Haliburton Farm Riparian-Wetland Mosaic Restoration

Abstract

Urban development is a leading cause of species loss (McKinney 2006), resulting in habitat loss, fragmentation and biodiversity decline (McPhee et al 2000, Hansen et al 2005, McCauley et al 2013). Haliburton Farm in Saanich, BC is a 4.09 ha organic community farm within an urban area, with an ongoing restoration project working to address the impacts of urban development on the site through the Urban Biodiversity Enhancement and Restoration Project ("UBER-Hali"). The Haliburton Farm restoration areas include an ephemeral wetland, meadow, Douglas-fir forest and the disturbed area between these habitats, which is the subject of this report. This report provides an initial assessment and plans to guide restoration, monitoring and outreach and a report on the first phase implementation.
The restoration efforts to improve ecological integrity and resilience have involved the public in reducing invasive plant impacts and working towards increasing native species diversity, habitat attributes and reestablishment of the hydrological regime. The main area of the site will be excavated to enhance stream habitat and build a wetland and riparian mosaic, including increased coarse woody debris and adding wildlife trees and native plants. The restoration planning and monitoring use a focal suite of species, amphibians, as indicators of ecosystem health. Partnerships and engagement within the neighborhood and greater community are vital to this project's success and future protection of these habitats.