Tag: BCWF
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Species Profile — Belted Kingfisher
The Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) is a medium-sized bird commonly found near rivers, lakes, estuaries, and wetlands across North America. Ranging from 28 to 30 cm in height, with a wingspan of 48 to 58 cm, this striking species is known for its shaggy crest, sharp dagger-like bill, and loud, mechanical rattle call. Its plumage…
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Restoring Wetlands in the Okanagan – 2015 Wetlands Institute
The passion for wetland restoration and protection drew participants from all over BC to the Okanagan to attend the BC Wildlife Federation’s 13th Wetlands Institute, aiming to gain the skills and knowledge needed to complete their own wetland projects. We had quite the range of participants including Biologists, Landscape Technologists and Architects, Environmental Planners, Coordinators,…
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Species Profile — Grizzly Bear
Grizzly bears are one of British Columbia’s most iconic and ecologically vital species. These powerful mammals are a subspecies of the brown bear. While both are part of the same species (Ursus arctos), grizzly bears are specifically known as Ursus arctos horribilis. In other words, all grizzlies are brown bears, but not all brown bears…
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Community Members and Students Come Together For The 2015 Kelowna Wetlandkeepers Workshop
The Wetlandkeepers Workshop in Kelowna (May 1-3, 2015) lead by Neil Fletcher was packed full of fun wetland information and activities. The workshop was held at the Oceola Fish and Game Club and 25 participants came out to learn as well as provide insightful information on the local wetlands. We had members from many groups…
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Species Profile — Pacific Tree Frog
Meet Hyla regilla – or, as many call it, the Pacific Tree Frog. It is entirely possible that you have never seen one despite their abundance in British Columbia. After all, a full-grown adult is typically less than 5 centimetres long. It may be helpful to think of them as the raccoons of Amphibia – they can be found in…
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Wetlands Institute 2014 — East Vancouver Island
In 2014, the BC Wildlife Federation’s Wetlands Institute brought 30 passionate participants to Vancouver Island for a seven-day, hands-on workshop that spanned Duncan, Nanaimo, and Courtenay. Throughout the week, participants learned practical skills to restore and build wetlands in their own communities. By the end of the training, four existing wetlands had been restored and…
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Species Profile — Long-tailed Duck
Waterfowl are perhaps the most interesting animals on the planet. From high north to the deep south, and from desert to wetlands, you can find waterfowl almost anywhere. One of our favorites of all, however, is a rather hard-to-find resident of British Columbia’s coast: the Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis). As can be seen in the…
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Species Profile — Six-Spotted Fishing Spider
There are over 43,000 species of spiders across the globe, about 3,400 of which are found in North America, and 729 confirmed to be found in B.C. Spiders are one of the smallest creatures to instil such great amounts of fear in people. The species of nursery web spider that will be the focus of…
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Building a Schoolyard Wetland: Kinnaird Elementary, Castlegar
The BCWF’s Wetlands Education Program headed to the West Kootenays to build a schoolyard wetland at Kinnaird Elementary in Castlegar. With the help of the Grade 7 students, we constructed a liner wetland over two sunny days last week! There were several steps involved in building a liner wetland: The Kinnaird Elementary students and teachers…
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Species Profile — Coastal Tailed Frog
The Coastal Tailed Frog (Ascaphus truei) is very unique species whose range extends from northern B.C. to California. Tadpoles may grow to about 3 centimeters in length and may be greyish brown, reddish brown, and black in colour. Mature coastal tailed frogs grows to about 3 centimeters in length and may be light brown, greyish…