Chemainus Youth About to Rip Out Plants in Askew Creek Park

Chemainus Youth About to Rip Out Plants in Askew Creek Park

On Saturday January 15, a group of youth volunteers from the Neighbourhood House will be causing mass destruction in Askew Creek Park. Don’t worry, it’s all in the name of biodiversity! They will be joined by the Askew Creek streamkeepers and the Cowichan Land Trust to help clear the park of invasive English ivy. All local residents are welcome to participate in the work party, which will begin at 11am at the Oak St. park entrance. Refreshments will be provided; all you need is a lunch, a pair of gloves and your enthusiasm! Click here to check out the event poster.

English ivy is a widely planted vine that has quickly spread from our gardens into the park. Ivy inhibits the growth and regeneration of native wildflowers, shrubs and trees through shading and smothering. Native plants not only provide shelter and food for birds, invertebrates and other animals on land, but also for the fish living within the creek.

This work party is one of several streamkeeper events to take place in the Cowichan region as part of the CLT’s Friends of Cowichan Creeks project. Over the next two years the CLT will be working to monitor, protect, and enhance creeks by facilitating the work of streamkeeper groups. Funding for this project comes from Environment Canada’s EcoAction Community Funding Program, the Junior League of Greater Vancouver Legacy Fund, the Vancouver Foundation, RBC Blue Water Project, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and Telus.

For more information about the Friends of Cowichan Creeks project, check out the “Projects” page.