Bog Restoration & Conservation in Metro Vancouver

There is some fantastic work being done to conserve wetlands in Langley, Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, and beyond. Wetlands are valuable ecosystems. Wetlands such as bogs offer irreplaceable water absorption and flood prevention capabilities. They absorb great amounts of precipitation and runoff.

Bogs are ancient ecosystems formed by glaciers during the ice age. One of the most amazing things about bogs, is how bog moss has the ability to absorb and hold accumulated CO2 from the atmosphere. And as the planet continues to warm due to high levels of CO2 in the atmosphere, protecting and restoring peatlands, like our Langley Bog in Derby Reach Regional Park, is more important than ever.

There are some wonderful opportunities to get involved as a volunteer or graduate student for approved research or restoration projects in our local bogs. Check out the information below or get in touch with us for more information. Here is a summary of the bog restoration and conservation projects happening in the lower mainland at Langley Bog, Camosun Bog, and Burns Bog.

Langley Bog — Derby Reach Regional Park, Langley, BC

2020-2022: Impacts of Roads and Cranberry Agriculture on Bog Wetland Hydrology with Restoration Recommendations for Langley Bog
2008-2009: Mapping of Basic Features and Surface Elevations; and Documenting General, Physical, and Chemical Characterization of Peatlands and Peat Bog Depth for Langley Bog

The Langley Bog is a component of Derby Reach Regional Park but is closed off from public access for safety and preservation purposes. The Langley Bog contains approximately 28 hectares of bog forest and 80 hectares of mined bog, and two bog meadows. It is bounded on the north and east sides by Allard Crescent and it extends west of 208th Avenue. Approximately 75% of the bog has been converted into cranberry fields. Another 15% was mined for peat moss between 1958 and 1980. The remaining 10% is undisturbed bog forest. Our DRBIPA Bog Restoration Committee works on special restoration projects within the Langley Bog in collaboration with Metro Vancouver Regional Parks, Trinity Western University, and Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

Here are some interesting news articles about Langley Bog:

Bog An 'Environmental Treasure Chest' written by Miranda Gathercole January 2017
Mapping Ancient Flood Deposits in the Langley Bog: A Student Research Program December 2018
Global BC Curious Minds: Protecting the Langley Bog
Impacts of roads and cranberry agriculture on bog wetland hydrology with restoration recommendations for Langley Bog
Volunteers Needed for a 3 Day Langley Bog Clean-up Project written by Tanmay Ahluwalia August 2022

Camosun Bog — Pacific Spirit Regional Park, Vancouver, BC

2015: A Natural History and Dioramic Performance – Restoring Camosun Bog in Vancouver British Columbia
2002: “The Camosun Blueberry” Discovery

Camosun Bog is ideal for scientific studies because of its small size and location close to UBC. The Camosun Bog Restoration Group is carrying out a number of studies on the bog. Find a full list of projects and resources for Camosun Bog HERE.

Burns Bog — Burns Bog Delta Nature Reserve, Delta, BC

2013: Can Analysis of Historic Lagg Forms Be of Use in the Restoration of Highly Altered Raised Bogs? Examples from Burns Bog, British Columbia
2011: The ins and outs of Burns Bog: A water balance study
2008: Restoration of Burns Bog, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
2008: The Future of Burns Bog, Canada: Stakeholder Participation or Habitat Decline?
2006: Restoring The Natural Hydrology of Burns Bog, Delta, BC - The Key to the Bog's Ecological Recovery
2000: Burns Bog Ecosystem Review Synthesis Report for Burns Bog, Fraser River Delta, South-western British Columbia, Canada
1975-1976: An Ecological and Land Use Study of Burns bog, Delta, British Columbia

The Burns Bog Conservation Society was officially formed in 1988 by a group of citizens concerned with the protection (or lack thereof) of Burns Bog. This group of dedicated individuals helped to save Burns Bog from various development proposals. In 2004, over 5,000 acres of Burns Bog was purchased by the City of Delta, Metro Vancouver, the Province of BC, and the Federal Government. This land was set aside as an ecological conservancy, limiting public access to these lands. The Burns Bog Conservation Society now holds education and stewardship events solely in the Delta Nature Reserve, where the public is able to join our hardworking staff. The Society continues to advocate for the protection of the remaining area of Burns Bog that falls outside of the Conservation Area, but is critical for plants and wildlife.