Restoring a “Paradise of a Place”: Exploring the potential for urban Ecosystem-based Management in the Still Creek Watershed, Vancouver, BC by Catherine Parsons Hons. B.Sc. (Kinesiology), McMaster University, 2009 Research Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Resource Management (Planning) in the School of Resource and Environmental Management Faculty of Environment Report No.: 624 Catherine E.M. Parsons 2015 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Summer 2015 Approval Name: Catherine E.M. Parsons Degree: Master of Resource Management (Planning) Report No. 624 Title: Restoring a "Paradise of a Place": Exploring the potential for urban Ecosystem-based Management in the Still Creek Watershed, Vancouver, BC Examining Committee: Chair: Julia Berry Master of Resource Management Candidate Sean Markey Senior Supervisor Associate Professor Mark Roseland Supervisor Professor Date Defended/Approved: June 26, 2015 ii Ethics Statement iii Abstract This study examines the potential value of applying Ecosystem-based Management (EBM) in the urban setting. It explores how community-driven watershed restoration can be augmented by reframing community perceptions of healthy ecosystems through a holistic, ecosystem-based approach to watershed management. The case study of watershed restoration in Still Creek, Vancouver, British Columbia is informed by an analysis of planning documentation and interviews with local community members, local government representatives, and experts in EBM and urban ecological restoration. The research explores a variety of themes: understanding community motivation for implementing an Ecosystem-based Stewardship Plan, the nature of collaborations between stakeholders, and the potential value that EBM may bring to watershed restoration. Results indicate that EBM is helping the community to perceive Still Creek as an asset that provides significant benefits to the area. To fully implement EBM, the community needs to address challenges that include navigating jurisdictional context, identifying the spatial scale of focus for watershed restoration, and establishing priority areas for restoration. This research recommends solutions to these challenges to implementing EBM in the urban setting. Keywords: Ecosystem-based Management; urban stream restoration; community engagement; environmental stewardship; social-ecological systems iv Dedication For my family. v Acknowledgements I would like to gratefully acknowledge the contributions of all study participants. You provided invaluable insights and you demonstrate a tremendous commitment to improving environmental management practices in British Columbia. Thank you to my supervisors, Sean Markey and Mark Roseland, for your continued support and guidance throughout this project and since before I began my REM degree. Mark, your ideas and insights have always been a tremendous guide for me. Sean, your knowledge, patience, and sense of humour have inspired me and kept me sane. Thank you both for everything. To my research colleagues at the Centre for Sustainable Community Development and in the Water Research Group—thank you for being a continual source of inspiration and knowledge. I have enjoyed collaborating and problem-solving with you all over the years. Thank you for taking the time to edit my work and improve the quality of my research. I would like to extend my gratitude to the REM faculty for providing me with an excellent educational experience. In particular, thank you Wolfgang Haider and Tom Gunton for guiding me throughout REM and into my career. REM would not have been the same without my fellow REM students. Thank you for making REM such an enjoyable experience. Finally, my sincerest love and appreciation goes to my family and friends for your support, encouragement, inspiration, patience, and love. vi Table of Contents Approval .......................................................................................................................... ii Ethics Statement ............................................................................................................ iii Abstract .......................................................................................................................... iv Dedication ....................................................................................................................... v Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................ vi Table of Contents .......................................................................................................... vii List of Tables ................................................................................................................... x List of Figures................................................................................................................. xi List of Acronyms ............................................................................................................ xiii Glossary ........................................................................................................................xiv Chapter 1. Introduction ............................................................................................. 1 1.1. Urban Ecosystem Degradation ............................................................................... 1 1.2. Institutional Factors in the Urban Setting ................................................................ 4 1.3. Focus of this Research ........................................................................................... 5 1.3.1. Ecosystem-based Management in the Urban Setting ................................ 5 1.3.2. Research Purpose and Objectives............................................................. 6 1.4. Report Organization ............................................................................................... 7 Chapter 2. Methods.................................................................................................... 8 2.1. Literature Review .................................................................................................... 8 2.2. Case Study Approach ............................................................................................. 9 2.2.1. Case Selection ........................................................................................ 10 2.2.2. Research Questions ................................................................................ 12 2.3. Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis............................................................... 13 2.3.1. Document Review ................................................................................... 13 2.3.2. Semi-Structured Interviews ...................................................................... 14 2.3.3. Analysis and Coding ................................................................................ 15 2.4. Limitations ............................................................................................................ 16 Chapter 3. Literature Review ................................................................................... 19 3.1. What is Ecosystem-based Management? ............................................................. 19 3.2. What sets EBM apart? .......................................................................................... 27 3.3. Related Concepts ................................................................................................. 31 3.4. Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 33 Chapter 4. Case Description ................................................................................... 34 4.1. Still Creek Watershed ........................................................................................... 35 4.1.1. Present-day Description .......................................................................... 36 4.1.2. Natural Character Predevelopment.......................................................... 36 4.1.3. Development and Management History in Since the 1800’s .................... 37 Protection, Restoration, and Enhancement ..................................................... 41 vii Still Creek Rehabilitation and Enhancement Plan (2002) ............................... 45 From Pipe Dreams to Healthy Streams: A Vision for the Still Creek Watershed; Integrated Stormwater Management Plan (2007) ................. 46 Renfrew Ravine and Renfrew Community Park Master Plan ......................... 48 Stewardship Activities ...................................................................................... 49 4.2. Governance and Stakeholders ............................................................................. 50 Chapter 5. Findings ................................................................................................. 54 5.1. Ecological Condition in the Still Creek Watershed ................................................ 54 Salmon Return ....................................................................................................... 56 Flooding in Still Creek ............................................................................................ 58 5.2. Management and Collaboration in the Still Creek Watershed ............................... 60 5.2.1. Role of Non-government Organizations ................................................... 60 Still