Comox North East WoodsIn 1993, when the Town of Comox prepared a development plan for a portion of North East Woods, there was much resistance from residents. In response, the provincial government protected all 76ha (187 acres). The Friends of Comox-Lazo Forest Reserve Society was incorporated in 1996 as stewards.The society and community went on to successfully lobby for the protection of the remaining treed Crown land within District Lot 194 west of Lazo Marsh. K'ómoks First Nation has generously leased this 12ha (30 acres) of forest and trails to the Town of Comox for recreational use and a wildlife buffer under a 99-year agreement. Now the area accessed from Cambridge and Eton Roads as well as Highridge Drive will remain as protected forest.

TrailsExploring the trails is a popular recreational activity with Comox area dog owners, mountain bikers and walkers. When enjoying the trails follow the well-marked 4km loop to minimize human impacts on the forest and marsh ecosystems. Staying on this marked loop allows nature to restore damaged areas. With the cooperation of trail-users, and ongoing community projects such as removing invasive species, the biodiversity of this area can be maintained.Enthusiastic mountain bikers created many of the trails. Several are signed with the names of local pioneer families as a reminder of local heritage. Small green and red triangles on trees identify trees with named signage - look way up. This is a fragile environment. Please walk gently.

The SanctuaryThe Sanctuary lies below the 20 metre contour line. The area is comprised mainly of year round wetlands where erosion and compaction are quite damaging. Access is limited to protect the ecosystem and to provide a wildlife sanctuary. Stay on the marked trails.

Memorandum of Understanding In 2004 the Ministry of Environment, Town of Comox and the Comox Valley Regional District signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to work cooperatively and recognize the obligation to manage the lands for the benefit of ecosystems, fish and wildlife. A new MOU was signed in 2009. In addition, the Friends of Comox-Lazo Forest Reserve and the Comox Town Residents Association are actively involved as volunteer stewards.

Rules and EtiquettePlease help us to protect this rare ecosystem by: • Staying on designated trails• Not feeding birds and other wildlife (it attracts predators such as raccoons and rats)• Leaving trees, shrubs and flowers undamaged for others to enjoy• Viewing wildlife from a safe distance • Respecting conservation area regulations: 1. Leash Dogs 2. No fires, camping, stunt building or motorized bikes or vehicles

Enjoy your visit!

Photo: Catherine Hufnegal

Lazo Marsh In the 1960ʼs a local potato farmer, Bert Marriot, bought 71ha (175 acres) in the area, including Lazo Marsh which was then known as the Radford Swamp. He established a bird sanctuary on 67ha (166 acres) and crusaded to prevent hunting of migratory birds.

In 1975 The Nature Trust of B.C. bought 35ha (85 acres) of the marsh, adding a further 16ha (38 acres) in 1985. Restoration projects by Ducks Unlimited Canada since 1981 have focused on increasing the amount of open water in the Lazo Marsh area to improve habitat for waterfowl.

The marsh and surrounding forests are a year-round wildlife haven. On winter nights, Trumpeter Swans roost in the open waters. In the spring, Pacific Chorus Frogs serenade loudly from land and water with Red Legged Frogs adding five to seven quiet, low-pitched—uh-uh-uh-uh-uh. Wood Duck, and Hooded Merganser nest in nearby tree cavities in spring and raise young amongst other ducklings in the marsh.

Lazo Marsh is at the northern extent of the Coastal Douglas fir bio-geoclimatic zone - the rarest of all landscape types in British Columbia. This ecosystem with its Mediterranean climate has British Columbia's highest density of species that are of both provincial and global conservation concern.

We respectfully acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional lands of the

Kómoks First Nation ... Gila'kasla … Hay ch q’ a’

REPORT ALL POACHERS & POLLUTERSPlease report any vandalism, wildlife violations and

suspicious activities to cell #7277 or to 1-877-952-7277,

Call 911 for Emergencies Report other Concerns to:

1 (250) 751-3218 or (250) 339-2421communityservices@comoxvalleyrd.ca

A little known gem of the Comox Valley is the Lazo Marsh - North East Comox Conservation Area. This 159ha (392 acre) protected area is comprised of land owned by the Kʼómoxs First Nations, the Town of Comox and the Comox Valley Regional District as well as the wildlife management area owned by the Province and The Nature Trust of BC. The area contains a broad spectrum of habitat ranging from wetland, riparian and rare sand dune plant communities, to old growth upland forests and a wealth of, bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian and fish species. Lazo Marsh features over 140 species of fish and wildlife. Several of these are rare or endangered such as the Northern Pygmy Owl.

Lazo MarshNorth East Comox Conservation Area

Photo: Al Fraser

Photo: Tom Reid

Photo: Haley WigardPhoto: Kerry DawsonPhoto: Kerry Dawson

Com ox V a lleyWa ter PollutionControl Centre

Highla ndS econda ryS chool

S choolField

Town of Com oxPla ying Field

BrooklynS chool

Town of Com oxPub lic Works Y a rd

Electora l Area B

Town of Com oxCVRD-ElectoralArea BTow

nofCom ox

PritchardRoad

Guthrie Roa d

Guthrie Roa d

La zoRoa d

PritchardRoad

Ca m b ridge Rd

Eton Roa d

Highridge Drive

Mulb erry La ne

S a ndpines Dr

Noel Ave

EastridgeCrt

BrentRd

BrentRd

MahoniaWay

La zoRoa d

Torrence Road

Colb yRoa d

Wa gnerWa gner

Ma rriotLoop

Melda Bucha na n

Cla rke

MerleBonnick

Ra dford

Jesse

Lone Pine

Lone Pine

Big Log

Bosom worth

Fra ncois

Ha wkins

Butcher's

Big Rock

Oxen

Bonnie & Clyde

Radfor

d

Pendleb ury

Big Rock

Old Dump

Bargeny

McKenzie

Ha rding

T rillium

Picka rds

Merle Bonnick

Trever's

Fa iry S lipper

OregonGrape

S quirrel

Torrence Extension

Old Dum p

Hawkins

Ba rredOw

l

Radford

Pipeline

Worthington

Merle

T rever's

Towers

Ba rney'sBywa y

Pipeline

Trever's

La b a n

LogaRythym

Ba rgeny

Little Ba rney'sS ixS ticks

Ra dford

Little Ba rney's

Bonnick

Betsy Howa rd

Clarke

Butcher's

(noexit)

Worthington

Pipeline

Torrence Extension Sandpines

EntranceRoute

Brooklyn SchoolEntrance Route

TorrenceEntrances

CambridgeEntrance Route

ColbyEntrance

Route

EtonEntrance Route

HighridgeEntrance Route

LazoEntranceRoute

NoelEntrance

Route

20m contour line

20m contour line

20m contour line

20m contour line

20m contour line

Ra dford

Worthi

ngton

Pipeline

Torrence Extension

R:\Projects\Regional\Parks\LzMrshNEWdsMngmntPln\...

This map was prepared by the CVRD and project partners for planning purposes only and is not a legal document.This map is a composite ofdifferent datasets that were developed from different methods and dates. This map should be used with caution. The CVRD and its partnersare not responsible for any damages resulting from any omissions, deletions or errors.Please go to www.comoxvalleyrd.ca to view this map interactively.

S ca le 1:7,2500 75 150 225 30037.5

Metres

Da te S a ved: 3/8/2017 12:42:27 PM

* Note: T he b ounda ry b etween the wildlife sa nctua ry a nd thelow-im pa ct tra il use a rea is determ ined b y the 20 m etre contour line.

Com ox V a lleyWa ter PollutionControl Centre

LazoEntrance

Route

Ma rriot Loop T ra il

Wa gner Tra il

Brent Roa d

Brent Roa d

Curtis Roa d

La zo Roa d

Inset Map

We respectfully a cknowledge tha t we live, work a nd pla y on thetra ditiona l la nds of the K óm oks First Na tion ... Gila 'ka sla … Ha y ch q’ a ’

Lazo Marsh NE Comox Conservation Area - Recreational Trails µ

Legendà Bridge

Wildlife V iewing S ta nd"g Inform a tion K ioskP̄ Pa rking

Entra nce RouteLoop RouteConnector RouteS econda ry T ra ilRoa dside T ra ilMa rriot Loop Tra il a nd Wa gner T ra ilS trea mWetla ndPondRoa dAdm inistra tive Bounda ryTown of Com ox Na ture ReserveWildlife Ma na gem ent Area **Low-Im pa ct T ra il U se Area *Wildlife S a nctua ry*CV RD La zo Wildlife Com m unity Pa rk

Route Distances

Ma rriot Loop Tra ilWa gner Tra il

Connector RoutesPipeline Connector RouteRa dford Connector RouteTorrence Connector RouteWorthington Connector Route

Brooklyn S chool Entra nce RouteCa m b ridge Entra nce RouteColb y Entra nce RouteEton Entra nce RouteHighridge Entra nce RouteLa zo RouteNoel Entra nce RouteS a ndpines Entra nce RouteTorrence Entra nces

Ma in Loop Route 4km

102m287m31m117m151m591m197m1.0km0m

423m86m336m334m

826m1.3km

Entrance Routes

Trails

Loop Route