Lazo Marsh-North East Comox Wildlife Management Area
Lazo Marsh-North East Comox Wildlife Management Area is a wildlife management area on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. It was established by the British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNRORD) on 6 April 2001 to preserve local species. The marshlands is owned jointly by the K'omoxs First Nation, the towns' municipality, and the Comox Valley Regional District, and lays within both the traditional territories of the K'omoks people and the Pacific Temperate Rain Forest. The Marsh is home to many species of fish, birds, flora and fauna; some endemic, some native to the area (both residential and migratory), and others invasive. The marsh has a long history of mixed uses and protections that have culminated into its present form and use. Geography Located within the traditional territory of the K'omoks people, the Lazo Marsh-NE Management Area sits approximately 1.86 miles (3km) East of the town of Comox and sits on a peninsula overlooking the Strait of Georgia. The marsh area varies in elevation from 2-12 meters above sea level. It is 159 hectares in size and is connected to the Comox North East Woods. The marsh and greater Comox area are described as having a Marine West Coast, Warm Summer Climate (Cfb), having cool summers, mild winters and high humidity, with a relatively narrow temperature range. The conservation lands on which the marsh sits are also under the District of Campbell River, as per the Natural Resource Regions and Districts of British Columbia. Environment Ecosystems The Lazo Marsh-North East Comox Conservation Area, is a part of a large conversation area which includes the neighboring Lazo Marsh, Comox North East Woods, and a sanctuary. The area(s) are connected through a series of trail networks for people to hike, bike, and enjoy. The Marsh and surrounding (greater) area lay within the Coastal Western Hemlock Very Dry Maritime zone (CWHxm1) just North of the Coastal Douglas Fir Moist Maritime zone (CDFmm). These zones in turn as both part of the greater Pacific Temperate Rainforest. The surrounding area is made up of several rare ecosystems including wetland and riparian, as well as woodland and coastal bluffs. The wetland ecosystem of which the conservation area is a part of has seen a roughly 30% reduction since 1992. Today the marsh land undergoes periodic (man-made) scarification by bulldozer(s) in order to aid in creating more open water for birds and other lifeforms. Wildlife The marsh has been a well established year-round home for a large variety of birds for some time, as well as home to several fish species, including coho salmon fry and several trout species. Some rare birds have been found at this site, such as the Red-flanked bluetail, which has only ever been spotted in Canada one other time as of 2016. One species of raptor that can be found in the marsh area is the Northern Pygmy Owl or Vancouver Island Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium Gnoma Swarthi), which is endemic to the area. The