BCWF Watershed Team

Protecting water is central to the B.C. Wildlife Federation’s mission to preserve, restore, and enhance the region’s fish, wildlife, and habitats.

Wetlands, a key part of British Columbia’s ecosystem, offer numerous advantages, including water purification, flood control, climate change mitigation, and providing vital wildlife habitats. However, these crucial ecosystems are rapidly diminishing. In the last century, a significant number of Canadian wetlands, particularly in populated areas, have been lost or degraded. Historically misconceived as “wastelands,” wetlands have often been subjected to destructive practices like draining and diking, leading to significant ecological damage.

Wetlands are not only crucial for over half of North America’s wildlife at some point in their lives but also provide vital ecosystem services, such as flood control and carbon sequestration. Despite their importance, wetlands are vanishing at an alarming rate, three times faster than forests. Since the 1700s, over 85% of the world’s wetlands have disappeared. In British Columbia, there has been a similar decline, with significant losses in areas like the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys and Pacific estuaries. To counter this trend, it’s vital to fight against the rapid loss of wetlands to protect fish, wildlife, and habitats for future generations.

Amidst The Challenges of Climate Change, Focusing on Watershed Conservation Offers a Hopeful Path Forward

For over two decades, the B.C. Wildlife Federation’s Wetlands Education Program has played a pivotal role in encouraging British Columbians to become stewards of wetlands through educational workshops, training, and restoration projects.

The Wetlands Workforce project, a collaboration between the BCWF, NGOs, and Indigenous communities, aims to create healthier, functional wetlands through a unified effort.

Since the beginning of the Wetlands Workforce in 2021, the BCWF has collaborated effectively with First Nations and other partners, helping governments and communities recognize the critical importance of wetlands and watersheds.

Today, the BCWF’s Wetlands Workforce is providing on-the-ground restoration, monitoring, maintenance alongside education to better our wetlands for generations to come.

Specifically, the Wetlands Workforce deploys work-pods across British Columbia aiming to improve riparian area habitat, monitor the effectiveness of wetland restoration sites, advance collaborative restoration projects with First Nations and communities, provide employment opportunities, and to support Province-wide monitoring initiatives that will improve wetland management.

Through this work, we value a deep commitment to First Nations collaboration, knowledge sharing, education, and community engagement to create lasting positive impacts on ecosystems and communities across B.C. Our dedication to these principles guides every aspect of our work, from fostering meaningful partnerships with indigenous and local groups to implementing cutting-edge conservation strategies.

Learn More About BCWF’s Wetlands Workforce