Simon Fraser University
OP-11: Biodiversity

Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area is a 700+ acre conservation area adjacent to Simon Fraser University. This park was originally established in 1930 and dominates the northeast quadrant of Burnaby. Simon Fraser University opened its doors in the mid-1960s; the university transferred the 820 acres of land that make up the Conservation Area in 1995. Burnaby Mountain forms the City's most prominent geological feature and landmark with its beautifully forested slopes rising to an elevation of 370 metres (1,214 feet ) above sea level. The mountain also forms the headwaters to several watersheds, draining to both the environmentally sensitive Burrard Inlet and the Central Valley watersheds. The UniverCity development adjacent to Simon Fraser University provided the opportunity to protect additional environmentally significant lands associated with Naheeno Park and conservation lands related the escarpment and local streams. The Conservation Area also includes defined development restrictions for the two industrial sites designated for petroleum storage and distribution uses. Continued civic acquisition of the few remaining private and government holdings will complete the assembly program.

In 2011, the external environmental consultancy Hemmera completed a major review of the south part of campus. To allow for mitigation of development impacts in the South Neighbourhood lands, studies were undertaken (Hemmera Environmental Consultancy, 2011) to ground truth the important vegetation communities and identify rare / uncommon ecosystem types. Although all vegetation association habitats are considered important, by identifying and protecting at-risk ecosystems, valued ecosystem components (VECs) and specialized habitats, there is a greater chance that local biodiversity can be conserved post-development.

Provincially blue-listed plant communities: • western red cedar / sword fern Dry Maritime • western hemlock / three-leaved foamflower Dry Maritime Important Habitat types/Valued Ecosystem Components (VECs): Riparian Habitats Wet Mature Coniferous Stands Significant Wildlife Trees.

Based on the identification of important vegetation communities and identify rare / uncommon ecosystem types, the Mountain was classified by development considerations. These considerations are used to influence decision making. The terrestrial ecosystem and wildlife habitat considerations ratings are based on guidance provided by Federal, Provincial and Municipal legislation along with recognized development Best Management Practices. Three categories of development considerations are deemed applicable to terrestrial ecosystems and wildlife habitats: Moderate Consideration Areas (Orange) In the South Neighbourhood, the moderate rating is recommended for two Provincially bluelisted plant communities: • western red cedar / sword fern Dry Maritime • western hemlock / three-leaved foamflower Dry Maritime Although there are no specific Federal, Provincial or Municipal approval requirements that constrain development in these areas, BMPs suggest that development in these areas should largely be avoided when planning for development. Low Consideration Areas (Yellow) These are terrestrial ecosystem and wildlife habitat areas that provide additional opportunities for BMPs within the South Neighbourhood. These Low Consideration Areas include: significant trees; conifer dominated forest patches; vegetation buffers around sensitive ecosystem types (10 meters around blue-listed species); and, cross elevation forest patch connectivity corridors. In these areas, lower intensity development types can be accommodated; however, consideration should be provided to enhancing integrity and functionality of non development and higher consideration areas.