The South Coast is home to numerous at-risk plants and ecological communities.
The Program's focus is to increase responsible, sustainable, and effective stewardship to help protect these species and communities.
Phantom Orchid Stewardship
Rare and Unique Orchid
The phantom orchid (Cephalanthera austiniae) is one of the rarest orchids in Canada, listed as endangered under the federal Species at Risk Act.
Its ghostly appearance is from its lack of chlorophyll, meaning it cannot photosynthesize like most plants. It survives through an unusual three-way symbiotic relationship with specific fungi and an unidentified tree species, allowing most of the plant to remain hidden underground.
The orchid is notoriously unpredictable. Its blooming varies from year to year depending on subtle changes in its environment.
Seeking the Phantom
The SCCP has been surveying for these rare plants. The more we learn about where they are, the better we can help protect them. We are seeking your sightings!
Phantom orchids bloom in the Fraser Valley, with the only other Canadian locations being southeastern Vancouver Island, and the southern Gulf Islands. They are typically around found in low-elevation shaded forests with sparse ground cover.
The best time of year to search for phantom orchids is from May through July when the plant is in bloom. Do not confuse them with the similar-looking ghost pipe (Monotropa uniflora).
Send your sightings through the Fraser Valley Conservancy's Nature Inquiry Form.
Learn More
Download the new phantom orchid brochure, created by the SCCP and the Fraser Valley Conservancy.
Find more resources on the SCCP's phantom orchid webpage.
View the detailed information on the federal government's Phantom Orchid Species at Risk Registry webpage. This page includes a link to the Recovery Strategy.
Coastal Sand Ecosystems Stewardship
Scattered across the coastal areas of the South Coast are rare sand ecosystems. They support at-risk plant ecological communities, including large-headed sedge and dune wildrye-beach pea. Since 2012, the SCCP has undertaken various stewardship activities to help protect these unique areas.
The SCCP's current focus is supporting BC Parks in stewarding the Coastal Sand Ecosystems of Buccaneer Bay Provincial Park, Thormanby Island on the Sunshine Coast.
Program Supporters
Thank you to our funders and supporters of this program.
