Alouette River Management Society

A sweet summer treat… with a complicated story 🌿

Blackberries are everywhere right now! Their juicy, dark berries are tempting us from trailsides, parks, and backyard corners across the Alouette Watershed. But did you know that the blackberry you’re picking is likely not a native plant?

The Himalayan blackberry may produce delicious fruit, but it is actually an invasive species that can quickly take over natural areas. At ARMS, we spend a lot of time removing blackberry from restoration sites because dense blackberry patches can crowd out native plants, reduce biodiversity, and make it harder for important native vegetation to grow. 🌱

So why do we see so much wildlife enjoying it? 🐦🐻
Like many invasive species, blackberry has become part of the landscape, and its berries provide a food source for birds, small mammals, and other wildlife. Pollinators also visit its flowers. Nature often finds ways to use what is available!

But a healthy watershed needs a balance. Native plants provide the best long-term habitat because they have evolved alongside our local wildlife and support a wider range of species.

🌿 If you’re picking blackberries this summer:
🫐 Enjoy the harvest—but leave some behind for wildlife.
🌱 Avoid spreading blackberry to new areas (seeds can travel through wildlife and yard waste).
🚮 Never dump garden clippings or invasive plants into natural areas.
🌎 Consider planting native berry-producing plants like salmonberry, thimbleberry, or red huckleberry to support local wildlife.

The next time you enjoy a blackberry pie or a handful of fresh berries, remember the story behind this plant: a delicious invader that reminds us how complicated our relationship with nature can be.

🚧 Habitat Restoration Begins This August at Coniagas Channel! 🐟🌿

ARMS is excited to begin habitat restoration work along Coniagas Channel, a previously constructed rearing channel connected to the South Alouette River.

Over time, the channel has gradually become disconnected due to the buildup of sediment and invasive reed canary grass, reducing the quality of rearing habitat for juvenile salmon. This restoration project will help reconnect the channel and improve critical habitat for young salmon as they grow before heading to the ocean.

This summer and fall, our work will include:
🌱 Fish salvage operations to safely relocate fish before construction begins.
🚜 Removing accumulated sediment with an excavator to restore water flow.
🪵 Installing large woody debris to create shelter and improve habitat complexity.
🌿 Native tree and shrub planting, along with protective beaver caging, later this September.

Healthy side channels like Coniagas provide essential refuge, food, and shelter for juvenile salmon, making them an important part of a thriving watershed.

We would also like to recognize the generous financial contributions of the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program and the Pacific Salmon Foundation. Their support is making this important habitat restoration project possible, helping to restore and protect critical salmon habitat for years to come.

Stay tuned as we share updates and photos throughout the restoration process!