After years of planning, work is finally underway to restore Ginty’s Pond to an open-water ecosystem. An essential wetland habitat in B.C.’s Interior, conservation efforts at this wetland will protect several federally listed species at risk, such as the Yellow-breasted Chat, Western Screech Owl, Interior Snakes, Great Basin Spadefoot, and Western Painted Turtles.
Although this unique oxbow wetland was visibly cut off the Similkameen River due to diking, it was still connected to the river through the water table underground. Restoration efforts on this site will support B.C.’s native species and biodiversity and provide opportunities for members of the community to work together on future enhancements.
“Many locals still remember years ago skating on the frozen pond in the winter and kayaking during the summer,” said Cassie Friesen, Wetlands Workforce Field Technician. “This project will bring back those opportunities, allowing the community to get back into nature.”
In September, Southern Interior Land Trust worked in collaboration with the Lower Similkameen Indian Band, Nature Trust of BC, B.C. Wildlife Federation’s Wetlands Workforce, and the Province of British Columbia to deepen and restore 1.2 hectares of open water wetland habitat and 0.5 hectares of new riparian woodland-shrub habitat.
In addition, collaborators and volunteers pursued ongoing maintenance and monitoring efforts to support this important habitat. Students from Keremeos Secondary School visited in September to disperse native milkweed seeds and add small woody debris to the site. In October, 40 Grade 8 students from Similkameen Elementary Secondary School installed 150 native plants. An additional 650 plants were installed by project collaborators.
A key facet of Ginty’s Pond enhancement focused on controlling cattail encroachment. Since oxbows like Ginty’s Pond are cut off from flowing water, cattails increase the rate of decomposition within this wetland and overtake the open water. At this site specifically, the cattail monoculture has taken over 90 per cent of the open water.
“Cattail marshes can be beneficial ecosystems on the landscape, but oxbow wetlands like Ginty’s Pond are few and far between,” said Jessie Spence, Wetlands Workforce Field Crew Supervisor. “There is a lot of value in restoring the pond, opening it back up to create a shallow open water ecosystem. This creates diversity in both the plant community and habitat for local wildlife.”
Restoring Ginty’s Pond is an ongoing effort that will continue well into the years ahead. Planned monitoring and maintenance includes removing invasive plants in the spring before they flower and seed, installing a wildlife camera and hydro pole, and monitoring wildlife use, such as noting egg masses of Columbia Spotted Frogs and observing the Western Painted Turtle nesting area.
This project was undertaken with financial support from the Real Estate Foundation of BC and the Environment and Climate Change Canada.
This story, by Dominique Bowden (Conservation Stewardship Communications Coordinator), first appeared in the MAR/APR 2023 issue of BC Outdoors Magazine in our member exclusive insert. Become a BCWF member today to get our news delivered directly to your mail box at bcwf.bc.ca/membership.
BCWF Watershed Team 
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