Tag: Environment

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…
Understanding Beaver Dam Analogues — Q&A with Jennifer Rogers

Restoring streams, floodplains, and wetlands doesn’t always require heavy machinery. Sometimes, simple, nature-based solutions are the most effective. That’s the idea behind low-tech process-based restoration (LTPBR)—an approach that uses natural materials and processes to support ecosystem recovery. Two widely used techniques involve building simple, hand-crafted structures inspired by nature: Beaver Dam Analogues (BDAs) and Post-Assisted…
Reviving the Land — The Yaqan Nukiy Wetland Renaturalization Project

What happens when you let the land lead? On Yaqan Nukiy territory, millennia of Indigenous knowledge is guiding one of the most ambitious wetland projects in Canada—transforming not only ecosystems, but the broader understanding of how restoration can be approached. The Yaqan Nukiy Wetland Project, located on 517 hectares of Lower Kootenay Band reserve lands…
Species Profile — Moose

When we think of wetland species we often think of animals such as birds, amphibians, and aquatic insects. However, wetlands are renowned for being an ecological hotspot that house a surprising list of tenants – one of them being moose. Moose (Alces alces) aren’t always thought of as a wetland species, but they’re frequently seen…
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…
Bringing Back the Chum — Mosquito Creek Restoration

Mosquito Creek in North Vancouver was once a thriving salmon-bearing stream, but decades of urbanization, channelization, and flood control measures dramatically changed its course—both literally and ecologically. Since the 1960s, human impacts have degraded the creek’s natural habitat, making the return of salmon a rare sight. Recognizing the urgent need for restoration, the North Shore…
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…
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…
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…
Communities Come Together to Revitalize Ginty’s Pond

After years of planning, work is finally underway to restore Ginty’s Pond to an open-water ecosystem. An essential wetland habitat in B.C.’s Interior, conservation efforts at this wetland will protect several federally listed species at risk, such as the Yellow-breasted Chat, Western Screech Owl, Interior Snakes, Great Basin Spadefoot, and Western Painted Turtles. Although this…