Category: News & Updates

Final Report 2025

Healthy watersheds play a critical role in supporting fish, wildlife, and communities across British Columbia. In 2025, prolonged dry periods, wildfire risk, and intense rainfall events highlighted the importance of restoring and protecting wetlands and streams. In response to these growing climate concerns, the BC Wildlife Federation’s Watershed Team has continued to advance restoration and…
Creston Rallies to Restore Kootenay Lake’s Kokanee Salmon

Kootenay Lake’s Giants of Gerrard rainbow trout once routinely grew to an astonishing 30 pounds, but a decades-long ecological crisis triggered by hydro developments dating back to the 60s badly disrupted the lake’s Gerrard and Kokanee salmon populations. Now, an ambitious grassroots project spearheaded by the Creston Valley Rod & Gun Club is fighting to…
Kicking Off 2025 with Hands on Restoration and Training in the South Okanagan

The South Okanagan is one of the driest regions in British Columbia, yet it’s full of life. Alongside vibrant vineyards, sparkling lakes, and rolling grasslands, the region is home to an incredible diversity of fish and wildlife that flourish where water flows. From the smallest stream to the quietest wetland to the broadest lake, these…
Now Available! Wetland Plants of British Columbia, Version 3

We’re excited to announce that Wetland Plants of British Columbia, Version 3 is now published and available for free download! Wetlands are essential ecosystems in British Columbia—rich in biodiversity and home to a wide variety species. This guide introduces common indicator species found in wetland habitats across the province and is designed to support users…
Reviving the Land — The Yaqan Nukiy Wetland Renaturalization Project

What happens when you let the land lead? In B.C.’s central Kootenay region, a wetland revitalization project led by the Yaqan Nukiy People (Lower Kootenay Band) is showcasing exactly that. Guided by millennia of Indigenous knowledge, the Yaqan Nukiy Wetland Project is one of the most ambitious restoration efforts in Canada. With a focus on…
Upcoming Event — Virtual Tour of Canada’s Largest Indigenous-Led Wetland Restoration

Event Cancelled — Please check Norman Allard’s LinkedIn profile for rescheduling updates in the coming weeks. Inside Canada’s Largest Indigenous-Led Wetland Project Virtual Live Tour and Q&A with Norman Allard, Community Planner for Yaqan Nukiy (Lower Kootenay Band) Date: June 20, 2025Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. PSTWhere to watch: www.youtube.com/@ReconnectExperience Join Norman Allard, Community Planner…
Welcome to the Team! Meet Our New & Returning Conservation Stewardship Staff

As the summer field season kicks off, we’re excited to welcome back several dedicated members—and introduce one new face—to the B.C. Wildlife Federation’s Watershed Team (aka the Conservation Stewardship department)! Sabine Rankin – Junior Restoration Technician Welcome to the team, Sabine! Sabine Rankin holds a B.Sc. in Biological Sciences from Simon Fraser University with a…
Assessing Road Impacts on Wetlands in Northern B.C.

Introducing BCWF’s RIWHA Tool Across British Columbia, roads and industrial infrastructure continue to reshape wetland ecosystems—this is especially true in northern B.C., where decades of hydroelectric development and land-use change have left lasting marks on the landscape. To better understand and respond to these impacts, the B.C. Wildlife Federation has launched a new tool: the…
World Migratory Bird Day 2025 — Creating Bird-Friendly Communities Across the Pacific Flyway

Each year, World Migratory Bird Day unites people across the globe in celebrating one of nature’s most awe-inspiring phenomena—the seasonal movement of billions of birds across vast distances. In 2025, the focus is on how we can make our communities—rural and urban alike—safer, healthier, and more welcoming for migratory birds. When Is World Migratory Bird…
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…