On Aug. 9, the City of Surrey’s Salmon Habitat Restoration Program (SHaRP) and Surrey’s Natural Areas Partnership (SNAP) joined forces to enhance Queen Mary Park.
Over the course of the afternoon, 14 local high school and university students took to the park to pick up litter, remove English ivy, lamium and Himalayan blackberry.
The event was organized by SHaRP’s Chelsea Nerpio and SNAP’s Stephen McGlenn in order to engage the community in sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Located north of 88 Avenue and west of 132 Street, just minutes away from the David Brankin Elementary School, Queen Mary Park is a popular park for community members and young children. Much of the parks natural area has been established to protect the sensitive ecosystem of Healy Creek, which is an important tributary to Bear Creek and the Serpentine River. The park has a number of trails that wind through sections of rich tree growth and play host to a number of local plant and animal species.
“SNAP and SHaRP both provide excellent opportunities for high school and post-secondary students,” said SNAP program coordinator Stephen McGlenn. “They also provide many benefits to Surrey residents through the protection and enhancement of natural and riparian areas.”
“I joined SHaRP because I was looking for a way to give back to the community as well as do my part for Surrey’s environment,” said SHaRP crew member Saj Sangha.
“It’s really great to be out here with the SNAP team today helping to improve Queen Mary Park. Our work is really rewarding.”
SNAP and SHaRP employ post-secondary and high school students through the summer months.
SNAP focuses on restoring natural areas in parks and the health of boulevard trees, while SHaRP focuses on aquatic areas and enhancing salmon habitat.
Both programs are part of the City of Surrey’s “Nature Matters” initiative.
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