Lazo Marsh-North East Comox Wildlife Management Area

Date Designated: April 6, 2001

Purpose: Conservation of habitat for a diverse population of fish, wildlife and indigenous flora and fauna.

Size: 127 hectares

Region: West Coast

Nature and culture

Fish and Wildlife: Thousands of waterfowl and other birds from more than 140 species reside permanently or winter in the WMA, including Great Horned Owl fledglings, ducks, geese and Trumpeter Swans. Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Coho Salmon fry and Stickleback frequent the waters.

Physiography, Climate and Vegetation: The WMA contains wetlands, riparian areas and sand dunes along with upland forests supporting a number of rare or threatened plants. Lazo Marsh is a low depression with a thin layer of organic soils over marine clays. Due to the shallow depths in the marsh, succession rates are high, and Bullrush and Salix species are becoming dominant in the south area. 

Planning and management

Information on management direction and possible restrictions on visitor activities are available from the Conservation Lands regional contacts.

Management Partners:

• The Nature Trust of BC
• Ducks Unlimited Canada
• Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation
• Canada Wildlife Service-Environment and Climate Change Canada
• Comox Valley Regional District
• Strathcona Regional District
• Town of Comox
• Comox Town Residents Association
• Friends of Comox-Lazo Forest Reserve
• Lazo Marsh-Northeast Comox Management Committee