Environmental Changes Caused By Colonization in Stanley Park

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   Throughout the 20th century, the board of Stanley Park made many changes to the environment. For example, in 1911, grey squirrels were purchased from an American company for the sake of adding to the existing native Douglas squirrels at Stanley Park; as well, in the 1930s non-native mute swans were presented into the park. At the time, the reduction of animals, such as crows and so-called 'pests', were also seen as attempts to improve the park environment. Therefore, from 1910 through 1961, members of the Vancouver Gun Club were invited to shoot crows at the park. On the other hand, ponds were constructed in an effort to support animals, such as ducks and swans, which the board did not find unpleasant and predatory, unlike crows. 

 Naturally, throughout this time, resources such as fish and the nearby waters were also affected. Beaver Lake, named in 1907 due to the beavers spotted at the location, became the place which the Vancouver Angling Club aimed to turn into a profitable fishing location in 1916. Even with a hatchery created, and the lake stocked with trout and salmon, these plans were deserted in 1946.

Forests in Stanley Park  ~1898
   Aside from the change of animals in the area, the alteration of the land's natural characteristics, which were considered messy, also took place. For instance, trees of the park were replaced; specifically hemlock and spruce were removed, and substituted by Douglas fir due to its appearance and ability to better prevent insect infestations. “As a result the treeline of the park today is a lot puffier and smoother than it was in the 19th century,” states author Sean Kheraj in "An Unnatural History of Stanley Park" by The Tyee. In terms of waters, Beaver Lake had been through geological changes, changing from a freshwater pond to a more marsh-like ecosystem, which was assisted by native, and non-native, water lilies that were able to cover roughly 50% of the lake during the mid-1980s. This natural process had also involved beavers, as they played a role in clearing lilies from the water. Eventually, Beaver Lake shrunk from 6.7 hectares in 1938 to 3.9 hectares in 1997.

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