Author: Jamie Long

Why Wetlands?

Protecting water is central to the B.C. Wildlife Federation’s mission to preserve, restore, and enhance the region’s fish, wildlife, and habitats. Wetlands, a key part of British Columbia’s ecosystem, offer numerous advantages, including water purification, flood control, climate change mitigation, and providing vital wildlife habitats. However, these crucial ecosystems are rapidly diminishing. In the last…
The Wetlands Workforce Project (2021)

The Inception of the Wetlands Workforce The Wetlands Workforce project was launched in 2021 as a collaboration between the B.C. Wildlife Federation conservation organizations, and First Nations across British Columbia, following a one-year, $5-million grant from the Healthy Watersheds Initiative. The $27-million project, supported by the Province of British Columbia, aimed to stimulate B.C.’s economic…
Collaborations Yield a Healthier Landscape

Living off the land is fundamental to rural and First Nations communities. Caring for the land is essential to the traditions and practices that encompass hunting, fishing, and foraging. The B.C. Wildlife Federation and Indigenous communities have made considerable progress toward a shared vision of maintaining healthy fish and wildlife populations. By weaving Indigenous values…
Wetlands Institute — 2023 Recap

For over two decades, the B.C. Wildlife Federation’s Wetlands Institute has been essential in empowering participants with the skills necessary to lead watershed projects across BC. In 2023, the Wetlands Institute, facilitated by the BCWF’s Wetlands Education Program, provided a lively foundation for the exchange of knowledge among industry professionals and participants, alike. Held in…
Mapping Our Marshes with the Wetlands Education Program — 2023

The Wetlands Education Program (WEP) runs several workshops throughout the year in order to engage and educate interested participants about wetlands. One of these programs is Map our Marshes (MoM). This is a 1.5 day workshop that focuses on entry-level technical and field skills for mapping smaller wetlands using free software, GPS, and your smartphone!…
The Wetlands Institute Inspires Ongoing Backyard Restoration Efforts

As the B.C. Wildlife Federation prepares for its upcoming 2023 Wetlands Institute, we are inspired to look back on the transformative journeys of past participants. Among them is the heartwarming story of Susan DeBeck, who attended the program in 2021. While many come to the Institute with backgrounds in environmental science, Susan stands out as…
Volunteer-run rehab centre returns beavers to the wild

The B.C. Wildlife Federation is dedicating significant energy and attention to learning about the services beavers offer to wetlands, and how to leverage those behaviors to our mutual advantage. We visited the Interior Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (IWRS) in Summerland in July to view the society’s new Beaver Hotel, a facility dedicated to rehabilitating beavers and…