and restored with healthy, native plants.
In the dry seasons, we water the plants until they’re established. Occasionally, poor weather puts us off, and as many of us are “of an age,” we try not to overwork ourselves—but we sure are a determined lot.
So, onward we march!
While much of the forest is now protected land, our mission isn’t over. A nearby parcel beside the Nature Preserve is home to a colony of great blue herons, which raised 51 chicks from 2023 to 2025 and have returned to nest again in 2026.
The Save Estuary Land Society has launched the Viking Way Land Acquisition Campaign to raise funds toward the purchase of this privately owned one hectare property that is home to these herons. The landowner is willing to sell, and with support from the community, we can ensure this land is added to the Nature Preserve and protected forever.
In addition to the great blue heron colony, a multitude of birds, including barred owls, five species of woodpeckers, wrens and countless songbirds, make their home in the French Creek Estuary.
A large pond on the preserve provides habitat for beavers, deer, mink, raccoons, waterfowl, bats, amphibians, and insects. The Nature Preserve is designated by Environment Canada as one of our country’s protected areas, which helped us receive grants for studies and surveys of insects, amphibians, reptiles and, soon, a bat survey. All important species for a healthy ecosystem.
So, will our weeding ever be done?
Perhaps not, but we enjoy our Tuesday mornings, where we have chats with friends and get exercise in the fresh air. Recently, the Regional District of Nanaimo Parks Department excavated a huge swath of blackberry bushes near French Creek. Following this, volunteers shovelled out root balls and hauled mulch to cover the whole area in preparation for planting native plants next year.
Each volunteer contributes what they can, at their own ability level, for the preservation of this important ecosystem.
We are determined to save this one little piece of our world!
Would you like to join our industrious group or learn more about our work?
Check out the websites: Save Estuary Land Society at www.saveestuarylandsociety.ca or Arrowsmith Naturalists at arrowsmithnats.org for more information.
If you’d like to be a Hero for the Herons, tax-deductible donations can be made via CanadaHelps on the Save Estuary Land Society‘s website.
