Restoration Update July 2024
Things are growing at Xwaaqw’um! The lush wet spring has allowed for strong growth of our trees and large shrubs in the restored wetlands. Wetland 1 benefits from it’s deer fence and has incredible density of native plants – both naturalized alders and willows plus the 150+ planted Western Red cedar and Black cottonwood. These are two key species that will help to transform the bottomlands back into swamps and hold water deep in the soil for the drought times.
Hawthorn removal areas have grown in and the soil is covered once again. Wetland seed mix from Satinflower Native Plants was applied to the laneway closest to Lee creek and we were so happy to see some native flowers growing where previously only invasive species had been. Yellow monkeyflower and Western Yellow cress are blooming now, and the seed heads of Blue wild rye are visible as they ripen. Pacific silverweed, Large-leaf avens, Salmonberry, and Hedge-nettle plants are growing but will remain small until next year.
With the extreme weather conditions, Stqeeye’s restoration team is on standby until the autumn season when wetland construction will begin in earnest. We have had incredible support for our work, and with this being Year 3 of our large wetland project, all eyes are on the autumn and the weather!
