This Sunday, March 24, 2024, marks the 20th anniversary of the landmark acquisition of Burns Bog by the City of Delta, Metro Vancouver, Province of British Columbia, and Government of Canada. This acquisition, which protected 2,042 hectares of the bog as a designated Ecological Conservancy Area, remains a significant milestone in environmental conservation for Delta and the region.
Since the original purchase in 2004, an additional 321 hectares have been added to the Burns Bog protected area through collaborative efforts between Delta and Metro Vancouver.
It is important to acknowledge that Burns Bog is located on the shared, traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the scəw̓aθən (Tsawwassen), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), and other Coast Salish Peoples. The City of Delta extends its appreciation to these First Nations for the opportunity to advance initiatives that honour the cultural and traditional uses of the Burns Bog Ecological Conservancy Area while promoting a collaborative management approach to enhance and protect the area.
Over the past two decades, managing agencies have worked tirelessly to safeguard Burns Bog, monitoring its health and restoring its hydrology and ecology. The City of Delta has constructed nearly 500 dams to raise the water table and mitigate wildfire risks. Metro Vancouver has actively managed invasive species and removed tree seedlings from disturbed sites to restore the bog's natural shrub and moss plant communities. Scientific research and graduate studies on Burns Bog have significantly expanded our understanding of the ecosystem, guiding future management strategies.
“Burns Bog is one of the largest undeveloped urban wilderness areas in Canada and is rich in biodiversity. Conservation partners, such as the City of Delta and Metro Vancouver Parks, are doing some amazing work to restore the health of this vital ecological area. I would like to congratulate them on their 20th anniversary and thank them for their many years of work and dedication towards conservation in British Columbia. By working together, we are making progress toward Canada’s efforts to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, and to protect and conserve nature throughout Canada.”
- The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“Deltans are very proud to have the Lungs of the Lower Mainland in our backyard, and we take our shared responsibility to protect and restore Burns Bog very seriously. In the 20 years that the conservation agreement has been in place, cooperation between all levels of government has resulted in further ecological preservation, increased public education and awareness, and significant scientific research. This agreement is a model for how we can all work together to protect our natural environment.”
- The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Physical Activity, Member of Parliament for Delta, B.C.
"The purchase of Burns Bog demonstrates how governments and communities can come together to protect the environment. Using agreements like the Tripartite Framework Agreement on Nature Conservation that’s valued at more than $1 billion, along with the Conservation Financing Mechanism, we're working on our shared goals to prioritize ecosystem health while managing natural resources for healthier environments, communities, and economies."
- Nathan Cullen, B.C. Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
“I’m proud to celebrate the continued conservation of the largest raised bog on the west coast of the Americas, and the City of Delta’s leadership role in managing and restoring this valuable ecosystem. In my prior role as Delta’s City Manager, I spent many hours negotiating the purchase of the bog, and I remember vividly how meaningful Burns Bog was to our community and our entire region, and this support has increased tenfold since then.”
- Mayor George V. Harvie
“Burns Bog is a natural wonder and a prime example of what’s possible when governments work together. We are pleased to continue our collaboration on extensive restoration and conservation efforts in this vital wetland. Metro Vancouver is working hard to acquire parkland and green spaces all across the region to protect nature, enhance climate resilience, and provide public access to nature.”
- John McEwen, Vice Chair, Metro Vancouver
Originally recognized as an ecological gem and vital habitat for rare and endangered wildlife and plants, Burns Bog has evolved to be understood as a crucial carbon sink, playing a pivotal role in mitigating climate change.
The Burns Bog Ecological Conservancy Area is protected by a Conservation Covenant, ensuring its preservation for future generations. To learn more about Burns Bog, visit www.burnsbog.ca.
For more information on this news release, please contact media@delta.ca.