Author: BCWF Watershed Team

Supporting People, Supporting Watersheds

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…
Final Report 2024

Explore highlights from the BCWF Watershed Team’s 2024 report, showcasing hands-on restoration, community partnerships, and bold steps toward watershed security across B.C. This year’s work reflects our growing impact on wetland health, climate resilience, and collaborative conservation.
Wetlands Institute — Virtual Speaker Series 2025

The B.C. Wildlife Federation’s Wetland Education Program is returning this February for the Wetlands Institute: Virtual Speaker Series! Join us and some amazing speakers to discover new and emerging research in wetlands. See below for details of each webinar. Thank you to our funders for making these webinars possible:
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.