Feds pitch in $249K for ecological restoration at North Vancouver's Moodyville Park

The federal government has announced it is investing just over $249,000 for ecological restoration at North Vancouver’s Moodyville Park.

Funding will help the City of North Vancouver restore greenspace and support biodiversity by removing and managing invasive plant species and by planting roughly 10,000 native, climate-resilient shrubs and nearly 1,300 trees.

“We are really excited because we’ve been working on Moodyville for a long time,” said Angela Negenman, environmental co-ordinator for the city and lead on the project.

Negenman said the restoration work is part of a larger-scale project improving Moodyville Park. A biodiversity assessment in 2016 and an invasive plant inventory in 2019 helped the city develop a restoration plan for the park.

The city is contributing $63,000 towards the project, and Negenman said the federal funding will help the city work on “high-priority” restoration areas they haven’t been able to get to yet, including the ravine banks and riparian area at the west side of the park.

That area has many invasive plants and steep ravine banks, making restoration work complicated for city staff and park steward volunteers to complete, she said. The funding will help the municipality hire workers with the appropriate training to complete the project.

Removing invasive plants and putting native shrubs and trees in will help “improve soil health, reinforce the urban forest, stabilize stream banks and enhance habitats for migratory birds, native bats and insect pollinators,” a federal government news release said.

“Restoring Moodyville Park represents an important investment in environmental sustainability and community well-being,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, MP for North Vancouver-Capilano. “By improving this greenspace, we are helping local ecosystems and wildlife thrive, while ensuring residents can enjoy a healthier, more resilient natural area for years to come.”

Saskatoon serviceberry, baldhip rose and willow are some of restoration plants the project may include, alongside Douglas fir, red alder and bigleaf maple trees.

The city is providing opportunities to incorporate Indigenous cultural recognition elements into the project, including interpretive signage and integration of culturally significant vegetation, Negenman said. The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations are being consulted on the project.

The work done to Moodyville Park will bring more natural diversity to the area, said Negenman.

“There’s a lot of birds and urban wildlife that use this area,” she said. “We want to return this area to a healthier, more natural state so it can sustain itself over time.”

The next step for the project will be drafting a request for proposal to invite companies to submit bids to help complete the work alongside CNV staff and park steward volunteers. The city estimates the project will start later this year and be completed by the end of 2027 or 2028.

“This project really helps to create a healthier ecosystem and more resilient communities,” Negenman said. “Investing in nature-based solutions will benefit the community and environment for years to come.”

Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.

Abby Luciano, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, North Shore News