The Ecological History of Point Grey, Vancouver

Prior to European contact, Point Grey (now a part of Vancouver, British Columbia) was home to the Musqueam First Nation, whose presence in the region extends from time immemorial. Indigenous Peoples relied on the diverse ecosystems of the area for sustenance, harvesting fish, shellfish, and marine mammals from the surrounding waters, as well as hunting deer and gathering plants for food and medicine. The estuaries, forests, and intertidal zones provided an abundance of resources, and Musqueam knowledge systems included sophisticated land and water management practices, such as controlled burns to enhance plant growth and selective fishing techniques to sustain local populations (Musqueam Indian Band, 2025).

Historically, Point Grey supported a diversity of wildlife. Before urban development, the region was home to black bears, cougars, wolves, and a variety of bird species, including bald eagles and great blue herons. Marine life in the adjacent waters of the Salish Sea included orcas, sea otters, and vast salmon populations that were integral to both Indigenous cultures and local ecosystems (Sobocinski, 2021).

Today, much of Point Grey’s wildlife has been displaced by urbanization, but remnants of biodiversity persist. Some species have been lost from Point Grey like Trowbridge’s shrew last observed in 1951 and Pacific water shrew in 1973 (iMap BC, 2025). Western screech owl is a species at risk last seen in Point Grey in 1998 (iMap BC, 2025). Grey wolves and cougars disappeared before the 20^th century. The last Roosevelt elk was hunted in the 1890s and the last black-tailed deer population disappeared from Pacific Spirit Regional Park in the 1980s (Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, 2016). Pacific Spirit Regional Park, which borders the University of British Columbia (UBC), provides some of the last remaining habitat for wildlife like coyotes, raccoons, and owls, though challenges such as habitat fragmentation and pollution remain.

European exploration of the Point Grey area began in 1792 with the arrival of British naval officer George Vancouver. By the mid-19th century, logging operations had commenced, dramatically altering the landscape. The coastal forests of western red cedar, Douglas fir, and Sitka spruce were heavily logged to support Vancouver’s rapid expansion and the timber industry. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw increased settlement, with farmland and small fishing communities replacing forested lands. The construction of UBC (established in 1908 and officially opened in 1915) further altered the region’s ecological landscape, leading to road building, land clearing, and new residential developments (Historical Thinking Project, 2025).

As with many urbanized areas, Point Grey has experienced the introduction of invasive species that threaten native biodiversity. English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, and Japanese knotweed have aggressively spread throughout the region, outcompeting native plant species and reducing habitat availability for local wildlife (Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, 2016). These can be seen in my neighbours’ yards and along coastal walkways boarding the ocean.

Aquatic ecosystems have also been affected. The introduction of non-native European green crabs poses a threat to native shellfish populations (Jamieson et al., 2007), while urban runoff contributes to water pollution, impacting the health of local fish species (BC Ministry of Environment, 2019). Environmental degradation from urbanization has also led to detrimental changes in hydrology for aquatic life and riparian habitat (Thompson, 1998).

Throughout the 20th century, Point Grey saw extensive urbanization, with residential areas expanding to accommodate Vancouver’s growing population. Road networks, commercial establishments, and UBC’s expansion led to further habitat loss. However, green spaces like Pacific Spirit Regional Park and the UBC Botanical Garden were preserved to mitigate ecological damage. Urbanization has led to challenges such as stormwater runoff, erosion, and loss of wetlands. However, the implementation of sustainable building practices, green roofs, and improved stormwater management systems in recent years have helped to mitigate some of these environmental pressures (Metro Vancouver, 2023).

Recognizing the importance of environmental conservation, several initiatives have been undertaken to restore and protect the ecological integrity of Point Grey. Camosun Bog Restoration is a longstanding project focused on restoring the Camosun Bog, a valuable wetland ecosystem. Musqueam Creek Enhancement Project aims to restore Musqueam Creek to its natural flow and improve fish and wildlife habitat. Other restoration groups focus on invasive species removal, particularly in Pacific Spirit Regional Park. I have also noticed community gardens throughout Point Grey to promote sustainable food production and provide habitat for pollinators. The City of Vancouver and UBC have developed stormwater retention ponds and green infrastructure to reduce erosion of cliffs in Point Grey, runoff during storms, and improve water quality. These systems help filter pollutants before they enter local waterways (UBC Sustainability, 2027).

The ecological history of Point Grey, Vancouver, shows the relationship between human settlement and the natural environment. From its pre-contact use by the Musqueam First Nation to contemporary conservation efforts, the region has undergone significant ecological transformations that can be seen while walking the streets. Although challenges such as habitat loss, invasive species, and urbanization persist, ongoing stewardship initiatives demonstrate a commitment to restoring and preserving what’s left of the area’s ecological integrity for future generations.

References

BC Ministry of Environment. (2019). Invasive species in British Columbia: Ecological impacts and management strategies. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/air-land-water/water/waterquality/water-quality-reference-documents/clean_waterit_starts_with_you_-_urban_runoff.pdf

Historical Thinking Project. (2025, March 13). Historical thinking concepts. https://historicalthinking.ca

Jamieson, G. S., Grosholz, E. D., Armstrong, D. A., & Elner, R. W. (1998). Potential ecological implications from the introduction of the European green crab, Carcinus maenas (Linnaeus), to British Columbia, Canada, and Washington, USA. Journal of Natural History, 32(10–11), 1587–1598.

Metro Vancouver. (2023). A pathway to storing carbon and building a resilient future with nature and ecosystems in Metro Vancouver. https://metrovancouver.org/services/air-quality-climate-action/Documents/climate-2050-nature-and-ecosystems-road-map.pdf

Morin, J., Evans, A. B., & Efford, M. (2023). The rise of Vancouver and the collapse of forage fish: A story of urbanization and the destruction of an aquatic ecosystem on the Salish Sea (1885–1920 CE). Human Ecology, 51(2), 303–322.

Musqueam Indian Band. (2025). Musqueam: A living culture. https://www.musqueam.bc.ca/our-story/

Sobocinski, K. L. (2021). The state of the Salish Sea.

Thompson, A. K. (1998). Restoring ourselves to nature: Ethics and ecology in an urban watershed (Doctoral dissertation, University of British Columbia).

UBC Sustainability. (2017). Stormwater management plan. https://planning.ubc.ca/sustainability/sustainability-action-plans/integrated-stormwater-management-plan

Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. (2016). Biodiversity strategy. Vancouver, BC. https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/biodiversity-strategy.pdf