The B.C. Wildlife Federation is offering free two-day workshops on riparian health and fish habitat restoration in three watersheds across B.C.
These summer workshops held by the Fish Habitat Restoration & Education Program are scheduled at Cougar Creek in Delta, the Columbia River Watershed near Golden, and Abel Creek in Invermere.
This is an opportunity to jumpstart your organization’s institutional knowledge by sending one, two or even more members or employees to gain hands-on experience in riparian and stream health assessment, invertebrate sampling, and removing invasive vegetation.
Environmental NGOs, municipal governments, fish and game clubs, citizen scientists, and community groups are all welcome to take advantage of this priceless opportunity. There is no charge for participation, but you must register to secure your place.
BCWF Fish Habitat Stewardship workshops provide an open space for hands-on learning and direct access to connections with local First Nations, experts in ecology, and community outdoor groups.
Community stewardship plays a key role in environmental advocacy and education, so our workshops bring local groups together to share knowledge and experience on implementing sustainable fish and stream habitat restoration and monitoring practices.
The BCWF team arms workshop participants with the tools and knowledge to restore and maintain healthy streams and build collaborative communities.
2022 Golden Fish Habitat Stewardship Workshop
Aug 6 & 7, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Columbia River Watershed, Golden, B.C.
At the 2022 Golden Fish Habitat Stewardship Workshop participants will gain hands-on experience in areas such as riparian and stream health assessments while completing a Rapid Health Assessment for Small streams, developed by Cows and Fish. We will cover topics such as water quality measurements and monitoring, invertebrate sampling, and their relationship to a healthy watershed. During this free two-day workshop, participants will hear from guest speakers about the traditional use of the area, human impacts, and the importance of this area for native fish and wildlife.
Our presenters include Brian Gustafson, biologist and Executive Director for the Golden Rod and Gun Club, Kyla Rushton, BCWF Wetland Assessment Coordinator, and members of local First Nations.
Register here, for questions please contact the Fish Habitat Restoration and Education team, fish@bcwf.bc.ca
2022 Invermere Fish Habitat Stewardship Workshop
Aug 12, 3 pm – 6:15 pm & Aug 13, 9 am – 4 pm
Abel Creek, Invermere, B.C.
Join the 2022 Invermere Fish Habitat Stewardship Workshop to gain valuable knowledge on fish habitat and stream ecosystem restoration during multiple in-depth stream tours along Abel Creek. During this one-and-a-half-day workshop, participants will hear from representatives of Shuswap Band – Secwepmec First Nation on the traditional culture and land use of the Windermere area, human impacts on Abel Creek and recent restoration projects, future restoration plans and Kokanee population enhancement, and more.
Guest speakers include Ben Mitchell-Banks, Director of the Windermere Rod & Gun Club and Chad Fritz of the Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C.
Register here, for questions contact the Fish Habitat Restoration and Education team, fish@bcwf.bc.ca
2022 Delta Fish Habitat Stewardship Workshop
August 20 & 21, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Cougar Creek, Delta, B.C.
The 2022 Delta Fish Habitat Stewardship Workshop is hosted in partnership with the Cougar Creek Streamkeepers. During this free two-day workshop, participants will hear from guest speakers about the traditional use of the area, impacts from industry, and the importance of this area as spawning and rearing grounds for chum, coho, cutthroat trout, and other native fish and wildlife.
Presenters at this event include Deborah Jones and David Smith of the Cougar Creek Streamkeepers, BCWF staff, and other experts in the field.
Participants will gain hands-on experience in areas such as riparian and stream health assessments, invertebrate sampling, removing invasive vegetation, and will get the opportunity to join in instream habitat complexing by building weirs and an exclusion fence! In the fall, we will hold a second part to this workshop (date TBD) where you can help us enhance the riparian corridor of Cougar Creek by planting native trees and shrubs.
Register here, for questions contact the Fish Habitat Restoration and Education team, fish@bcwf.bc.ca