B.C. Wildlife Federation

Big thanks to Driving Force for powering our team with dependable rental trucks this year! Have you spotted one of our trucks around the province? With the support of Driving Force’s exceptional rates, we’ve been able to tackle incredible watershed conservation projects across British Columbia. @driving_force_vehicles #drivingforce #bcwf #bcconservation

Join us for the upcoming Coastal Douglas-fir & Associated Ecosystems Conservation Partnership webinar, Protecting Freshwater and Coastal Wetlands, featuring insightful presentations by BCWF experts and partners! Speakers: Neil Fletcher, Director of Conservation Stewardship, B.C. Wildlife Federation Topic: Slow it, Sink it, Spread it: The 10,000 Wetlands Initiative and early field notes on Beaver Dam Analogues in B.C. Daniel Stewart, R.P.Bio, Wetland Ecologist, Asarum Ecological & Ducks Unlimited Canada Topic: Boundary Bay Wood Debris Removal Project: Overview and Lessons Learned Kyla Rushton, Wetland Assessment and Field Coordinator, B.C. Wildlife Federation Topic: The Many Faces of a Wetland: The Wetland Ecosystem Services Protocol and how it will transform how we conserve and protect them 🗓 Tuesday, November 19, 2024, 10am – 11:30am (PST) Register for free at www.cdfcp.ca/webinars/. #bcwf #cdfcp #wetlandconservation #ecosystemrestoration #bcconservation

Part 2 of 3: The Benthic Barrier Trial Can a benthic barrier stop the spread of invasive reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea)? Dr. Catherine Tarasoff is leading an innovative trial at the Tranquille Wildlife Management Area in Kamloops, B.C., using benthic barriers to combat the spread of this aggressive species and restore wetland health. Learn more about what benthic barriers are and how they work to protect sensitive ecosystems from reed canarygrass on the BCWF Bog Blog. 🌿 https://lnkd.in/g5fCRQDs. @naturekamloops @agrowest_consulting #reedcanarygrass #invasivespecies #wetlandrestoration #benthicbarrier

Wildfires are a fact of life in Canada, but what is the effect on our ecology and wildlife, and how should we approach this issue from a conservation perspective? Paul Hessburg, PhD, examines Fire Ecology and the relationship between fire, hydrology, and wildlife restoration. https://lnkd.in/gFyxPB_P

con·cept — a new short film by Norman Allard, showcasing the sheer magnitude of the Yaqan Nukiy wetland restoration project. The B.C. Wildlife Federation is proud to support the Yaqan Nukiy wetland restoration project in Creston, B.C., where we’re working alongside Yaqan Nukiy (Lower Kootenay Band) to restore 517 acres of wetland habitat on traditional Ktunaxa territory. Swipe to see still shots from Norman Jr. Allard's new video. As the Community Planner for Yaqan Nukiy, Norman has been dedicated to this project since 2018, and his imagery brings the landscape to life. Visit his YouTube channel, https://lnkd.in/gtDpwpmQ to see this video and others that highlight the ongoing restoration efforts. As an Indigenous-led restoration initiative, this project plays a vital role in advancing ecological healing through Indigenous knowledge, revitalizing wetland ecosystems, creating essential habitat for countless species, and supporting the land’s natural resilience. "Our Indigenous ways of thinking often parallel non-Indigenous perspectives, but the way we understand things can differ. The concept of how we interact with the natural world is one of those examples," says Allard. "To convey perceptions that are new, I often wonder about the best way to explain something as complex as re-naturalizing degraded habitat." #wetlandrestoration #yaqannukiy #indigenousconservation #crestonbc #bcwildlifefederation #ktunaxa #habitatrestoration #landresilience #conservationefforts

Violin Lake project in Trail aims to balance community needs with environmental protection! 🌿 From My Kootenay Now: The City of Trail has transformed the historic Violin Lake watershed into a new ecological asset, focusing on local wildlife preservation and creating future opportunities for the community. The nearly completed $2.14-million Violin Lake and Cambridge Dam Ecosystem and Flood Mitigation Project involved the decommissioning of the Cambridge Creek Reservoir and Violin Lake dams. The City of Trail worked in partnership with the British Columbia Wildlife Federation (BCWF) to prepare a Final Design Report for removal of the dams. Given the complexity of the job, the City also brought in experts Robin Annschild of Rewilding Water & Earth and the BCWF’s Thomas R. Biebighauser for project design, management and construction oversight. “We worked closely with biologists and project managers to ensure the restoration was as gentle as possible on the environment,” shared City of Trail’s Senior Engineering Technician John Howes. “Our goal was to create a natural, functional ecosystem benefiting both wildlife and the community.” Note: While Violin Lake has historically been a popular spot for locals, it’s currently closed to the public for recreational use, as access requires crossing private property. Read more about the successes of this project at https://bit.ly/3YIrVsJ. 📷: Violin Lake, photo supplied by City of Trail #trailbc #cityoftrail #damdecomissioning #habitatrestoration #habitatconservation #bcwf

Last weekend, we wrapped up Phase 2 of the nʔaʕx̌ʷt (Ginty’s Pond) restoration project with a successful planting event! Over two days, our team planted 1,246 native plants in 1-gallon and 2-gallon pots, helping to restore the riparian area surrounding the wetlands we dug out earlier this season. Why are riparian areas so essential to restored wetlands? 🌱 These zones filter pollutants, control erosion, and provide critical habitat for wildlife. The vegetation stabilizes soil, prevents sedimentation, and supports biodiversity. As well, shade from riparian plants regulates water temperature for aquatic species, while their ability to absorb floodwaters enhances resilience during high flows. Riparian zones also contribute to carbon storage, supporting the long-term health of the ecosystem. A BIG limləmt (thank you) to the Lower Similkameen Indian Band (LSIB), Southern Interior Land Trust (SILT), Province of B.C. (Ministry of Water, Lands & Resource Stewardship), and Rewilding Water and Earth Inc. for their dedicated collaboration in restoring nʔaʕx̌ʷt. We also extend our gratitude to the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan | Similkameen and the Watershed Security Fund for their support in making this project possible! #wetlandrestoration #conservation #watershedresilience #cawstonbc

Fall is here, and so is fall fungi! Did you know? Fungi play an essential role in wetland ecosystems. These often-overlooked mushrooms form partnerships with plants, improve soil fertility, and help filter pollutants from water! In our latest BCWF Bog Blog post, we share insights from our resident “fun guy,” amateur mycologist, Todd Huang on the critical functions of wetland fungi and the challenges facing mycology—the study of mushrooms—including limited funding and public awareness. Learn how you can support mycology research and conservation efforts to benefit these vital contributors to B.C.’s ecosystems. 🌱 Read the blog at https://lnkd.in/g4RnwB6E.

Under last week’s steady rain, the BCWF Watershed Team planted native plants at our wetland restoration site on private land on Pender Island. These new plantings are key to transforming this former farm field into a climate-resilient ecosystem, supporting ecological health for generations to come! Restoration at this site included a permanent wetland pool to retain water as well as shallow, seasonal pools for added habitat diversity. The organic material we excavated was spread along the perimeter, creating a rich bed for native wetland and riparian plants to thrive. Together with the owners of this site, we’re building a landscape that will support wildlife like birds, bats, and amphibians year-round! #wetlandrestoration #wildlifeconservation #nativeplants #penderisland #bcwf #climateresilience

The B.C. Wildlife Federation and Slocan River Streamkeepers are currently partnering on phase two of the wetland restoration project on private land. In this video, Gregoire Lamoureux, Slocan River Streamkeepers Project Coordinator, explains the project! Stay tuned for more updates as the work continues. Thank you to the Regional District of Central Kootenay Conservation Fund and the Watershed Security Fund for supporting this work! #bcwildlifefederation #slocanriver #wetlandrestoration #conservation #streamkeepers #habitatrestoration