Lazo Marsh-North East Comox Wildlife Management Area

Located within the traditional territory of the K'omoks people, the Lazo Marsh-NE Management Area sits approximately 1.86 miles (3 km) 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 marsh area is plagued by an invasion of yellow flag iris', which has proven resistant to mitigation efforts. Early detection and eradication is a key component to minimizing environmental damages and disturbances. == History ==

The area surrounding the marsh and greater Comox valley has been inhabited since the last ice age, with European contact occurring in the 1700s. The marsh was briefly known as the Radford's Swamp, and today, the K'omoks First Nation engages in various ecological protect and restoration projects, including the sharing of land and caring for the Lazo Marsh. Much of the area was home to a vast amount of both resident and migratory bird species, however during the 1930s and 1940s the area was drained to make room for potato farming, until beaver damning interfered. In 1994 a public hearing was held in response to development proposals, where locals opposed the idea and the area as a whole as designated as Crown Forest. Eventually, in 2001 the Lazo March- North East Comox Wildlife Management Area was established.The view on this now-protected land wasn't always that of appreciation. Old scrap metal and car parts littered among the forest and marsh lands shows the view that this land was once thought of as a dump. ==References==