Visitors to the Lower Perseverance Creek corridor (and the Wellington Trail to Coal Beach) will notice disturbance and activity underway in the riparian area and in the creek bed across from the gravel pit. A Lower Perseverance Creek Floodplain and Riparian Restoration project, funded by the Pacific Salmon Foundation and managed by Current Environmental is underway!
Early fall is restoration season in salmon bearing systems and this critical window allows works to be completed when the creek is dry, minimizing any impacts to resident salmonids. The lowermost reach of Perseverance Creek supports populations of juvenile coho salmon and resident cutthroat and rainbow trout, and provides critical refuge habitat due to its connection to Comox Lake.
The Lower Perseverance Creek Floodplain and Riparian Restoration Project focuses on improving shading, cover, and channel structure in an over‑widened, backwatered section of the creek. The work has involved removing legacy concrete (remnant industrial debris), installing a few small wood (stumps) structures, removing patches of reed canary grass.
The disturbed site was then planted with a fall rye crop to reduce erosion risk and stabilize the site for restoration planting. In the weeks ahead CCFS Volunteers, working closely with Current Environmental, will be densely replanting native floodplain and riparian vegetation to promote succession toward a forested riparian community.
This project responds to well documented habitat limitations associated with altered hydrology, legacy industrial impacts, and a deficiency of instream and riparian complexity. Restoration actions underway are designed to improve channel stability, increase shading, enhance habitat complexity, and provide cover and refuge for salmonids. Environmental stewardship is a key focus of the project, and all works 
have been carried out in a manner that minimizes disturbance to aquatic and riparian habitats, protects fish and wildlife, and supports the long-term recovery of ecological function in the lower Perseverance Creek system.
Want to learn more? Meaghan will be leading a guided walk of the Lower Perseverance Corridor at 3 pm on Friday November 20th. Email meaghan@cumberlandforest.com to sign up!
PLEASE NOTE: We are dealing with challenges with motorized vehicles riding in the dry creek corridor. This activity is preventing the erosion control ground cover from establishing in some area and impacting works. Riding on the beach and in creek beds is harmful to habitat and drinking water. Please help us to pass along this information to others.