Riparian vegetation has a significant impact on the waters of the streams, lakes and wetlands that they join. Riparian vegetation provides shade, cover, bank stabilization, nutrient inputs and for large woody debris. Stream character and function is heavily influenced by its adjoining vegetation.

Riparian restoration has been undertaken by the Conservancy around the eastern end of Laughlin Lake and along the banks of Greig Creek. In both cases the primary restoration treatment has been to remove an invasive exotic plant species to be replaced with native plants. Along the banks of the lower reaches of Greig Creek past clearing of the forested land has lead to the colonization by invasive Himalayan blackberry. Our restoration efforts are aimed at removing the blackberry by cutting back the stalks and uprooting the plants. We then replant native shrubs to the site including: salmonberry, pacific ninebark, red osier dogwood, Indian plum, common snowberry, red elderberry and sword fern. These efforts in the riparian zone are meant to complement our salmon reintroduction efforts by improving this important part of the salmon's habitat. As with most of our projects we build in as many education, outreach and volunteer opportunities as we can.