Biodiversity

Lighthouse Park has the only substantial unspoilt transition of habitats and plant associations characteristic of two major biogeoclimatic zones on the Lower Mainland. Situated within the Coastal Western Hemlock zone, the Park's complex topography of rock outcrops and resulting rapid drainage allows some plants of the drier Coastal Douglas-fir zone to become established.

Historically, the Park's diversity includes 250 plant species, at least 70 species of birds, 30 of mammals, four species of reptiles and up to five species of amphibians as well as countless terrestrial invertebrates and marine organisms. The Park today still supports 29 rare and significant plant species. Its veteran conifers are 500 years old and many of the deciduous trees are of record size.

TRILLIUM Trillium ovatum

The Lighthouse Park Preservation Society has replanted this lily along Beacon Trail. It is protected by law as picking the flower results in the entire plant dying.

CORYDALIS Corydalis sempervirens

Producing an unusual irregularly shaped flower, this plant is related to bleeding hearts.

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator

These birds work together to drive fish into shallow water, catching them with their serrated bills.

GREAT BLUE HERON Ardea herodias

This heron is as equally skilled at feeding on fish and invertebrates along the seashore as it is building stick nests high up in the trees.

RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD Selasphorus rufus

Known for their exuberant mating displays, these birds construct a nest of plant down, moss, lichen and spider's silk.

BLUE-EYED DARNER Rhionaeschna multicolor

This large dragonfly is commonly seen across lowland southern BC in summer and early fall.

COMMON ENSATINA Ensatina eschscholtzi

This lungless salamander, unlike its relatives,needs no standing water nor does it have a larval phase. Moist leaf litter and woody debris support its survival and procreation.

GROUND CONE Boschniakia hookeri

Hidden on the forest floor, this vascular plant is a parasite on the roots of salal and kinnikinnick.

RIVER OTTER Lontra canadensis

Unlike its cousin the sea otter, the river otter is able to both swim in water and walk on land.

DWARF JUNIPER Juniperus communis

This widespread species produces 'juvenile' short needle leaves all its life.

COLUMBIA LILY Lilium columbianum

Not to be confused with the Asian tiger lily, this lily lives from sea level to high subalpine meadows in BC.

ANISE SWALLOWTAIL Papilio zelicaon

This widespread and adaptable swallowtail is not seen as often as the larger Western Tiger Swallowtail.