Wetlands Workforce Team

The Story

Funding restoration projects is usually straightforward, but finding money for ongoing monitoring, stewardship, and maintenance has proven more difficult. An inability to return to project sites also makes it difficult to assess how well they are working and what deficiencies could be avoided in future projects, an approach called adaptive management.

During the Covid pandemic, the BC Wildlife Federation, collaborating with conservation organizations and First Nations, launched a Wetlands Workforce Program. In addition to providing active follow-up and promoting adaptive management, this program would provide employment for youth, especially women and First Nations. Impetus was added by the atmospheric river in 2021.

Objectives

To return to restoration sites to monitor their effectiveness and inform best management practices and adaptive management.

To maintain, stabilize, and enhance riparian habitat and shorelines by removing invasive plants, protecting trees, and planting indigenous plants.

To collaborate with First Nations and the broader community in planning restoration projects, as well as creating better wetland inventories.

To support public awareness and understanding of watersheds and biodiversity.

Tom Berry gravel pit circa 1976. Note the dry, rocky, unvegetated landscape

The Work

The FVWC’s work team monitored, assessed, maintained, and enhanced twelve aquatic and riparian restoration projects in the eastern Fraser Valley. In Chilliwack, sites included Peach Ponds, the Hooge Wetlands, and the Browne Creek Wetlands. In Mission, the Donatelli Park Conservation Area, the Silverdale Creek Wetlands, and in Hope the Tom Berry gravel pit.

Work included removing 47,000 m2 of invasive Himalayan balsam, Himalayan blackberry, reed canary grass, hops, and sweet white clover. Beaver guards were repaired, replaced and installed. Nesting ‘condos’ for Purple Martin were built where a population is known to exist. 4,330 m2 were replanted with indigenous trees and shrubs. Rubbish and debris were removed.

The BCWF Wetlands Workforce released a Final Roll-up Report on work completed by all partners and communities. It demonstrates the value of collaboration and action!

The FVWC also improved communication of watershed issues to the public through social media posts, an online learning platform, and lessons for schools and community groups. This includes historical perspectives of local First Nations. Six brief Discovery Program videos can be found on YouTube.

Sun rises on the Silverdale Wetlands restoration site in May 2021
Photo credit: Winter Moon
Fixing the wire cages serving as beaver guards at Silverdale Wetlands.
Photo credit: Winter Moon
Stave Valley Salmonid Enhancement Society and Kwantlen First Nation construct Purple Martin nesting habitat.
Stream health can be assessed through the presence and absence of invertebrates. If you find invertebrates that don’t tolerate pollution, you know water quality is good.

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At tour of Browne Creek wetland with University of the Fraser Valley geography class.
FVWC team learns Wetland Ecosystem Services Protocol (WESP) with the BC Wildlfe Federation
Exploring aquatic bugs with young student at Silverdale Wetlands.
Adding mulch to Hooge Wetland to increase soil moisture retention. With us is Mr. Wally Hall Sr.
First Nations elder Eddie Gardner (T’ít’elem Spath – Singing Bear) speaks to FVW members and staff about Truth and Reconciliation and a positive way forward for people and salmon.

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Wetlands Workforce Team

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