Camosun Bog Restoration Group
Started in 1996, the Camosun Bog Restoration Group (affectionately known as the “Crazy Boggers”) has slowly worked on an ambitious plan (some would say crazy)…. the restoration of Camosun Bog in Pacific Spirit Regional Park.
The bog had deteriorated to the point of just about disappearing as a result of human interference – putting in drains, dumping garbage and using it as a landfill. Working with the enthusiastic support of Metro V. Parks management and the Pacific Spirit Park Society, a group of local nature lovers was formed to try to restore the bog to its original condition. Ten years later our work is 80% complete and we can now look forward to successful completion of our project
A Short CBRG History
•1996-1999 - Emergency Action. We removed many hundreds of birch trees that had grown up over 4m in height and were destroying the bog. Without this action there would be no bog left today
•1997-2000 - Initial Research in Bog Restoration. There was very little technical information on how to carry out restoration of this type of bog and we have had to learn our own techniques. We built a test bog 8m x10m in size and from this learned that controlling the surface elevation of the bog (within 10cm) was the most important factor.
•1999-2005 - Restoration of 80% of the Bog. This involved clearing the surface of all non-bog species and adjusting the ground to the best level as found in our original research. We then planted Sphagnum Moss to cover around 10% of the surface. Over a couple of years the area filled in with Sphagnum Moss and other bog plants, and at this time we have had to weed it to stop invading plants from coming in.
•2006-7 - Completion of the Bog Restoration
Our Group
We are a small and diverse group of nature lovers, aged 5 to 82, each with unique and complementary talents. We have built a high degree of trust and respect in our group and all our decisions are made by consensus. Above all we have a lot of fun.
Our main activity is the weekly work party – every Saturday year round (more or less rain or shine) from roughly 9am till noon. Nobody comes every Saturday but we know there is always a work party and we come if we can. Some people come just to visit friends. There will always be an experienced member of our group available to help new people.
We have very few meetings –a planning meeting in February (essentially a party) – and the occasional meeting in the bog
Come to one of our Saturday Work Parties. Best to come around 10am the first time.
The bog is located at 19th and Camosun near Queen Elizabeth School. Walk in on the boardwalk and meet us.
The Camosun Bog Nature Walk
We have just completed construction of a 180m long walkway that meanders round the bog and opens up the restored area to public viewing. We very much appreciate the financial assistance provided by Pacific Parklands Foundation, Interfor, Vancity, TD Friends of the Environment and BC Hydro. The last stage of the project will be installation of interpretive signs and we are currently trying to raise $12,000 for this
this page contributed by Laurence Brown, January 2007
