Parks biodiversity data collection underway

Rachelle Stein-Wotten

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder

Data collection is underway to develop the Regional District of Nanaimo’s parks biodiversity plan, scheduled to be completed in June.

The RDN has hired McTavish Environmental Consultants to contribute to the development of the plan.

“The main scope of this project is to compile a scientific overview and inventory of biodiversity values and risks in RDN parks,” Rick Daykin, RDN manager of parks services, said.

Existing ecological studies for regional and community parks are being utilized and paired with provincially available data on invasive plants, species at risk, sensitive ecosystem mapping as well as reports from the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Fieldwork is underway at a “representative sample of parks” in the RDN parks system.

Developing the plan does not include a specific stakeholder consultation process, but staff are conducting “targeted discussions with interested parties and stewardship groups,” according to Daykin.

The ultimate plan is meant to identify matters such as which parks need further scientific studies, have biodiversity concerns, or are of high recreation or community value; and consider how to integrate volunteerism and stewardship into long-term management of sensitive habitat areas. Parks will also be broken into five management strategy categories for biodiversity, invasive species and restoration.