The mission of BCWF WEP is: "To deliver quality wetland education that builds the capacity of individuals and groups to assess their wetland
assets and, using this new knowledge, increase community health."

About BCWF's Wetlands Education Program

BC Wildlife Federation's Wetlands Education Program was created in
1996 to deliver quality wetland education that builds the capacity of individuals and groups to assess their wetland assets, and, using this
new knowledge, increase community health. BCWF prides itself on community based wetland education programs that increase the
capacity of individuals to steward wetlands in their own backyards!

BCWF's Wetland activities result in habitat restoration, enhancement
and conservation at each project site throughout British Columbia.
When a host community invites BCWF Wetlands Program to deliver a
course in their community, the chosen site will benefit from
enhancement or restoration during the course. Not only do participants learn about wetland processes and habitat restoration, they also embark
on the physical work required to restore wetland habitat.

The Wetlands Program consistently collaborates with BCWF clubs and members, Non-Governmental Organizations, local community groups, Naturalist clubs, First Nations groups and other interested parties in the communities that host all of our courses, to ensure for an inclusive and highly informative program.

It has been said many times that change at the community level is most effective and long lasting. The combination of intensive wetland education paired with field-based restoration makes the BCWF Wetlands Program unique and effective across British Columbia. Thanks to BCWF's concern
for conserving wetlands, communities can ensure that wetlands will be enjoyed for recreation and habitat for future generations!

Why wetlands?

Wetlands are defined as "land that has the water table at, near, or above the land's surface or which is saturated for a long enough period to
promote wetland or aquatic processes as indicated by hydric soils, hydrophytic vegetation, and various kinds of biological activity that are adapted to the wet environment" (National Wetlands Working Group).

Wetlands are one of the most biologically diverse, productive, and
important life support systems on earth. They provide critical habitat for amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds, and other wildlife. Most wildlife in BC use wetland habitat at some point in their life cycle and many red and blue-listed species are wetland-dependent (National Wetlands Working Group).

Why are wetlands important to ecosystems and humans?

• Reduce flooding potential

• Maintain channel and shoreline stability

• Maintain natural water balance

• Improve water quality by production of dissolved and decayed
   organic matter

• Reduce contaminants in water by reducing transport of pesticides
   downstream

• Reduce global warming impacts by carbon sequestration and other

• Food, nesting and cover for all species that use wetlands during
   lifecycle

• Provide uses for humans such as viewing, bird-watching, hunting,
   trapping

Wetland Food Web

UPCOMING EVENTS

• More Wetlandkeepers Courses in the Sea to Sky Corridor are coming in 2010 - Check back for more information!


  Please return soon for more info...