Author: BCWF Watershed Team

Microplastics Are No Small Problem

Microplastics are everywhere—floating in our waterways, drifting through the air we breathe, and settling in delicate ecosystems. These tiny plastic particles aren’t just a concern for humans, who unknowingly consume thousands of them daily; they’re also invading fish and wildlife habitats, disrupting food chains and threatening biodiversity. But what exactly are microplastics, and why do…
Toxic Tire Leaching — A Threat to Salmon Survival

The importance of removing harmful debris, such as tires, from the Fraser River Estuary cannot be overstated. Between 2021 and 2024, the B.C. Wildlife Federation’s Fraser River Tidal Marsh Clean-up team worked tirelessly to tackle this issue. Crew members reported finding a wide range of random debris in the estuary—shoes, hats, flip-flops—scattered across islands where…
Honouring National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30th, 2024 marks the third National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is an opportunity to reflect on the commitments made to work with Indigenous communities in their healing journey. For the B.C. Wildlife Federation, Reconciliation means building and supporting meaningful relationships with First Nations communities across the province to conserve and restore our…
5 Tips for Your Next Clean-up Event From the Fraser River Tidal Marsh Clean-up Crew

The impact of our consumer products is far greater than we realize. In the Fraser River estuary, we’ve already lost over 80% of tidal marsh habitat due to industry, development, and overall degradation. This loss has had a significant, often unrealized, impact on salmon, birds, marine mammals, and other species. With a finite amount of…
A Feel-Good Story — Finding Lost Photos in Boundary Bay

Photos are cherished keepsakes that cause memories to flood back with just a look. Losing photos is not unlike losing memories from a rosy past. As the Fraser River Tidal Marsh Clean-up (FRTMC) team was out removing debris along Boundary Bay, one of our crew members found a small bottle with three SD cards inside.…
Watershed Security Will Require a Billion-Dollar Investment

By helping nature heal itself, we can mitigate wildfires, droughts, and floods. Watershed security funding is trickling out. We will need a torrent to futureproof our rivers, lakes, and forests. The B.C. Wildlife Federation and its partners have assessed and restored dozens of wetlands, rebuilding the natural infrastructure that kept our watersheds in balance for…
Final Report 2023

The B.C. Wildlife Federation is committed to protecting and restoring wetlands and watersheds across the province. Through collaboration, education, and on-the-ground action, the Watershed Team continues to support healthy ecosystems and resilient communities. We’re proud to share this final report highlighting our collective efforts in 2023.
An Educational Companion to We Are of Water

In recognition of National Indigenous History Month, we are excited to share “An Educational Companion to We Are of Water” The graphic novel We Are of Water, illustrated by Chenoa Gao provides visuals connected to voices and knowledge shared by Indigenous Elders, youth and community members, throughout British Columbia, and highlights the significance of watersheds and water.…
Plant Bingo 2024!

As the B.C. Wildlife Federation advances Version 3 of the “Wetlands of British Columbia” digital resource book, we are excited to announce an interactive outdoor activity: Plant Bingo. This is an exciting outdoor initiative where we invite you to explore your local wetlands and take photographs of the diverse plant species you encounter. To get…
Species Profile — Red-winged Blackbird

We often see them dancing on telephone wires or hear their song as spring returns. The red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is one of the most common birds in North America, with a range stretching coast to coast across southern Canada. As is often the case in nature, the sleek black body and vibrant red-and-yellow shoulder…