In the 1960s, an intertidal area along the south shore of Burrard Inlet was filled in to expand New Brighton Park in east Vancouver removing marine habitat from the vibrant ecosystem of Burrard Inlet.
Together with the City of Vancouver and Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, and in collaboration with Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority restored this area in 2017 through the port authority’s Habitat Enhancement Program, an initiative focused on creating, restoring and enhancing fish and wildlife habitat. With Moffatt & Nichol’s technical expertise, approximately one hectare of New Brighton Park has been restored to tidal influence for the first time since the 1960s. Many coastal birds, juvenile salmon, and other aquatic species have been spotted in the wetland since project completion. The project received a gold rating under the Stewardship Centre for B.C.'s Green Shores® for Coastal Development program and was also selected as a finalist for the 2018 Environmental Manager Association of British Columbia's Environmental Awards.
