Forest Health in Regional Parks

As many people in Langley City know, it is important to monitor the health of forests and groves in parks to help manage the spread of diseases that cause the premature death of trees.

Trees in Hunter Park had Laminated Root Rot. Laminated Root Rot spreads tree-to-tree if action isn’t taken. Unfortunately, a significant number of trees in Hunter Park had to be removed, but it stopped the spread of the disease. This is a local example.

The Metro Vancouver Regional District recently completed a forest health survey to help identify problem areas within their park network.

The following maps show three of the significant forested parks in the South of Fraser. More maps are available in the April 1st Regional Parks Committee presentation package.

Burns Bog Forest Health. Select map to enlarge.

Campbell Valley Forest Health. Select map to enlarge.

Aldergrove Park Forest Health. Select map to enlarge.

The next step for the regional district will be to come up with a plan to remedy the problem areas within the forests that they manage.

Forests provided significant ecological services to our region such as:

• Carbon storage
• Carbon sequestration
• Disease regulation
• water filtration and purification
• Flood control
• Pollinator habitat
• Nutrient recycling
• Pest control
• Soil erosion prevention
• Recreation and exercise
• Air filtration
• Shade and cooling
• Soil formation
• Wildlife habitat
• Opportunities for wildlife viewing

It is important that we maintain the health of the limited amount of forested areas that remain in our region.

SkyTrain and bus service slashed. 65 bus routes to be eliminated.

As I posted about last week, TransLink has seen a massive decline in both transit ridership and revenue. This has resulted in the organization losing $75 million per month since the start of the COVID-19 state of emergency. TransLink staff warned last week that if the province or federal government didn’t provide emergency funding, transit service would be significantly cut to ensure that the organization would have the cashflow to meet its financial obligations.

Currently, there is no federal or provincial emergency funding for transit service in Metro Vancouver. Yesterday, TransLink announced significant cuts to transit service which start this week.

On Wednesday, SkyTrain service will be further reduced by 15% to 40% depending on the route and time of day. With reduced frequency, it will be harder for people to practice physical distancing.

The West Coast Express will see two trips in the morning and two trips in the afternoon cancelled. The size of the trains will be reduced.

The SeaBus will also stop sailing by 7:45pm.

Bus service will be hard hit with service reductions or eliminations.

On Friday, 12 bus routes will be eliminated including the R3 Lougheed Highway RapidBus. Six NightBus routes will also be eliminated.

In early May, 47 more routes will be eliminated. Service frequency will be reduced on many remaining routes.

The following routes in Langley are planned to be cut in May:

The 564 bus route which services Langley City and Willowbrook will be eliminated in May. Route shown on map. Select map to enlarge.

The 563 bus route which services Brookswood/Fernridge will be eliminated in May. Route shown on map. Select map to enlarge.

The 509 which is a peak-only service for Walnut Grove will also be cut.

In order to ensure physical distancing, TransLink has reduced the seating on its buses. If these reduced seats become full, transit operators will not pick up further passengers.

With reduced frequency and eliminated routes, it will be challenging for essential workers (including those who work in healthcare) to get to their jobs.

The province has declared transit an essential service. If you believe that transit is important, please ask your MP and MLA to save transit.

In Langley City our MP is Tamara Jansen: tamara.jansen@parl.gc.ca
Our MLA is Mary Polak: mary.polak.MLA@leg.bc.ca

COVID-19 impacts on regional utilities and parks

The Metro Vancouver Regional District provides water, sewer, and solid waste disposal services on behalf of its member municipalities which includes Langley City. The regional district also owns and operates parks throughout Metro Vancouver.

The regional district has posted some statistics about the change in demand for its utilities since the province declared a state of emergency to support COVID-19 response in mid-March.

The demand for water and sewer services has been consistent compared to previous years, even with many businesses shut down.

Weekly water utilization during COVID-19 state of emergency in Metro Vancouver. Select chart to enlarge. Source: Metro Vancouver.

The biggest change has been a shift in peak water demand in the mornings during weekdays. People are likely getting up later in the day as many people no longer need to commute for work.

There has been a 10% decrease in solid waste (garbage) being delivered to Metro Vancouver waste transfer stations. This is likely due to many businesses being shut down.

Solid waste delivered to Metro Vancouver transfer stations by day during COVID-19 state of emergency. Select chart to enlarge. Source: Metro Vancouver.

There has been a large increase in regional park utilization. The regional district has noticed a 40% increase in park utilization. This is supported by Google’s data which shows an overall 20% increase in park utilization throughout the province.

Parks utilization in BC. Select chart to enlarge. Source: Google COVID-19 Community Mobility Report.

Interestingly, BC is the only province in Canada that has seen an increase in park utilization since the start of the COVID-19 state of emergency.

With more people in our parks, Metro Vancouver has created a video and guidelines to help keep people healthy.

Physical Distancing in Metro Vancouver's regional parks from Metro Vancouver on Vimeo.

A quieter, cleaner Langley City

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the lives of people in Langley City. But even in this crisis, there are silver linings.

I’ve done a lot of walking throughout Langley City over the years, and I’ve noticed some things since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our community is quieter now. I can hear birdsongs when walking from my apartment to the grocery store, I can hear people doing yard work, and I can say hello to someone across the street without yelling.

A normally busy 56th Avenue. Select image to enlarge.

The reason why is because there is less traffic on the roads. It is interesting to hear how one relatively quiet car can drown out the sounds of nature. Diesel pickup trucks are especially loud compared to the now normal level of ambient sound in Langley City.

It is good that our city is quieter now because most people are under a higher level of stress. A reduction in ambient sound is linked to improved cardiovascular health, cognitive functions, sleep, and mental health.

With significantly less traffic on our roads, our air quality has also improved. If you’ve been able to see the mountains more over the last month, this is one of the reasons why.

Fine particulate (PM2.5) matter in Langley City over the last month. Source: Metro Vancouver

Inhalable particulate matter (PM10) in Langley City over the last month. Source: Metro Vancouver

Improved air quality is also linked to improved health outcomes.

If you find yourself outside on a walk (where you are practicing physical distancing) stop for a moment and listen to the sounds of nature in our community, look out to see the mountains in the distance. In this crisis, this gives me solace.

When the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us, I hope that the provincial government looks at policies to reduce ambient noise in our communities, and stays the course on reducing motor vehicle emissions.