Author: Jamie Long

Who is The B.C. Wildlife Federation’s Watershed Team?

The Watershed Team is the B.C. Wildlife Federation’s most impactful boots-on-the-ground conservation initiative. The B.C. Wildlife Federation’s Watershed Team began with a simple but powerful idea: Education leads to action. In 1996, the BCWF launched the Wetlands Education Program (WEP) in response to the rapid loss of wetlands in British Columbia. The goal was to…
BCIT students cut their teeth on beaver-based restoration

For the first time, BCIT Master of Ecological Restoration students took instruction in beaver-inspired wetland restoration techniques with the goal of combating escalating droughts, floods, and wildfires. BCIT alumna and the B.C. Wildlife Federation’s Beaver Restoration Assessment Lead, Jen Rogers, led the new beaver-inspired workshops at Logan Lake last September. The BCIT training session included…
City of Vancouver Staff Plunge Into the Wetlands Institute

Members of the City of Vancouver’s engineering department will spend the next several years building and rehabilitating urban wetlands in the Still Creek Watershed, using skills they acquired from a Wetlands Institute workshop last year. Sophie Warren and Julie McManus collaborate with the City of Vancouver Parks Board on improving stormwater management and on rainwater…
Quadra Island Wetland Restored

The rejuvenated wetland surrounding Quadra Island Elementary has transformed the way students learn by turning the school’s backyard into a vibrant classroom of native flora and fauna. Last year’s efforts converted a soggy segment of a sports field back to its original state. Nestled in the north-west corner of the schoolyard, this restored wetland serves…
10,000 Wetlands — Using Beaver-based Restoration to Enhance Watershed Resilience

In early 2023, the B.C. Wildlife Federation launched 10,000 Wetlands, an ambitious project focused on beaver-based restoration. The 10,000 Wetlands project is designed to confront environmental challenges through installing 100 Beaver Dam Analogues (BDAs) across the province. By partnering with First Nations and conservation organizations, our overall aim is to kickstart the creation and restoration…
Celebrate World Wetlands Day with the B.C. Wildlife Federation

As World Wetlands Day approaches, the B.C. Wildlife Federation’s Watershed Team is reflecting on our work and dedication to wetlands throughout 2023. This World Wetlands Day, we invite you to celebrate with us—honour these incredible ecosystems and the communities working to protect them! Our Team in Action: In 2023, the BCWF Watershed Team focused…
2023 — A Year of Impact with the BCWF Watershed Team

In 2023, the B.C. Wildlife Federation’s Watershed Team rolled up their sleeves and made big moves for conservation across British Columbia. From restoring wetlands to building meaningful partnerships, it was a year of impact. Read on for some of the standout moments from our team’s work this year. Maintenance and Monitoring Wetland maintenance and monitoring…
Fraser River Cleanup Makes Remarkable Early Achievements

The Fraser River Tidal Marsh Clean-up team greatly surpassed its early objectives for its estuary cleanup project by collecting over 12 tonnes of plastic trash, crabbing and fishing gear, boat parts and other assorted debris in just three months, nearly hitting their two-year target. The collaboration between the B.C. Wildlife Federation, the Tsawwassen First Nation…
Revitalizing Juliet Creek — Enhancing Fish Habitat and Stream Connectivity

The restoration of the Juliet Creek Side Channel included restoring access to the Coldwater River for fish passage following the flooding of the Coldwater River and restoring and enhancing rearing and refuge habitat, especially coho salmon. The B.C. Wildlife Federation, the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Scw’exmx Tribal Council, and Rock Solid…
Maggie’s Journey — A ‘Nuisance’ Beaver Gets a Second Chance

When the door of her enclosure swung open, Maggie the beaver wasted no time getting acquainted with her new home. After months of rehabilitation at the Interior Wildlife Rehabilitation Society, she finally returned to the wild. Maggie’s solitary rehabilitation journey was unusual because beavers typically live in pairs or in established colonies. “Normally, we would…