Tag: Features

Restoring a Wetland at Glen Valley Organic Farm

A hands-on collaboration to bring water and habitat back to the floodplain For nearly a decade, the stewards of Glen Valley Organic Farm Co-operative had been imagining the return of a functioning wetland to the lowest corner of their property. Since a 2015 hydrology assessment first identified the area as an ideal place to restore natural water storage 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…
Low Water at Ginty’s Pond Highlights Need for Continued Investment in Watershed Restoration

For nearly four decades, wildlife biologist Al Peatt has kept a close eye on Ginty’s Pond, a wetland in the semi-arid, desert-like climate of B.C.’s Similkameen Valley. In 1990, under his leadership as one of the founding directors of the Southern Interior Land Trust (SILT), the organization acquired the property to protect its wildlife habitat…
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…
Get to Know the 5 Freshwater Wetland Classifications!

From mossy bogs and spongy fens to forested swamps and vibrant marshes, wetlands are among the most ecologically rich ecosystems on the planet. Each type plays a unique role in supporting biodiversity, filtering water, storing carbon, and helping to reduce the impacts of floods and drought. Wetlands support an incredible variety of life. Often…
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…
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…
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…
Using Laws and Legislation to Protect Your Wetlands

Have you ever seen someone filling in, draining, or destroying a wetland and wondered, “are they allowed to do that?!“ Maybe it’s your neighbor harming a wetland on their private property and you have concerns about it. Or, maybe there’s a new development proposed that will pollute your favorite wetland. Now that the value of natural ecosystems is becoming more appreciated and understood as a critical component of our landscape, it is important to learn how we…