GT Wetland Restoration Project

In 2019, the Slocan River Streamkeepers implemented a second wetland restoration project on private land in Appledale (north of Winlaw). The goal is to restore the wetland habitat and re-vegetate the site with native species to enhance functionality and attract a diversity of wildlife species. In January 2019, an excavator dug three shallow wetland areas, basking logs were installed for amphibians, a turtle nesting area was created, and also some posts planted for elevated nesting boxes. In the Spring, a diversity of native plants were planted, with the help of local school students , around the wetlands and bird and bat houses were installed.

This project will provide habitat for a diversity of wildlife, including Western Toads, Columbia Spotted Frogs, and Western Painted Turtles, as well as bats, birds and invertebrates such as dragonfly. The strategy aims to attract diverse mosquito predators to reduce their population in summer. Sampling in summer 2017 found no mosquito larvae in the wetlands we restored at Crooked Horn Farm. The Streamkeepers will continue the monitoring program to document the short- and long-term effects of restored wetlands.

The report for this project: Goulden Thurston Wetland Restoration Project (COL-F19- W-2787) Prepared for: Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program. Prepared by: Gregoire Lamoureux. August 20, 2019 

Wetland monitoring with Darcie Quamme  July 31, 2020

Western Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii) in the wetlands. June 2020

High water in the wetlands. June 29, 2020

A short video of Goulden Thurston Wetland Restoration Project

Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia) Male. A great mosquito predator. June 29, 2020

Common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) Male. A great insectivore! June 29, 2020

Winter in the wetlands November 30, 2019

Bat houses were also installed at the wetlands August 30, 2019

The staff gauge showing the water level in the wetland on August 23, 2019.

Biologist Darcie Quamme and her team monitoring the wetland project July 23, 2019

GT Wetland Restoration Project May 17, 2019

Map of wetland restoration project

Mosquito monitoring at the wetland restoration projects in the Slocan Valley

The ephemeral wetlands are now full May 18, 2019

Students from Sequoia Learning Centre in Crescent Valley planting a large number of native sedges, rushes, trees and shrubs. Many thanks for your help today! May 9, 2019

Pacific Chorus Frog (Pseudacris regilla), swimming in the wetlands May 9, 2019

Western Toad  (Anaxyrus boreas) swimming in the wetlands May 9, 2019

Tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) appreciating the new nesting boxes! May 9, 2019

Water plantain (Alisma spp. )

Students from Winlaw Elementary School came out with their teacher to plant sedges and rushes at the wetland restoration project on April 15. The nine Grade 6 students planted 130 native sedges and rushes from seven species that included: Juncus tenuis, Scirpus microcarpus, Carex lenticularis, Carex mentensii, Carex aquatilus, Carex rostrata and Juncus effussus.

Winlaw Elementary School students planting sedges. April 15, 2019
photo credit: Dominique Monnier

Installing nesting boxes for swallows. April 5, 2019

Wetland Restoration Project January 2019

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The Slocan River Streamkeepers would like to thank all the funders, supporters, land owners and volunteers for their support for this wetland restoration project.

Thanks to all our funders and supporters!

This project was funded by Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) and Columbia Basin Trust (CBT)
Additional funding was provided by WWF and Loblaws Water Fund with support from Columbia Basin Watershed Network (CBWN)
and Slocan Integral Forestry Cooperative (SIFCo)
and with the support of
BC Wildlife Federation Wetlands Education Program
Selkirk College Geospatial Research Centre
Slocan Wetlands Assessment and Monitoring Project (SWAMP)

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Wetland Restoration:

https://slocanriverstreamkeepers.wordpress.com/wetland-restoration/