March 24, 2005
Last year, we were happy to announce that March 24, 2004 marked the purchase of Burns Bog by four different levels of government: the Government of Canada, the Province of BC, the Greater Vancouver Regional District and the Corporation of Delta. This is a significant success towards protecting Burns Bog for future generations! As an Ecological Conservancy Area, Burns Bog should be protected and treated as a natural ecosystem.
According to this conservation covenant, each level of government is bound to:
- Maintain Burns Bog as an undeveloped natural area to protect bog flora and fauna.
- Manage Burns Bog as a functional raised bog ecosystem as understood by the best current science.
- Maintain the level and well being of the water mound and the surrounding peat, while emphasizing upper porous acrotelm.
- Protect against treatment that damages or disturbs the current state of Burns Bog.
- The GVRD, as the lead agency, is obligated to collaborate with all partners about planning and management of Burns Bog as an Ecological Conservancy Area.
The four partners have already begun work towards regulating public entry and analyzing environmental matters. The Burns Bog Agency Work Group, a group headed by includes the GVRD and the Corporation of Delta, has undertaken the responsibility of identifying any immediate concerns.
The GVRD component is responsible for site security, risk management, site patrol, safety and site signage. The Corporation of Delta supervises Water Regime Management and Wildland Fire Management.
Solutions such as installing gate locks or "No Access" signs have already been completed. As for the Corporation of Delta, plans to protect the hydrological features of the bog and to monitor the risk of wildfires, are currently underway.
In addition to any immediate goals, the four levels of government proposed a “Management Plan” to be completed by March 2006. Bob Peart has been hired by
the GVRD to coordinate this plan. A Planning Team, consisting of representatives from the four levels of government, has been formed. A Scientific Advisory Panel has been designed to review bog information. The Panel features Dr. Geoff Scudder, Dr. Hamish Kimmins, Dr. Richard Hebda, Allan Dakin and two honourary members, Dr. Bert Brink and Dr. David Bellamy.
A draft for this Management Plan will be presented to us by mid-September. Eliza Olson, the president of the Burns Bog Conservation Society states, “It’s important that both we and the public read the draft. The more input we provide, the better.”
Though our work is not yet over, we consider the purchase an exciting move towards preserving Burns Bog for future generations. We will not only continue our work to protect the remaining 425 acres, but continue to push for the construction of an Interpretive Centre. This Interpretive Centre, through education and tourism, will encourage the public's awareness of Burns Bog. With your continued support, we can present the importance of continued education and research to the four funding partners.
If you would like more information please visit the Greater Vancouver Regional District website at http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/burnsbog/.
