Esquimalt Lagoon Stewardship Initiative

In 2000, organizations with an interest in or jurisdiction over Esquimalt Lagoon, Coburg Peninsula and the surrounding lands came together to discuss environmental issues and explore opportunities for partnerships. Many of these agencies and stakeholder groups decided to work together and the Esquimalt Lagoon Stewardship Initiative (ELSI) was formed. ELSI was established to address issues related to the environmental quality of the lagoon and to facilitate coordination between multiple government agencies and partners involved in managing the area.

ELSI is led by a consensus-based multi-stakeholder steering committee working together to protect and enhance Esquimalt Lagoon and its surrounding watersheds to pursue a coordinated approach to the environmental management and stewardship of Esquimalt Lagoon.

1. Promote and support Lagoon stewardship and the education of lagoon visitors, residents and the surrounding community
2. Prevent further loss or destruction of habitat and wildlife
3. Reduce contaminant inputs to the lagoon
4. Promote environmentally protective recreation use

Many of the ELSI partners have mandated responsibilities for various aspects of environmental management of Esquimalt Lagoon and the adjacent lands. Others are interested in the management of the lagoon for recreational and ecological values and as traditional lands.

Organizations, businesses, environmental groups and members of the public with an interest in the stewardship of Esquimalt Lagoon are encouraged to join ELSI. Refer to the ELSI Steering Committee Terms of Reference [PDF/195KB] for more membership details. 

Partners

• BC Ministry of Environment and Parks 
• Bee Creek Fish Monitors
• Canadian Wildlife Service
• Capital Regional District
• Citizens Environmental Network in Colwood (CENiC)
• City of Colwood
• City of Langford
• Department of National Defense
• Esquimalt Nation
• Environment and Climate Change Canada
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• Greater Victoria Nature Hood
• Parks Canada - Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites
• Royal Roads University
• Songhees Nation
• Victoria Nature

ELSI is chaired and coordinated by the Capital Regional District (CRD) funded by the CRD initiative. The ELSI Coordinator manages projects, seeks funding and organizes ELSI.

Steering Committee Meetings

Meetings are open to the public and held on a quarterly basis. 

To attend a meeting or with questions about joining ELSI, please contact the ELSI coordinator at info@elsi.ca 

Esquimalt Lagoon is regionally significant due to its unique ecology and its designation as a federal Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Birds stop at the lagoon to rest and feed on their migration in the spring and fall. Many species also spend the winter here, and from October to May this is one of the birding hot spots in the region. Learn more about the Esquimalt Lagoon Migratory Bird Sanctuary [PDF/1.8MB] [PDF/1.8MB]

Esquimalt Lagoon is a shallow lagoon enclosed by a sand and gravel barrier spit (Coburg Peninsula), and is connected to the ocean with a tidal channel at the northeast end. The entire lagoon is essentially an estuary, as it receives freshwater from streams and salt water through the tidal channel.

Colwood, Bee and Selleck creeks drain into Esquimalt Lagoon, in addition to a series of smaller spring-fed creeks from groundwater flows originating beneath the loose gravel sediments along the slope above the lagoon. Historically, the creeks that flow into Esquimalt Lagoon have been degraded by pollution, alteration of the stream flows and channel modification. Still, these creeks remain important fish habitat.

Esquimalt Lagoon has many valued habitat that support the rich biodiversity of the area:

• Eelgrass provides shelter and food for fish and small sea creatures and supports a diverse food web.
• Kelp beds can provide refuge in areas of strong tidal currents for many fish, invertebrates, and marine mammals.
• Salt marshes are highly productive ecosystems and provide rich feeding grounds for birds as well as a sheltered environment for fish.
• Sand dunes provide plant and wildlife habitat, a natural barrier against wind and waves, and are worthy of protecting and restoring.
• Sand and Gravel Flats provide habitat for butter clams, littleneck clams, mussels and oysters.
• Estuaries provide critical sheltered habitat and food for juvenile fish such as salmon, sea-run cutthroat trout and herring.

The invasive European Green Crab (EGC) has recently been found in Esquimalt Lagoon through a monitoring program led by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). EGC is of concern because it has the potential to destroy eelgrass meadows, which are important nursery habitat for herring and salmon. The crabs also eat local clams, oysters, and mussels, and compete with other native crabs.

How to Identify

European green crabs are a mottled olive green and brown, with two distinct crescent-shaped lines of yellow dots behind their eyes.

Main identifying features:

• Five spines on the side of each eye
• A pentagon-shaped shell
• Three rounded lobes between the eyes

Report a Sighting

The European green crab is often green, though not always. Its main distinguishing feature are five spines beside each eye. Please confirm, that you are not viewing one of BC's native crabs that appear green in colour.

If a European green crab is found, please capture a clear photo and precise GPS coordinates if possible and call 1-888-356-7525 OR email: DFO.AISPacific-EAEPacifique.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Volunteer for European Green Crab Monitoring:

In partnership with the DFO, ELSI volunteers monitor the lagoon for the highly invasive European Green Crab. This work involves monthly crab trapping and identification, between April and September each year. For more information about volunteering contact the ELSI coordinator via email at info@elsi.ca.

The Bee Creek Fish volunteers monitor Bee Creek for cutthroat trout. The goal is to determine the types of fish that use the creek and to assess the restoration potential for the creeks. A healthy population of cutthroat trout signify a healthy creek. Learn more about volunteer fish monitoring efforts at Bee Creek.

Esquimalt Lagoon has a rich array of biodiversity. See what biodiversity has been found at Esquimalt Lagoon and help create an inventory of species:

• Esquimalt Lagoon iNaturalist listing
• Esquimalt Lagoon ebird listing
• ELSI Plant Identification Field Booklet [PDF/5.6MB]

Birds Canada also has a range of citizen science programs [PDF/169KB] to get involved with. 

ELSI volunteers remove invasive plants around Esquimalt Lagoon, including thistle, blackberry, broom and other species. To get involved, contact the ELSI Coordinator at info@elsi.ca.

ELSI partners with the Surfrider Foundation Southern Vancouver Island to host an annual beach clean-up at Esquimalt Lagoon. To get involved, contact the ELSI Coordinator at info@elsi.ca.

• Check and repair automobile fluid leaks.
• Garden organically.
• Regularly monitor and maintain septic tanks and fields.
• Dispose of household chemicals responsibly and never pour them down a storm drain.
• Upgrade and remove heating oil tanks.
• Sweep sidewalks and driveways instead of using a hose.
• Use a commercial car wash or wash your car on a grass or gravel area.
• Dispose of pet waste and litter responsibly.
• Report spills on land or water to provincial authorities at 1-800-663-3456.

• Pave as little of your property as possible to reduce the amount of hard, impermeable surfaces. Consider permeable options like gravel or paving stones as alternatives.
• Plant drought-tolerant trees, shrubs and grass to limit watering. Native species need less water.
• Collect rainwater onsite in a rain barrel or rain garden.

• Plant native trees and shrubs and remove invasive plants.
• Choose pollinator-friendly plants to attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
• Dead trees and other dried or decaying plants can provide shelter for wildlife, as well as a food source.
• Keep your cat indoors or supervise it outdoors to protect birds.
• Put decals on your windows to prevent bird collisions.
• Use bird baths and nest boxes to attract birds to your garden.
• Shoreline property owners should consider using a Green Shores approach to soften and naturalize shorelines.
• Pick up litter when you see it in the watershed and join beach clean-ups at Esquimalt Lagoon.
• Learn more about the flora and fauna of the Esquimalt Lagoon.
• Talk to your friends and neighbours about ways to protect the Esquimalt Lagoon watershed.

Everything that occurs within the Esquimalt Lagoon watershed has the potential to affect the health of the lagoon and its wildlife. Thank you for doing your part to protect this important watershed.

Intertidal plants and animals are vulnerable at low tide and can be damaged or killed if trampled. Be respectful of marine intertidal life and avoid walking on mussels, clams, barnacles and sensitive fringe marsh plants.  

The shoreline of Esquimalt lagoon has sensitive habitats like sand dunes and salt marshes that should not be trampled.  In 2006, ELSI worked with partners such as City of Colwood's Park Department to restore dune habitat at the lagoon. The project:

• Restored native dune habitats by planting nearly 2,000 native plants in demonstration restoration plots
• Realigned beach access points and benches to reduce trampling across sensitive dune habitat
• Raised public awareness of dune habitats and engage residents and visitors in stewardship of the dunes.

Between 2006-2013, students from Camosun College's Environmental Technology program participated by doing ecological analysis, monitoring and report writing. The Restoration of Dune Habitat, Coburg Peninsula report (PDF) summarizes the annual monitoring. The results indicate that native plant species are increasing overall in the planted demonstration restoration plots, and non-native plants are decreasing. The City of Colwood took over monitoring efforts after 2013.

The lagoon shoreline is a highly important bird habitat and migrating shorebirds are particularly sensitive to dogs. Please be aware of where you walk your dogs and keep them on a leash at all times within the boundaries of the Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Always stay on existing pathways. Pick up dog waste and put it in garbage receptacles, alongside any other litter. 

The City of Colwood enacted a dog on-leash bylaw in 2008 to ensure that federal regulations regarding pet control are upheld within the Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Colwood installed signs at the lagoon in 2009, and municipal bylaw officers monitor compliance.

The healthiest diet for birds is supplied by nature.  Bread has low nutritional value, affects birds’ digestive systems and lowers their ability to survive on their own. Bird feeding can attract introduced species like mute swans and non-migratory Canada geese which complete with native species for resources. 

It is best to observe birds and wildlife from a distance, as many species are sensitive to disturbances from people and pets.  If wildlife behaviour changes as you approach, you are getting too close! 

If you are at Esquimalt Lagoon and you see something that concerns you - an oil spill, wildlife in trouble, illegal fishing, or a speeding boat - please contact the appropriate agency below. Please be aware that agency numbers and mandates often change, but there is some agency cooperation so calling one number may set the wheels in motion with a number of different agencies. Also keep in mind that it is very useful to provide as exact a location as possible.

Who to contact about spills, pollution, and other issues in the watershed

EMBC - Emergency Management BC: 1.800.663.3456 
*Ask for a Dangerous Goods Incident Report (DGIR) # and a call back. This is your file number to use on other calls

RAPP - Report All Polluters and Poachers: 1.877.952.7277

DFO - Observe, Record, Report line (Department of Fisheries & Oceans): 1.800.465.4336

FFHPP - Fisheries and Fish Habitat Protection Program: 1.866.845.6776

Dead bats reporting (regarding possible spread of White Nose Syndrome): 1.855.922.2287 
Live bats: let Habitat Acquisition Trust know: 250.995.2428

Migratory Bird Sanctuary infractions: 1.888.569.5656 (federal Wildlife Officer) 

Dogs off leash within the Migratory Bird Sanctuary CRD Animal Control Services: 250.478.0624
Environment Canada Enforcement Response Line: 1.888.569.5656