This article was originally published in BC Outdoors magazine in Spring 2025 and reflects beaver dam analogue (BDA) restoration work completed by the B.C. Wildlife Federation during the 2024 field season in the East Kootenay region. Since its publication, BCWF has continued to expand this work across the province. Restoration and monitoring efforts are ongoing, with additional work planned in the years ahead.
When the B.C. Wildlife Federation’s 10,000 Wetlands Initiative put out a call for equipment and volunteers, BCWF Director David Oliver answered.
When the Watershed Team embarked on a project to build beaver dam analogues (BDAs) on Earl Ranch near Newgate, it quickly became clear they would need help to transport branches and brush.
“We had a permit to harvest materials from a local site, but it was a fair distance from our work sites,” said senior field technician Birch Matkowski. “David stepped up with his ATV and a trailer. But not only did he provide his equipment, he was on site with us every day.”
Oliver drove 90 minutes from Cranbrook each morning with his dogs, Ember and Spice, and then dug in, collecting, hauling, and unloading brush for eight hours a day. By moving multiple loads of branches every day, he ensured the team always had a steady supply of building materials
The dogs kept the crew upbeat and cleaned up after lunch.
“Everyone loved the dogs, but David was invaluable,” said Matkowski. “We never would have reached our project objectives without him. It was hard work, on difficult terrain, but he never grumbled.”
Oliver is a life member and director at the BCWF, and he has dedicated countless hours to conservation work, supporting local communities through his love for the outdoors.
The Earl Ranch project is part of BCWF’s 10,000 Wetlands initiative, which aims to restore wetland habitats across British Columbia with low-tech restoration techniques.
Purchased in 1974 by the province, Earl Ranch has been the site of restoration efforts for several years in partnership with the BCWF, the Tobacco Plains Indian Band, Nature Trust of BC, the provincial government, and Rewilding Water and Earth. The site had been drained decades earlier, but modern conservation goals are now focused on enhancing natural wetland, stream, and forest functions.
Last spring the BCWF team and the Band installed monitoring stations and collected data to prepare for BDA installations. In October 2024, the team returned to install BDAs at locations selected to maximize ecological benefits.
While building dams may come naturally to beavers, constructing BDAs is no small task for humans. Many hands, minds, and sometimes machines are required, and most of all, volunteers like David Oliver are key to making restoration work happen.
“David was there every day, and his support was critical,” said Matkowski. “We needed someone focused on harvesting and delivering material constantly, and he did that. It might not seem like much, but it was a ton of work, and he happily did it.”
Oliver was impressed by the construction process and the dedication and skill that goes into the restoration work.
“It was incredible to watch the team’s effort and knowledge,” he said. “Watching the intricate process requiring an assortment of tools and equipment including post pounders to secure the analogues was a learning experience,” he said.
Volunteers like David Oliver help the BCWF achieve lasting impacts for British Columbia’s fish, wildlife, and people.
The B.C. Wildlife Federation relies on all kinds of volunteers to support our conservation efforts across the province, performing tasks from office administration to educational outreach to hauling building materials around wetland sites. If you’re interested in learning more or registering for our volunteer programs, visit https://bcwf.bc.ca/volunteer/.
This story, by Jamie Long (Conservation Stewardship Communications Coordinator), first appeared in the MAR/APR 2025 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.
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