BCWF Watershed Team

Celebrating Birch Matkowski’s R.P.Bio 

We’re proud to share that Birch Matkowski, a Jr. Restoration Biologist with the B.C. Wildlife Federation, recently earned her Registered Professional Biologist (R.P.Bio) designation. This is a major milestone in her career and a reflection of her dedication to conservation and restoration work across the province. 

Birch joined our team in 2022 as a Wetlands Workforce Field Technician and has since become a core part of our Watershed Team. In 2024, she took on a central role with the 10,000 Wetlands project, working as an active crew member on low-tech, process-based restoration. This approach uses simple, natural materials—like wood and vegetation—to mimic the way healthy streams and wetlands function, helping to slow water, trap sediment, recharge groundwater, and create habitat. By working with natural processes instead of against them, these techniques support long-term recovery with minimal intervention. Birch was hands-on in the construction of many of the 71 Beaver Dam Analogues (BDAs) our team built across B.C. last year. 

On top of being a dedicated “human beaver”, Birch recently worked alongside the Slocan River Streamkeepers to help oversee restoration efforts at Crooked Horn Farm in her hometown of Winlaw, B.C. This project transformed a section of farmland into a thriving wetland. In 2024, the team restored 4,311 m² of riparian area and added three new pools, enhancing biodiversity and increasing the land’s ability to hold water.  

Birch also contributes to important data collection through the Wetland Ecosystem Services Protocol (WESP) and the Canadian National Wetland Inventory (CNWI). Additionally, she serves as the technical editor for the upcoming print version (Version 3) of the Wetland Plants of B.C. field guide, scheduled for release in 2025. 

“The B.C. Wildlife Federation accomplishes a ton of great work in the realm of conservation, and believe it or not, behind each initiative is a real live human being with drive to make a difference,” shared Neil Fletcher, BCWF’s Director of Conservation Stewardship. “Our organization is made up of individuals, and they are the foundation of every project – big or small.” 

Since 2022, 11 members of the BCWF Watershed Team have pursued professional designations, with six achieving theirs to date. Others have continued their restoration work with partner organizations across the province, helping to build local capacity where it’s needed most. 

Alongside Birch’s achievement, we are also proud that 85 percent of our Watershed Team identifies as women—a remarkable statistic in the conservation field.  

It is inspiring to see more women entering restoration careers, and we remain committed to fostering training, mentorship, and leadership opportunities for everyone on our team. 

“If you want to see big changes in the world, you need to invest in the people that show up with their sleeves rolled up and ready to make a change,” added Neil. “Gaining experience, and providing opportunity for growth is so important.” 
 
Much of this work has been made possible through support from the  Province of B.C.’s Watershed Security Fund.  

Sustained investment through the Watershed Security Fund is essential to continue building this network of professionals and ensuring B.C.’s watersheds are supported by local, long-term expertise.

Birch joined our team back in 2022, and we’re so proud to see her obtain her professional designation as an Registered Professional Biologist. Congratulations Birch,  I can’t wait to see what you accomplish next — Neil