MacKay Marsh, North Vancouver

MacKay Marsh is a large freshwater marsh located in a highly developed area within the District of North Vancouver.  Several businesses and industries are situated around the wetland and allow significant amounts of pollution to enter the wetland as runoff during rain events. MacKay Marsh is also subject to illegal dumping and the encroachment of invasive species.  The aquatic and riparian areas of the wetland have been heavily inundated with introduced and invasive vegetation including Himalayan blackberry, English ivy, reed canary grass, and yellow flag iris.  The invasion of noxious plants has negatively impacted water quality and reduced habitat availability for fish and wildlife within the marsh.

In 2018-2019, we have put significant efforts towards restoring this area back to a healthy state. The invasives along the riparian area were removed manually and replanted with native vegetation and the aquatic invasives were removed with an excavator. Several logs were inserted into the substrate to provide additional habitat for birds and other species. Our goal is to increase the period in which this wetland holds water throughout the year, so that it can provide greater habitat options for numerous species in on the North Shore.