Community Ecosystem Restoration (CERI) Projects
ERA's project work in communities and cities is well represented by the Community Ecosystem Restoration Initiative (CERI). CERI was developed to facilitate ethical companies, organizations and individuals who wish to voluntarily support local governments in restoring degraded ecosystems, and at the same time, help combat climate change.
CERI is directing millions of dollars in restoration benefits to communities at virtually zero cost to the taxpayer. This includes the removal and storage of vast tonnages of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and the provision of a range of ecosystem benefits - now and for many generations to come.
ERA works with local governments to identify suitable restoration sites, prepare Carbon Sequestration Reports, develop prescriptions, secure tree stock, carry out the implementation including the removal of invasive species, and provide monitoring and maintenance, with no additional burden to the taxpayers.
ERA is in various stages of developing and implementing CERI projects in a number of lower mainland sites.
Maple Ridge
For the past two years ERA has been working with the District of Maple Ridge - the first municipality to join the CERI program. The program was launched in September 2006, on Rivers Day. Since that time more than 60,000 trees have been planted. Restoration requiring a total of over 260,000 trees will complete implementation of the project in this community.
Conservation greenbelts, dedicated parklands, as well as municipal parks are currently being restored.
ERA crews have been active in community parks throughout Maple Ridge, including:
- Allco Park
- Horseman Park
- Selvey Park
- Ruskin Park
Mission
The Modular Methodologies, or the science behind our project, are currently under development for the District of Mission. The "biometrics"... that is tree measuring to calculate carbon sequestration potential in Mission, has recently been completed. The project will target the reforestation and beautification of many public parks, as well as restoring wildlife habitat and other benefits to municipal lands surrounding such areas as Stave Lake and beyond. ERA plans to be operational in the District of Mission in 2008.
Metro Vancouver
Back when Metro Vancouver was the GVRD, ERA began talks with the Parks board. Metro Vancouver decided to begin with a pilot project targeting 5 Metro Vancouver Parks: Campbell Valley Regional Park, Brae Island Regional Park, Aldergove Lake Regional Park and Matsqui Trail Regional Park. Planting is projected to begin in the Spring of 2008. These parks all fall within Township of Langley geographical boundaries aside from Matsqui Trail which is located along the Fraser River in Abbotsford.
City of Langley
As the second city to join the CERI program, ERA plans to be operational in the City of Langley in the Spring of 2008. This opportunity is unique in that the project scope is entirely within City limits. The beautification of these urban forests will immediately be appreciated by the many park visitors from the surrounding neighborhoods.
Township of Langley
In 2007 ERA won the bid for the development of degraded municipal lands within the Township of Langley (ToL). The ToL project will be implemented with similar timeframes as both the City of Langley and Metro Vancouver as all are in close proximity.
A number of other projects in the Lower Mainland are in the assessment and developmental stage, including an island in the Fraser River that requires restoration work. As further CERI projects reach development phase, they will be reported on in detail.
For more information, view the Four Steps to Becoming EcoNeutral brochure in PDF Format.
Read the Frequently Asked Questions page.