Biodiversity of Richmond, British Columbia

Sometimes sigificant natural areas can lie unnoticed in a region for many years. This was the case with the Lulu Island Wetlands, a significant freshwater wetland area that lies in central Richmond. This is a peat wetland, once part of the Greater Lulu Island Bog--a bog that rivalled Burns Bog in size.  It was once mined for peat, creating relatively large pond openings in the former peat mat.  Peat mining ceased in the 1970's and the wetlands have evolved untouched since then. They provide significant habitat for breeding birds in Richmond, including the Sandhill Crane.  It was only a few years ago that a pair of Sandhill Cranes was first discovered nesting in the wetlands and it has now been determined that other cranes use the site as a stopover spot.