BCWF Watershed Team

Held in partnership with the Peachland Watershed Protection Alliance, the first workshop began in the charming “Little Schoolhouse” before proceeding to the field. Due to this year’s unusually rapid snowmelt, many of the roads leading to Peachland’s wetlands were washed out and unsafe. Therefore, participants spent the outdoor portion of the workshop classifying and mapping the Rose Valley Regional Park Wetland in West Kelowna. This wetland, directly adjacent to an elementary school, was brimming with bird life: an Osprey hunted for fish and Yellow-Headed Blackbirds flittered among the vegetation while the elusive Pied-Billed Grebe and American Coot could be heard in the distance. Once the backroad conditions improve, the Protection Alliance plans to map wetlands across the watershed, which are believed to have a long history of mismanagement.

The Salmo Map our Marshes workshop was instigated through a partnership with the Salmo Valley Seniors ATV Club, which has the motto “Share, Protect, Enjoy.” Though a few less-ecologically-minded recreationists have created a bad reputation for ATV users, many are respectful lovers of nature. In fact, ATV users can be powerful allies in wetland conservation. This was the wettest Map our Marshes workshop to date. Rising waters flooded many wetlands and constant rain ensured that not an inch of soil remained dry. Fortunately, intact wetland habitat was found nearby at Erie Lake. Though invasive Reed Canary Grass was present, it had not completely dominated the Marsh Cinquefoil, Cattail, and Pond Lily in the marsh/shallow open water complex. Participants also toured the KP Park Wetland, which BCWF restored at the 2013 Wetlands Institute. Future collaboration with the Salmo Valley Seniors ATV Club will focus on recording small, previously unmapped wetlands in the area.