Not all restoration happens in parks or protected areas. Increasingly, it’s private landowners who hold the key to restoring important habitats. On South Pender Island, one such restoration project has transformed a former soggy grazed field into an emerging wetland, showing how individual stewardship can help reverse habitat loss and support species at risk.
In the Capital Regional District (CRD) on Vancouver Island about 70% of historic wetlands have been drained and destroyed according to the Victoria Natural History Society. This loss is significant, given the importance of wetlands for water storage, pollution filtration, recharging of groundwater, and providing crucial habitat for bats, birds, amphibians, insects and other wildlife.
Water retention on the Gulf Islands is of particular importance due to water scarcity, and restoring wetlands offers a nature-based solution. By holding water longer into the dry season, restored wetlands help communities build resilience to drought while also supporting habitat for many species including some species at risk.
The South Pender site showed all the signs of a historic wetland: seasonally saturated soils, moisture-loving plants like small-flowered bulrush and slough sedge, and poor drainage that limited its agricultural potential making it an ideal candidate for restoration.
A Team Effort
The success of any restoration projects relies on partnerships between keen landowners, supportive neighbors, and various skilled contractors. Landowners Christian Engelstoft and Faye Mogensen were involved from the start, whether growing native plants to contribute to the site or conducting species surveys. Christian, a semi-retired wildlife biologist, not only helped guide restoration design and construction but continues to monitor the site for birds, bats, amphibians, reptiles, and other wildlife, contributing data to our reported lists of inhabitants of the new wetland (including the occasional sighting of bald eagle and geese).
The restoration was co-led by Becky Dodge (Restoration Practitioner, BCWF) and contractor Keith Erickson (Erickson Environmental), whose experience helped navigate the complexity of restoring a wetland with heavy machinery. The project was ultimately brought to life by the skilled local crew from Big Dig Em’ Excavating, who carried out the design with care and precision.
“Working on this project has been meaningful and also a great learning opportunity,” said Dodge, “Wetland restoration is messy work, literally and figuratively, but it’s also hopeful. It’s a chance to reverse some of the damage that has been done to natural systems and give species-at-risk a fighting chance.”
From Field to Wildlife Refuge
Over the course of a week, two 200-series excavators reshaped 2,600 m2 of wetland and riparian habitat. To support water retention and mimic natural processes, the crew created a core trench filled and compacted with clay to redirect drainage, and “rough and loosen” techniques that sculpt soil into mounds and hollows to create varied topography and habitat. Excessive, excavated clay and soil was deposited on a part of the field to improve drainage and create higher ground for future farming.
To further improve habitat complexity, crews added root wads and woody debris to provide amphibian and bird habitat, planted hundreds of native wetland species, including sedges, shrubs, and trees and installed protective fencing to keep deer at bay. Bat boxes were recently installed to promote roosting and foraging for the little brown myotis and other bats.
Species at risk were at the heart of this project, with a focus on the following species:
- Northern red-legged frog (Rana aurora) – Special Concern under SARA, Red-listed in B.C.
- Little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus) – Endangered under SARA, Blue-listed in B.C.
- Barn owl (Tyto alba) – Special Concern under SARA, Blue-listed in B.C.
Wildlife is already taking advantage of the new wetland. Hundreds of Pacific Tree Frog egg masses were observed this spring in the newly formed basins—an early indicator of restored hydrology and habitat complexity. Other species using the site include Rough-skinned Newts, Common Garter Snakes, Belted Kingfishers, Wilson’s Snipes, Hooded Mergansers, and three species of nesting swallows. The ever-present Black-tailed Deer also frequent the area.
“One of the most rewarding outcomes so far has been observing species already utilizing the space,” said Rebecca. “Pacific tree frogs were found breeding in the newly constructed basins this spring and we’re hopeful to eventually see Red-legged Frog on our species list.”
Model for Restoration on Private Land
Restoration doesn’t need to be large-scale to be impactful. This project is a strong example of how landowners can play a direct role in restoring ecological function on their properties. With the right conditions, such as poorly drained soils or naturally wetted areas, even small fields and low-lying patches of land can be revitalized as functional wetlands with the appropriate support and expertise.
As noted previously, in this case, we were even able to create future farming opportunities on another area of the property using soil excavated during wetland construction (an approach we also used at our Crooked Horn Wetland Restoration site in Winlaw, B.C.)
If you’re a landowner in British Columbia and have areas of your property that stay wet or flood seasonally, you may be sitting on an opportunity to support wetland restoration! To learn more about how to restore these areas, or to explore partnership opportunities, contact the B.C. Wildlife Federation’s Wetlands Education Program at wep@bcwf.bc.ca.
This work was made possible with support from Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Province of British Columbia’s Watershed Security Fund.
BCWF Watershed Team 
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