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604-291-9990
1-888-881-2293
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The BCWF would like to acknowlege the on-going support of the
BC Government.
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Tel: 604 291 9990 ext 232
Toll Free: 1 888 881 BCWF (2293)
Fax: 604 291 9933
E-mail: wetlands@bcwf.bc.ca
Address: 101-3060 Norland Ave.
Burnaby, BC, V5B 3A6 |
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Kamloops Wetlands Institute – Wetland Construction Success!
On June 4th, 2010, participants of the Wetlands Institute, a pillar event of BC Wildlife Federation’s Wetlands Program, members of the Tk’emlups Indian Band, and community members joined forces to restore a wetland on Stud Pasture, a piece of property on the Tk’emlups Indian Reserve. |
The Stud Pasture wetland has suffered soil compaction due to livestock grazing. With the help of an excavator and 15 committed environmental stewards, the surface of the wetland was re-contoured within less then 24 hours, exposing the groundwater to the open air, loosening up the soils and thereby providing more habitat for the Spadefoot Toad and other amphibian species. A fence was also erected around the wetland to prevent further soil compaction by livestock. However, in order to accommodate the needs of livestock, the fence was shaped to retain a point of water access for sheep, cattle and horses.
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Participants of the Wetlands Institute observed the rehabilitation of the wetland from start to finish, and were directly involved in the planting of native species around the wetland.
Is wetland restoration actually effective? Absolutely. During the same week, Wetlands Institute participants had the opportunity to visit a similarly constructed series of wetlands on a nearby property in Barnhartvale called Tree Flats. Since restoration in 2007, a population of Spadefoot Toad has started using the wetlands for breeding-one of the hopes for the new wetland on Stud Pasture also! |
The Wetlands Institute teaches the necessary skills, knowledge, and confidence to make effective and long-lasting changes in each participant’s own community. Empowering communities to build, monitor and protect their own wetlands is a cost-effective and long-term solution for ecosystem stewardship. It’s up to us to safeguard our environment!
The Wetlands Institute could not run without the generous contributions of its donors. This includes the ongoing support from BC Wildlife members, Tk’emlups Indian Band, RBC Blue Water Community Grant, and Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation.
For more information or to get involved in future wetland courses, email wetlands@bcwf.bc.ca
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BCWF Promotes Wetland Creation for Habitat and Students at
Cayoosh Elementary School in Lillooet
Lillooet Wetland Construction Workshop: June 23rd & 24th, 2009
BC Wildlife Federation’s Wetlands Education Program celebrated wetland revitalization on June 23rd & 24th, 2009 with a concept growing across North America: Wetland Creation. This was the first course of its kind to be hosted by BCWF and involved 10 participants from diverse backgrounds who gathered at Cayoosh Elementary School to create a wetland in just 9 hours! The Wetland Construction Workshop aimed to raise awareness and educate community members about wetland construction, conservation and stewardship in Lillooet, BC. |
Wetland Completed at Cayoosh Elementary School in Lillooet
Although wetlands in dry climates such as Lillooet are sparse, the benefits of creating a wetland at Cayoosh Elementary School are numerous including: an outdoor classroom for students, habitat for wetland species and a sense of ownership for monitoring by the schoolchildren. Community members such as Jacquie & Verne Rasmussen, Dan & Donna Gatzka, Michelle & David Harder and Kim North (to name a few!) contributed much time and equipment towards the legacy of a wetland for their community. |
Michele Jones teaches soil types
With the help of generous donors such as Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, BCWF flew Wildlife Biologist Tom Biebighauser into Lillooet from Kentucky to teach the Wetland Construction Workshop. Working out of the Center for Wetlands and Stream Restoration in Kentucky, Tom has constructed thousands of wetlands across North America and also leads BCWF’s bi-annual Wetlands Institute. BCWF Vice-President Rodney Wiebe and Exceutive Director Patti Macahonic were present for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of the new wetland.
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Schoolchildren help to install the liner before filling the wetland with water
On the day of construction, schoolchildren were invited out in ½ hour segments to view the construction process and a lucky few helped to lay down the liner before the water was turned on to fill it in. The Lillooet Naturalist Society and Cayoosh Elementary School will monitor the progress and growth of the wetland plants and habitat.
Watch for us in a wetland near you!
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Tel: 604 291 9990 ext 232
Toll Free: 1 888 881 BCWF (2293)
Fax: 604 291 9933
E-mail: wetlands@bcwf.bc.ca
Address: 101-3060 Norland Ave.
Burnaby, BC, V5B 3A6 |
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