A coastal body of water on Vancouver Island will be restored after an investment of $1 million from the federal government.
The Kus-kus-sum project is restoring a former industrial sawmill site in the heart of the K'ómoks Estuary in the Comox Valley to a natural, functioning ecosystem. This work is taking place on 8.3 acres of tidal marsh and riparian forest that will connect to an already-protected and conserved area of healthy estuary.
This vital habitat supports all five species of Pacific salmon, as well as hundreds of bird and plant species. However, activities associated with a local sawmill, which began operations in 1949, degraded this critical ecosystem. Work is underway to restore natural biodiversity, maximize benefits to fish and wildlife, lessen climate change impacts, and restore cultural and traditional uses of the site by the K'ómoks First Nation community members. This project builds on previous restorations that support numerous species, including an endangered population of Chinook salmon.
