About 80 students from Abbotsford Christian School were out on Thursday planting native species in Willband Creek Park as part of revitalization efforts to curb invasive species and increase waterfowl habitat.
The park, located at 34900 Bateman Road off of Highway 11, is a popular recreation area in Abbotsford.
The Grade 8 students planted 580 native trees and shrubs as part of a program by the Fraser Valley Watersheds Coalition in partnership with the Fraser Valley Conservancy, Abbotsford Mission Nature Club and the city of Abbotsford.
Willband Creek Park hosts trails that are built around storm water detention ponds. The area has a diverse waterfowl population, various species of migratory birds and other wildlife. But canary grass and Himalayan blackberry grow throughout the park, both of which are invasive plants that choke out native vegetation and decrease habitats for waterfowl.