In order to create a biodiversity park, the Ruby Lake Lagoon Society was seeking stewardship of a Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) property at the Feb. 2 community services committee meeting.
The group is interested in managing the Tyner Park property in Madeira Park in order to promote a native plants habitat free of invasive species, as part of its biodiversity strategy.
That strategy includes the creation of these biodiversity parks, for purposes of education and public enjoyment.
We just simply want to improve and enhance the biodiversity of the area, said Lagoon Society chair Michael Jackson. We need to basically open up the area to allow more native species to grow.
Directors at the SCRD were favourable toward the idea, but requested more information to ensure that any improvements made at Tyner Park would not be left to them to maintain in the future.
The Lagoon Society envisions removing invasive plants like blackberry bushes, opening up the area to allow natural growth of native species, as well as erecting signage to educate the public on the type of plants that are native to the Coastal ecosystem.
Also the other thing there's quite a lot of garbage in that property, so we would also get work parties, and the idea is to engage the local community and encourage people to help and do that work, added Jackson.
The group has already started work on a similar park project using lands owned by the Botanical Society, Jackson said.
Biodiversity parks are part of a larger strategy that includes several initiatives, including a Coastal biodiversity assessment, public workshops and ultimately a biodiversity summit in May.
A series of workshops is also expected throughout the next few months.
Making the rounds throughout local governments, the group's co-ordinator, Cynthia Bendickson, has been working to develop and implement the biodiversity strategy on the Sunshine Coast.
More information on their efforts can be obtained a www.lagoonsociety.com or by emailing [email protected].
