Volunteers pulled and burned dozens of piles of invasive species on Gerald Island between April 11 and 14. (BC Marine Trails)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

invasive species

Crews destroy invasive species from pristine island off Nanoose Bay

Apr 19, 2024 | 12:05 PM

NANOOSE BAY — An extensive volunteer effort freed an island BC Parks day-use site of damaging invasive plant species recently.

Between April 11 and 14, BC Marine Trails (BCMT) volunteers paddled to the 12 hectare Gerald Island to remove English Ivy, according to a news release from the organization.

“…originally introduced to a homestead on the island in the mid-twentieth century. After the homestead was abandoned and burned down, ivy was able to spread across the island, suffocating the native coastal bluff ecosystem.”

According to the BCMT, the ivy’s vine’s overshadows and outcompetes native vegetation, diminishing habitat, and ecosystem function.

During the course of the four-day effort, 670 volunteer hours led to the removal and burning of several dozen piles of English Ivy and invasive blackberry.

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Gerald Island includes a mix of forest and exposed coastal rocky ecosystem. (BC Marine Trails)

The BCMT release stated invasive species removal has been done on Gerald Island twice annually since 2017.

At that time ivy extended nearly to the high tide line, towering several feet in the air.

“Now, our volunteers have worked their way 75 meters deep into the woods. Many trails are now passable, with interesting discoveries including a stone road, and chicken wire wrapped in Ivy — suggesting animals once lived alongside the homesteaders.”

Funding from Trans Canada Trail contributed to the clean-up, with the next invasive species project on Gerald Island scheduled for September.

Gerald Island, popular with kayakers and canoeists, was established as a park in 2013 following a private land purchase.

The island includes a rocky coastal bluff ecosystem and Douglas fir trees.

Fourteen volunteers worked together to remove and destroy invasive species from Gerald Island (BC Marine Trails)

Gerald Island is accessible from numerous launch points in the Nanoose Bay area. (BC Parks)

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