• work with each watershed community to record and define their vision and conservation values,
• query a database to show areas with these community identified values,
• encourage community involvement in stewardship activities;
• and promote use of conservation tools by individual land owners.

Abbotsford's Natural & Cultural Legacy

Bounded on the north by the Fraser River, and encompassing portions of the fertile Matsqui Prairie, imposing Sumas Mountain, historic village of Clayburn and the fast-growing city of Abbotsford, the Clayburn Creek watershed, land drained by Clayburn Creek and its tributaries, is incredibly diverse in human and natural history.

Our watersheds are shaped by the forces of nature: glaciers, water and wind
along with the efforts of humans who lived here. The first human inhabitants
were the Sto:lo, who fished the Fraser River and its productive streams,
harvested the wild hay of the prairie and hunted for game and waterfowl in the area surrounding Sumas Lake.

The Fraser River Gold Rush in the mid-1800s ushered in an era of European settlement, bolstered by the construction of a spur line of the CPR in 1891 between what is now Mission and Sumas, Washington USA. Among the first settlers were the MacLure family who purchased some of the earliest lots available in Abbotsford, established the Vancouver Fireclay Company to take advantage of the good quality clay for brick-making on Sumas Mountain, and constructed the first company town in B.C. at Clayburn to house workers. At about the same time the Trethewey family recognized the value of the timber in the area , and incorporated the Abbotsford Lumber Company, which included a mill near the CPR station in Abbotsford and one at Mill Lake.

Although much of the watershed has been altered from its original forested
landscape, natural areas remain and often found with fetures of cultural and
historic value all of which are worthy of protection. Please join the Abbotsford Land Trust Society in an initiative to help each community identify and preserve the area's historic, cultural and natural heritage for years to come.

The Clayburn Watershed

We believe that careful land stewardship will help maintain the Clayburn Creek watershed's outstanding natural areas, ecosystem functions, and historic features including:

Incredible Biodiversity

The forested slopes, sandstone rock faces, dry bluffs, creeks and riparian zones of Sumas Mountain are home to hundreds of plant, bird and animal species. Several species at risk such as mountain beaver, Pacific water shrew, phantom orchid, and silver hair moss, a species found nowhere else in Canada, have been recorded within or adjacent to the Clayburn watershed. Its also home to unique second growth decidious forests.

Unique Land Forms

Waterfalls, springs and rock bluffs on Sumas Mountain are unique natural attractions that are uncommon in Abbotsford and highly valued by area residents.

Ecological Processes

Wetlands such as Willband Creek detention ponds and adjacent unprotected wetlands regulate water flows, filter stormwater pollutants, and provide habitat for waterfowl, songbirds, raptors and a number of small mammals.

Healthy Riparian Zones adjacent to the Fraser River and tributary streams also filter water-borne pollutants, provide habitat for a multitude of species, and supply cooling shade to watercourses for fish such as salmon and trout, that require cold water.

Forested Slopes on Sumas Mountain slow water movement and thus decrease erosion, moderate climate, remove pollutants from the air and also provide habitat, especially for larger animals, that have been displaced from more developed areas.

Historic Attractions

There is a need to locate, learn about and protect cultural features of importance to the Sto:lo. Maintaining pioneer era buildings such as homes, schools, stores and churches, especially in the Clayburn area, attracts visitors and provides a sense of place for residents.

Scenic Vistas

This scenically diverse area has green pastures, and fields of blueberries and other specialty crops, with densely wooded Sumas Mountian in the background. Views of the Matsqui and Sumas Prairies from McKee Peak are spectacular. The Clayburn watershed is a pleasant attractive place for enjoying the outdoors.