The Alaksen Area (accessed via Westham Island Road to Robertson Road, Westham Island) is the delta of the Fraser River, as it enters the Strait of Georgia. the Area comprises mostly cultivated farmland, but also includes freshwater and brackish tidal marsh wetlands, some woodland and shore flats. In addition to the cultivated crops, the site is vegetated by various grasses in the farmland; cattails, Lyngbye’s sedge, and bulrushes in the intertidal zone; and Red alder, willows and Black cottonwood, along with snowberry, salmonberry, and blackberries in the wooded areas. (Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaksen_National_Wildlife_Area )

The Alaksen National Wildlife Area provides a valuable wildlife area very close to the urban centre of Metro Vancouver, allowing many educational opportunities. The cropland frequently floods in the winter and occasionally freezes over for short periods. Varied seasonal management practices provide valuable habitat to wintering waterfowl & other species of wildlife. Over forty species of waterfowl winter in the area, the most common being Canada goose, mallard, American widgeon, and lesser snow goose. Also abundant are raptors, including bald eagle, barn owl, and several species of falcon. (Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaksen_National_Wildlife_Area )