Community Trails and Tours GUIDE to VANDERHOOF

Community Trails and Tours GUIDE TO VANDERHOOF

www.vanderhoof.cawww.vanderhoof.ca VANDERHOOF COMMUNITY CONTENTS Vanderhoof Community Trail TRAILS Vanderhoof Community Trails. . . . . 2 Downtown Core Parks & Green Spaces The Vanderhoof Community Trail Heritage Nature Trail...... 4 system is a network of walking trails Stoney Creek Nature Trail...... 6 Hospital Motorbike Trail around and through the community . Fire Hall Museum The trail network is an ever expanding Riverside Nature Trail ...... 8 Police Station Personal Watercraft project . New sections of the trail are WL McLeod Wetland Trail. . . . . 10. Airport Picnic Area added each year, so be sure to contact Nechako White Sturgeon . . . . . 12. the Vanderhoof Visitor Centre for up- ATV Trail Playground Bird Watching Hot Spots...... 14 to-date information . Baseball Post Oﬀice Guide to Animal Signs...... 16. Biking Trail Public Telephone ABOUT THIS GUIDE Kid-Friendly Stops ...... 18. Boating Public Washroom This guide is for the enjoyment History & Culture Tour...... 20 Camping Recycling Centre of all residents and visitors to the Canoeing Restaurant Nechako Valley . This guide provides suggested tours and trails to enjoy in Community Running Track Garden our community . There are points of RV Camping Cross-country interesting facts along the way to add Skiing Trail Sani-Dump to the experience, by learning about

Kenney Dam Float Plane Dock the natural history of our area . Couple Dog Path Sheltered Picnic Area this Tour Guide with the Nature Guide Nature Guide to the Nechako Valley for a complete TO THE NECHAKO VALLEY Shopping Fishing experience . Snowboarding Fitness Equipment For more information on the topics Snowmobiling Trail Garbage Disposal covered in this guide, please contact Snowshoeing Trail Gas Station the Vanderhoof Visitor Centre . Spray Park Golfing Other useful guides for our community Stable Grocery Store and area include: Swimming Hiking Trail Nature Guide of the Nechako Valley Tennis Courts Horse Riding Wilderness Recreation Guide to the Wilderness Recreation Guide Wading Area TO THE NECHAKO VALLEY Ice Fishing Nechako Valley www.vanderhoof.ca Walking Trail Ice Skating Waterskiing Kayaking Wheelchair Access Laundromat Wildlife Viewing Library Lodging Interpretive Kiosk Mechanic Shop Interpretive Trail Sign

www.vanderhoof.ca 1 Vanderhoof Community Trails Health Centre Rd

Vanderview Dr

TRAIL SYSTEM Northside Rd

Murray Hospital Rd The Vanderhoof Community Trail system is a complete Creek COLLEGE OF NEW CALEDONIA Northside Rd loop through Vanderhoof, passing by rivers, parks, Loop Rd Northside Rd wetlands, forests and residential areas . See wildlife

big and small — squirrels to swans, deer to butterflies, PETER RODSETH osprey to frogs . Pick up a Nature Guide to learn more MEMORIAL PARK Ave Burrard about the natural history of the Nechako Valley!

THE TRAILS RIVERSIDE PARK There are four separate interpretive nature trails along the & CAMPGROUND Vanderhoof Community Trail, each with its own unique part NECHAKO RIVER STURGEON of history . The individual trail cards are on the pages that BIRD SANCTUARY CONSERVATION CENTRE follow . If starting at the Vanderhoof Museum, the trails are: Riverside • Heritage Nature Trail Nature Trail • Stoney Creek Nature Trail Louvain St • Riverside Nature Trail Omineca St

Burrard Ave Burrard

• WL McLeod Nature Trail Douglas St Douglas St

WL MCLEOD WETLAND Vanderhoof OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST Business Centre Victoria St E View St Lampitt Ave Victoria St E Along the way, be sure to visit the Stoney Creek Nature Trail FERLAND larger interpretive signs at the PARK Nechako Valley Connaught St Secondary School • Peter Rodseth Memorial Park Church Ave

Gracey Ln Gracey

Burrard Ave Burrard

Creasy Ave Columbia St W RCMP

Rainbow Ave • Nechako White Sturgeon Conservation Centre Bute Ave • Vanderhoof Community Garden Columbia St E Stewart St E SPORTS FIELD & RUNNING TRACK Silversmith Ave Stewart St W • Highway 16 Park Stewart St E Stewart St E

HIGHWAY Burrard Ave WHAT TO BRING 16 PARK We want everyone to have a fun time on our trails,

and we want you to be safe! Be prepared when you FIRE HALL 16

16 StPine set out for you day, even if it is just a short walk — FRASER AveClark LAKE Second St E conditions can change . Please ensure you have: Recreation Ave VANDERHOOF Third St • a map MUSEUM YELLOWHEAD HWY

Fraser Ave • a plan and to let someone know your plan Fourth St Heritage Park & Fourth St • water and food Heritage Nature Trail Fi h St • sunscreen, hat, sweater (prepare for the weather) AveClark

Nechako Ave

• camera, phone etc . Sixth St

• ID books and guides RIP’N THE NORTH BIKE PARK Dump Road • Dogs on leash Seventh St Kenney Dam Road PRINCE If you do run into trouble, call 911 . GEORGE To Wilderness Resorts and Saik’uz First Nation Reserve 2 3 Silversmith Ave HERITAGE NATURE TRAIL Heritage Nature Trail @ VanderhoofMuseum POINTS OF INTEREST 1 Vanderhoof Museum, Heritage Park and Trail: The Heritage Park and Trail are situated on the Vanderhoof Museum site . The museum is home to numerous historic buildings and artifacts that tell the story of N Vanderhoof from the early 1900s . 2 Heritage Park: Climb the hill to the gazebo to overlook the Heritage Park . Displays on the heritage of this area, including a caboose you can 0 mm 100m walk through, are located within this park . 3 Bat Box: Bats eat flying insects such as mosquitoes. These bat boxes

16 StPine FRASER have been placed in and around the community to help increase the LAKE population of bats . 4 Mixed Forest: Birch, alder, and spruce trees are the dominant trees species within this mixed stand forest that extends from the low flat VANDERHOOF floodplain and rises up the valley wall. Keep note how the proportion of MUSEUM deciduous to coniferous trees changes as you walk along the trail . 5 Stoney Creek: This location on Stoney Creek was traditionally utilized extensively as a fishing camp for Saik’uz First Nation. Heritage Park & Look for evidence, such as scat and tracks, of moose Heritage Nature Trail 6 Moose and Deer: and deer along this trail . Moose are the largest member of the deer family in North America, and inhabit forests, rivers and wetlands . AveClark 7 Stop, Look and Listen: Stop here and listen for birds and other sounds in the forest. Then look around you at the diversity of wildflowers TRAIL DETAILS and plants in the forest understory . You may be surprised! Trail Distance: 1 .25 km 8 Valley Wall: This hill is the outer southern valley wall of the Nechako River . The valley was formed by glaciers over 10,000 years ago . Trail Rating: Moderate RIP’N THE NORTH Notice the thin layer of soil above this Time Estimate: 45 min 9 Bedrock Outcropping: BIKE PARK bedrock outcropping . This thin soil layer supports the lush understory Wheelchairs: Accessible of this area . For the keen-sighted, look closely at the rock outcropping TRAIL DESCRIPTION to see if you are able to make out the face shapes . This site was once a quarry . This well groomed, wide, moderate elevation, gravel trail runs through the forest behind the Vanderhoof Museum site . The trail is a loop, starting and ending at the 10 Paper Trees: White birch, or paper birch, is known for its peeling parking lot . Along the way visitors will enjoy a look-out spot onto Stoney Creek, bark that has been used over the centuries by First Nations for building wildflowers, mixed deciduous and conifer forest as well as seeing and hearing birds canoes . Look for these trees in this forest . and other wildlife . This trail is appropriate for families and is wheelchair accessible . 11 Mountain Biking Trails: The Rip’N the North Bike Club operates a bike park that is located at the top of the valley wall . Trails leading down HOW TO GET THERE from the bike park to the Heritage Nature Trail are used by mountain Coming from the east, drive on Highway 16 and left onto Pine Street (across from the Kal bikers of all skill levels . Ask at the Visitor Centre for more information . Tire) . From the west, the museum site is on the right at the Welcome to Vanderhoof hillside 12 Understory Vegetation: Shrubs, grasses, berries, and flowers sign . There is ample RV parking in the parking lot behind the Vanderhoof Museum . grow within the understory of the tall deciduous and coniferous trees . Understory plant species provide food for large mammals like bear and moose, habitat for birds and insects, and medicines and food for humans .

4 5 STONEY CREEK NATURE TRAIL Stoney Creek Nature Trail OminecaPOINTS St OF INTEREST 1 Railroad Tracks: This is one of the last stretches of the Grandtrunk Railway to be completed in 1914, just before the grand opening of the trans-Canada line in Fort Fraser . The rail line has trains passing nearly Douglas St every hour transporting lumber, fuels and commercial goods . HABITAT 2 Stop and Look. Fish Habitat!: Stoney Creek is roughly 15km long RESTORATION and flows out of Nulki Lake, Saik’uz First Nation, south of Vanderhoof. Look for boulders and Take a few minutes to gaze over the railing and watch for small fish logs that have been (located near the water’s edge or just under the water’s surface) to large added along the banks trout (in the darker deep areas) below the bridge. Fish use floating and of Stoney Creek . These submerged plants, rocks, and fallen trees as shelter from predators

create habitat for fish and Lampitt Ave (birds and larger fish) and from fast flowing water. Stoney Creek stabilize the river banks . 3 Duckweed: Aquatic plants are important for fish, birds and Nature Trail FERLANDinvertebrates. Duckweed floats on the water’s surface and is highly Learn more about the PARK history of Stoney Creek efficient at purifying the water, and can act as overhead cover for fish and the work being and a landing pad for dragonflies and other invertebrates. If duckweed done on it by reading becomes too abundant it can take over other aquatic plants, and lead to the signs at the Douglas oxygen depletion for fish. Street end of the trail . Columbia St W 4 McIntosh Trail: Enjoy this 2km off-shoot trail on private property to beautiful views of the Nechako River . Please respect private property! 5 Amphibians: Amphibians are cold-blooded animals that regulate their body temperature using the sun . The Western toad and the wood frog are the only amphibians species found in northern BC . Toads prefer drier areas, while frogs can be seen in the water . Silversmith Ave Stewart St W 6 Floodplains: That area a river fills when it breeches its banks is the floodplain. This area, which is often flat and low-lying, has nutrient rich soils that make good agricultural lands . 7 Invasive Species: Invasive species are organisms that are introduced to an area where their natural predators and pathogens do not exist . HIGHWAY Invasive species often take over an area and reduce the number of 16 PARK native plants or animals, which can cause harm . There are over 20 listed invasive plant species in BC, several of which grow along this trail, including Canada thistle and oxeye daisy . TRAIL DETAILS HOW TO GET THERE 8 Wild Foods: Many plants that grow in the Nechako area have provided Trail Distance: 775 m You can park at either end of this trail . This trail is easily food and medicine for First Nations for centuries . Useful plants you may Trail Rating: Easy accessible by foot from the Vanderhoof Museum (across the FIRE see on this trail include black twinberry, wild rose, alder, yarrow and Time Estimate: 30 min highway) . Note that parking from the Douglas St . access HALL soapberry . Refer to Plants and Medicines of Sophie Thomas for more 16 StPine is private property, so please park closeAveClark to the trail head . information . FRASER Wheelchairs: Accessible LAKE 9 Cottonwoods: Named because of the cottony seeds they produce, TRAIL DESCRIPTION Second St E black cottonwood trees are widespread across North America . They This well groomed, wide, gravel trail follows Stoney Creek to the confluence grow along river banks, gravel bars and low lying areas . They are a with the Nechako River . This area has a long history and is important traditional deciduous tree (lose their leaves in the fall), and produce buds in the lands of Saik’uz First Nation. Read the signs along the trail to learn more about spring that contain a sticky substance that can be used as an ointment the history and flora and fauna of this area, with additional signs at the . for cuts or as a glue . 6 7 RIVERSIDE NATURE TRAIL Riverside Nature Trail POINTS OF INTEREST

Murray Hospital Rd 1 Nechako River Kiosk: The Nechako River is home to over 20 species Creek COLLEGE OF NEW CALEDONIA of fish including theendangered Nechako white sturgeon, Chinook Northside Rd Loop Rd Northside Rd and sockeye salmon, as well as many species of birds, mammals, invertebrates and plants. Walk the trail to find out more!

PETER 2 Migratory Bird Sanctuary - Observation Tower: Climb the stairs RODSETH MEMORIAL PARK Ave Burrard to the top of the viewing tower to look over this nationally recognized stopping ground for migrating Canada Geese, swans and many duck species, during their lengthy migration to and from their breeding grounds farther north . RIVERSIDE PARK 3 Deciduous Trees: Black cottonwood are the dominant deciduous & CAMPGROUND trees species along the river . 4 Sturgeon Spawning Habitat: Nechako white sturgeon spawn in this NECHAKO RIVER STURGEON section of the Nechako River . Learn more at the Conservation Centre! BIRD SANCTUARY CONSERVATION CENTRE 5 History of Bridge: The first, single-lane, bridge built in this location

Riverside was in 1916 . It was replaced in 1948 . This bridge was built in 1990 . Nature Trail 6 Bat Box: Bats eat flying insects such as mosquitoes. These bat boxes are Louvain St here to help increase the number of bats in our community . Omineca St 7 Nest Box: These nesting boxes provide important habitat for migratory

Burrard Ave Burrard birds such as goldeneye during the breeding season . In winter, the boxes Douglas St Douglas St are home for different species of birds and small mammals.

WL MCLEOD WETLAND 8 Bank Stability: The banks of all rivers continually erode due to the Vanderhoof Business Centre flowing water, however plants and trees with their roots growing along Victoria St E View St the banks can slow the natural process of erosion . Lampitt Ave Victoria St E Stoney Creek Nature Trail FERLAND 9 Stop and Listen: Stop here and close your eyes and listen . Count the PARK Nechako Valley Connaught St Secondary School number of nature sounds you hear from this spot in one minute . You may

Church Ave

Gracey Ln Gracey be surprised!

Burrard Ave Burrard Across the river from Riverside Creasy Ave Columbia St W RCMP

Rainbow Ave Park is the PeterBute Ave Rodseth 10 Understory Vegetation: Shrubs, grasses, berries, and trees grow TRAIL DETAILS Memorial Park . Enjoy your Stewartwithin St E the understory of the tall deciduous and coniferous trees . Trail Distance: 1 .35 km lunch at these picnic tables Understory plant species provide food for large mammals like bear and

Silversmith Ave Trail Rating: Easy made by Peter and gaze over moose, as well as habitat for birds and insects . Time Estimate: 45 min the beautiful Nechako River . An 11 Conifer Trees: Spruce is the dominant conifer species in this interpretive sign is there that woodland. Conifer trees are more abundant farther away from the river’s Wheelchairs: Accessible talks to the history of the river . edge as they prefer drier soil compared to deciduous trees . TRAIL DESCRIPTION 12 River Habitat: The fastest part of the river is called the thalweg and This easy, gravel trail runs along the beautiful Nechako River from the Migratory Bird is often too fast for fish. The river’s edge and in particular side channels Sanctuary observation tower in Riverside Park to the WL McLeod wetland 1,350 m provide a slower area for young salmon and other fish to live and grow. downstream . Along the way visitors will enjoy stopping at look-outs on the river, meandering Bald eagles enjoy a meal of decaying salmon in the early fall after the through the forest, and seeing and hearing birds and other wildlife . This trail is appropriate Chinook and sockeye salmon runs are over . for families and is wheelchair accessible . Like all trails, please keep dogs on a leash . 13 Mammals: Small mammals, such as mice, squirrels and rabbits, hide among the fallen trees and sandy banks of the Nechako River; HOW TO GET THERE additionally, bear, moose and deer can be seen along this trail at Drive north along Burrard Avenue and turn left into Riverside Park. different times of the year. 8 9 CENTRE

Riverside Nature Trail WL MCLEOD WETLAND TRAIL WL McLeod Wetland POINTS OF INTEREST 1 Wetland Invertebrates: Invertebrates have no backbone and include insects, worms, molluscs, and spiders . Wetlands are full of invertebrates . Look for dragonflies flying in the air, and worms, backswimmers and mosquito larvae in the water . 2 Wetland Plants and Birds: A number of bird species can be seen in this wetland each spring and summer . Sedges, horsetails and cattails Douglas St are common plants that are found along the edges of wetlands . They provide excellent habitat for many bird species including warblers, sparrows, swallows, yellowlegs, and most commonly, red-winged WL MCLEOD blackbirds . Male red-winged blackbirds are known for their distinctive WETLAND call and jet black body with bright red wing stripes . Vanderhoof 3 River Habitat: Along the river’s edge, marsh type wetlands can form. Business Centre At this location, the emergent vegetation in the side channels and back Victoria St E eddies provide a slower area for young salmon and other fish to live and Victoria St E View St grow. Bald eagles enjoy a meal of decaying salmon in the early fall after the Chinook and sockeye salmon runs are over . 4 Mammals: Small mammals, such as mice, squirrels and rabbits, hide Nechako Valley Secondary School among the fallen trees and sandy banks of the Nechako River and the Connaught St thick vegetation of the WL McLeod Wetland . Additionally, bear, moose and deer can be seen along this trail at different times of year.

Gracey Ln Gracey Creasy Ave WL MCLEOD WETLAND KIOSK: TRAIL DETAILS Walking along either the

Rainbow Ave WHAT IS A WETLAND? Trail Distance:Bute Ave 300 m Riverside Nature Trail or Trail Rating: Easy the WL McLeod Wetland A wetland is a transition zone between open water and land . Stewart St E Columbia St ETime Estimate: 15 min Trail will lead you Wetlands form when organic material accumulates and specific Wheelchairs: Accessible straight to the lovely and species of plants, trees, mosses and algae establish. The different welcoming Vanderhoof wetland ecosystems are defined by their location and water TRAIL DESCRIPTION Community Garden . supply . The common wetland ecosystems in this region include The WL McLeod Wetland is a naturally low lying area Members of the garden fens, bogs, swamps and marshes . Each is important for wildlife . that used to be a side channel of the Nechako River . not only tend their Fens are the typical wetland like WL McLeod Wetland, and are Over the past 40 years this area has transformed vegetables and flowers, home to a great diversity of animals and plants . Fens get their into a wetland . Wetland plants, invertebrates and but also mentor, share water from groundwater and runoff sources.Bogs have very birds use this urban wetland as their home . and learn from each acidic soil and are only fed by rainfall . As a result few plant other . Starting at the to view the wetland from the viewing species grow in bogs. Beaver activity on small streams often flood platform and kiosk, then continue down the trail to tree stands and create swamps . Marshes form at the edge of (1) where you can get a close-up look of the plants, bugs and soil of this wetland . Continue to connect lakes and rivers . with the Riverside Nature Trail to loop back . How did it get its name? This wetland, which lies on the property of the school that bears his name, is a dedication to HOW TO GET THERE WL (Bill) McLeod as an outstanding person, naturalist, teacher Drive north on Burrard Avenue and turn right at Victoria and mentor . Street . Park at the WL McLeod Wetland viewing platform . 10 11 NECHAKO WHITE STURGEON CONSERVATION CENTRE Nechako White Sturgeon SELF-GUIDED TOUR

100 years old 0 ANNA 150 kg Sponsored by

urce so e R l OGY o

L o h

O c PH S R ! CT A F N Follow the story of the sturgeon, on this self-guided O U Unel’tsoo M FORM AND FUNCTION F 65 years old HOW THE BODY WORKS LENGTH & AGE 80 kg

The shape of an animal's body or form, FACT! Sturgeon have a How do you measure up? Compared to humans, Adult Life Stage cartilaginous skeleton and sturgeon mature much older than us, and get is directly related to its function, or no teeth! much larger and older. Nechako white sturgeon in other words, tell us a lot about its grow to 3 m long and reach 100 years old! tour around the Conservation Centre that outlines Nechako white preferred habitat, how and what it eats, 1 AGING STURGEON protects itself, and moves through its Like reading rings on a tree stump, the rings of a 40 years old 0 40 kg

environment. fin ray are used to age a sturgeon. The fin rays are 1 Protection the stiff part of the fin. Sturgeon protect themselves by: 1 • counter shading camouflage - dark back and light belly 1 colouring. Feeding DORSAL FIN • armouring of the body with scutes and denticles. Sturgeon feed primarily on the river 1 or lake bottom, but also in the water For stabilizing and • large caudal, dorsal and anal fins for fast swimming. SCUTES sturgeon history, biology, ecology, and conservation . preventing rolling. column. We know because: 1 20 years old The 5 rows of sharp bony plates 15 kg

• wide, flat head Life StageSub-Adult that run the length of the body. 1 DENTICLES • protrusible mouth • barbels 1 Thicks scales.

CAUDAL FIN 1 For propulsion. HEAD 11 Wide and flat. 15 years old 10 6 kg

0 10 years old 1 Sturgeon are pre-historic animals, and Nechako white 4 kg 0 History: ANAL FIN BARBELS VENT Artwork by Loucas Raptis For stabilization. 5 years old 0 Four barbels Juvenile Life Stage STURGEON Where the eggs, milt 2.5 kg PROTRUSIBLE hang ahead of or waste exit the PECTORAL FINS 0 the mouth to body. PELVIC FINS For stabilization and downward movement. MOUTH taste and feel in 2 years old 0 Used for stopping The mouth acts like murky water. 400 g a vacuum cleaner and turning and 0 Movement & Habitat movement up and to suck food off the Sturgeon can move quickly in their deep, fast flowing down the water river bottom (eg. sturgeon have been in this watershed for at least 10,000 years . Over 1 year old 0 CONSERVATION environment to both get away from predators and to prey column. dead salmon), or out 150 g

on salmon. We know because: of the water depth 0 • asymmetric caudal tail (eg. live salmon). • wide and flat body 6 months old, 15 g 01 00 • large fins Larval Life Stages 40 days old, 0.25 g G Egg Life Stage egg, <0.01 g 00 Egg Life Stage WNIN m CENTRE Sponsored by the past 200 years, the environment and pressures on Nechako white SPA IN THE HATCHERY GENETIC DIVERSITY The Nechako White Sturgeon Conservation Centre is one of three Genetic diversity is a way for necessary components of recovery of the Nechako white sturgeon populations to adapt to changing environments - the greater the population. This conservation fish culture program helps populate genetic diversity, the more likely the river while considering genetic diversity there are animals that can survive sturgeon habitat and population have resulted in the population extremes (or changes) in the of the natural population. Heavy Lifting PICKY AND STICKY environment (less food, warmer temperatures, etc.). When all Male milt is collected using a long syringe animals in a population are more and flexible tube, then checked under a This sturgeon was caught two years in a row almost to the day, during adult capture in similar than different the risk to April. Each capture was in a different location, meaning this sturgeon likes to move! Math microscope to make sure that most of the sperm are alive. long-term survival is very high. This sturgeon is young, less than 25 years old and was returned to the river both times GENETIC DIVERSITY Riverside because it was not ready for mating. The females are put upside down in a becoming listed as endangered under the Species at Risk Act . This sign The goal is to produce enough sturgeon stretcher and their bellies are massaged per year to release back into the Nechako to get the eggs out. Sometimes a small River for a minimum adult population surgery is needed to help remove eggs. Biology of 1000 (30-40 years old). To achieve this Once collected, eggs and milt need to stay LET ANNA GO! Nature Trail Angling/Set-lining MALES VS. FEMALES goal, lots of math has to happen. dry until they are ready for fertilization. ADULT CAPTURE Between 10,000-30,000 eggs from each Fertilization happens when the eggs and Remember it is illegal Ideally 12 males and 12 females (1:1 ratio) female is mixed with milt from each male. milt are added to a bowl of water and to fish for sturgeon! Fishing for adult sturgeon begins as soon would be kept for breeding, but varies Up to 144 combinations are possible. fine clay. After a few minutes the eggs are The hatchery requires a as the river is free of ice and warmer (April- year to year depending on the number of More combinations creates more genetic fertilized. The eggs are mixed by hand for introduces us to the Nechako white sturgeon . animals caught during adult capture. 60-90 minutes! The clay prevents the sticky special permit to catch May). Large baited hooks on long lines are diversity in the population when they used. Mature sturgeon are brought back to Animals not in immediate breeding are released back into the Nechako River. eggs from adhering together in a clump. sturgeon for breeding the hatchery and placed in large holding condition are either returned to the river, When these fish are ready to spawn in 20- After, eggs are counted and loaded into purposes. tanks. Immature animals are returned to or females that look like they will be ready 40 years, the genetic diversity will transfer incubation jars. Flowing water is added the river after being tagged and measured. soon, may be kept for up to 2 years. to the next generation. and growth begins.

Volunteers are always

Louvain St needed during spawning time at the hatchery. Visit 2 Sturgeon Carving: Created by Terrace carver Joerg Jung, this nechakowhitesturgeon.org to find out more!

Preparing angling gear for adult capture. A young sturgeon being released back into Checking for egg readiness in mature Collecting thousands of eggs from female Mixing eggs, milt and fine clay together in Fertilized sturgeon eggs in incubation jars the Nechako River during adult capture. females before egg collection. sturgeon to maximize genetic diversity. bowls for fertilization. in the hatchery.

TECHNICAL TERMS FACT! The hatchery can safely house sturgeon up to FERTILIZATION: the mixing of egg and sperm that causes the egg to start developing. 3 m long and has room for up to 30 - 70 kg adults. spruce carving shows the flow of a very large swimming Nechako white WNING MILT: the semen of a fish. SPA IN THE NECHAKO RIVER Sponsored by FACT! If the water or habitat conditions MALES VS. FEMALES are not right, a female may choose to not Sturgeon are broadcast spawners - they release their eggs and Sturgeon are unlike salmon, spawn, re-absorb her eggs and spawn in milt into the water column near the bottom to be mixed. Up to you can not tell a male from another few years. a female at spawning time. To sturgeon . Looking from the tail, can you imagine swimming behind her 750,000 eggs can be released by a single female! tell them apart, biologists do Potential Threats a surgery to look inside their Burrard Ave Burrard bodies! They use a magnifying GLOBAL WARMING lens like the one doctors use to The average temperature world wide is Spring-time look inside your ears. Even an getting hotter, and this can increase spells TRIGGERS FOR SPAWNING experienced biologist may mis- of hot weather resulting in heating of the identify a male verses a female. water temperature of the Nechako River, Spawning occurs during May and June freshet, after the ice melts off the and following her in her travels? advancing both the timing of ice off on river and the water level rises. River water temperature is between 11-13°C the river, and maybe spawning time. when spawning occurs, and sturgeon can spawn in water up to 18°C. Males Females CHANGED RIVER 20-25 Mature 40 years The amount of water in the Nechako River Sinking Eggs years during spawning is very different than it Mating 2 or more was before the Nechako Reservoir was Travel time STICKY AND 3-10 years built. It is believed that timing and amount VULNERABLE Cycle years of flow has changed where sand and silt CONGREGATING gets stored by the river resulting in poor Spawning Fertilized eggs are sticky and quality spawning habitat. Sturgeon can travel long distances quickly sink to the bottom of the from their overwintering sites to the BROADCAST SPAWNERS CHANGED HABITAT river. They stick to course substrate. 3 Education Signs: The Nechako white sturgeon population is spawning grounds near Riverside A gravel bottom is best so eggs can ANNA'S EGGS The lower amount of water in the Nechako Park, right across the street. Sturgeon do not built nests. A be hidden from predators. River means there are fewer times Sturgeon prefer to spawn in fast female releases her eggs while Because sturgeon are so long when the water is flowing high and fast flowing water, 1-3m deep. swimming. Eggs and milt from enough to flush away sand and silt from one or more males are released lived, they reach maturity at a the spawning site that create the right simultaneously when the later age than other fish species. conditions for egg and young sturgeon female has ovulated and river Anna, who is 100 years old, survival. conditions are right. reached maturity about 60 years dangerously low and it is known that survival during the first 40 days SUFFOCATING SUBSTRATE ago. She has lived long enough Eggs are sticky after fertilization. If they to spawn up to 20 times. land on sand or silt instead of gravel the eggs can get smothered and How many eggs is that? not receive oxygen, or the eggs may not stick to the substrate and drift downstream and get eaten by Sturgeon egg smothered in fine substrate. predators. The egg was not able to breath, and died. SUBSTRATE: the rocks, gravel, sand and silt at the bottom of a river or lake. Sponsored by TECHNICAL TERMS SEDIMENT: particulate matter that settles of life up to the first year is low enough that the population cannot Virtually all Nechako white sturgeon eggs and larvae die in the first few weeks after fertilization, on the bottom of a river or lake. E FRESHET: the rapid rise in water level or flood of a river due to heavy CdueL to damaged habitat! E CY rain fall or snow melt. IF FACT! During spawning, females L SURVIVING TO 100 YEARS release approximately 5,000 eggs per kilogram of body weight. The largest R View the wooden mural of

Nechako females like Anna that weigh

S ADULT 150 kg, release up to 750,000 eggs. the life cycle stages. CT Parking A F N U 20 - 100 YEARS OLD • 1-3 m, 15 - 150 kg be sustained . This series of signs provides facts about Nechako white F FOOD HABITAT PREDATORS EGG SUB-ADULT Salmon and Large rivers and lakes in the Nechako AND THREATS 0 - 10 DAYS OLD 15 - 20 YEARS OLD other fish, fish watershed. Adult sturgeon can be very Angling, fisheries, Spawning eggs, and aquatic active and travel long distances. Many disease, water 3 mm, <0.01 g 1 - 1.5 m • 10 - 15 kg invertebrates. overwinter in deeper parts of the Nechako quality, and Fertilized eggs sink and stick to substrate. River and in lakes. changing habitat More than 1.0 m long and not old Maturing They hatch in a little more than a week. enough to spawn. conditions. FOOD FOOD Nutrients from the egg. sturgeon habitat, biology, ecology and conservation, and how human Salmon and other fish, fish eggs, aquatic invertebrates. HABITAT HABITAT Gravel cleaned of silt and sand by swift Deep river pools, back eddies, and slow flowing water during the spring flood. moving areas during rest. Prefer areas with PREDATORS AND THREATS sandy substrate. Sources of mortality include suffocation PREDATORS AND THREATS from sand and silt, disease, large Angling and fisheries, disease, water Artwork by Loucas Raptis fluctuations in water temperature, water quality and human altered habitat pollution, and predation by fish, aquatic actions within the Nechako watershed, from land-use to fish culture and conditions. invertebrates, and birds.

Artwork series by Michael Rees

conservation, impact sturgeon . What can you do to support recovery? Exploring JUVENILE 40 DAYS TO 15 YEARS OLD Hatching YOLK-SAC LARVAE 3 cm - 1 m • 15 g - 10 kg FREE SWIMMING LARVAE 10 - 24 DAYS OLD • 3 mm - 1 cm, <0.25 g Juvenile sturgeon look like an adult sturgeon, just much smaller. 24 - 40 DAYS OLD • 1 cm - 3 cm, 0.25 g Tadpole like. Sturgeon less than 1.0 m in length are considered juveniles. Tadpole like, and free swimming. Because they are so tiny and hard FOOD HABITAT FOOD HABITAT plant cover. to find, little is really known about this stage. Yolk sac. Gravel to hide from predators Trout and small Deep river pools, and stay out of fast flowing PREDATORS fish, aquatic back eddies and FOOD HABITAT water. invertebrates. slow moving AND THREATS Aquatic invertebrates and Likely back-eddies and deep areas. Prefer Larger fish , birds, zooplankton. pools to avoid being eaten. areas with sandy otters, angling. Spin the Wheel of Life to see if you can live to 100 years PREDATORS AND THREATS 4 Wheel of Life: substrate and Growing Fine sediment and sand, lack of suitable habitat, large fluctuations in water temperature, TECHNICAL TERMS water pollution, and predators (fish, aquatic invertebrates, and birds). INVERTEBRATE: animal without a backbone. BACK EDDY: area of a river that is slow, swirls and flows upstream. HAKO RIVER OVERWINTERING HABITAT: location where an animal lives during the winter. C Sponsored by NE THE WATERSHED A WATERSHED IS... old . This game is a fun and interactive way to learn about sturgeon Hwy 37 Approximate Nechako Watershed Land Boundary Nechako River Watershed An area of land where all of 1:20,000,000 White Sturgeon Distribution the water that falls on the land Hwy 37 and Nechako Sturgeon Distribution Approximate Nechako Watershed B.C. Towns drains into the same place. Major Highway

Hudson’s Hope Hwy 37 Agricultural Belt The Nechako River watershed Dam Hwy 29 is outlined in red on the map. Falls urce 2 so e R Tunnel l o It is 52,000 km ! The Nechako

h Germansen Landing c S Hwy 97 S Chetwynd ! River is 290 km long. It's largest survival and threats at each life stage . CT 0 A F N

U 0 - 400 F tributary is the Stuart River. Hwy 97 400.1 - 800 Takla Lake 800.1 - 1,200 Takla Lake Nechako white sturgeon 1,200.1 - 1,600 New Aiyansh Fort Babine distribution is shown in Hazelton 1,600.1 - 2,000 New Hazelton Mackenzie 2,000.1 - 3,000 pink. Land use within their distribution includes agriculture Hwy 97 Tumbler Ridge Nisgaa Hwy Old Fort Hwy 16 (red hatching), forestry, Granisle industry (eg. Kenney Dam), Middle River Tachet Dzitline-Lee and urban developments. All Smithers Teeslee Sturgeon are huge fish. Stand next to this Tachie River these land uses impact the 5 Te lk w a Grand Rapids Measure Up Sturgeon: Trembleur L.

Tl’azt’en river and sturgeon habitat. Yekooche Pinchi Lake Terrace Stuart Lake

Binche Hwy 97 Hwy 16 Donald’s Landing Houston Fort St. James Sowchea Nak’azdli TRAVELING ANNA Wet’suwet’en Nechako white sturgeon Hart Hwy Burns Lake YOU Ts’il Kaz Koh ARE Stuart River move between wintering, Babine Nation Kitimat Endako River HERE

Stellat’en spawning and feeding grounds Francois Lake Fraser Lake painting and see how you measure up - are you as tall as a 15 year old Fort Fraser Nadina River Nadleh Whut’en Francois Lake Cheslatta Fraser Lake Vanderhoof throughout the year. A typical RIVER Lheidli Grassy Plains Skin Tyee Saik’uz FACT! Kenney Dam Skins Lake Prince George adult like Anna may overwinter Cluculz Lake McBride Highway 16 W Spillway Bednesti Hwy 16 Cluculz Lake FRASER was built in 1952. Nee Tahi Buhn Ootsa Lake in Stuart Lake, spawn in NECHAKO Cheslatta Lake The water feeding Tahtsa Lake Vanderhoof, then spend the the Nechako is Chesletta Falls Kemano summer downstream near released from the Kenney Dam Whitesail Lake NECHAKO RESERVOIR

Skins Lake Spillway. Kemano Tunnel (KNEWSTUBB LAKE) Hwy Cariboo Prince George before returning

Chilako River

The water in the Eutsuk Lake for winter. How many kilometres sturgeon? Learn the parts of a sturgeon and how its shape gives us clues Natalkuz Lake Nechako Reservoir Tetachuk Lake would that be? is used to make RIVER LAND USE: Entiako River Hwy 97 power for aluminum changes to the land by human activities. All water, town and highway layers supplied by BC LRDW.Wells smelting in Kitimat. All DEMs supplied by Geobase.ca. DISTRIBUTION: the area of land or water that Projection: PC Albers TECHNICAL TERMS Map Created by: C. S. an animal uses to carry out its life, or the area in which you Quesnel 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 If there are any errors or omissions please contact: will find a particular species of animal. [email protected] 1:900,000 HKilometres AKO RIVER SMELTING: the process of extracting metal from ore using heating and melting. C Sponsored by as to how it eats, moves and lives . NE RIVER HABITAT RIPARIAN ZONE FACT! There are over 30 tributary A river is a complex ecosystem that fish, land The area of land adjacent to a streams to the Nechako River. animals and humans require for survival. body of water. Riparian Zone A healthy riparian zone will: Land Use Food, shade, protection • Reduce energy and speed of flow during floods. River water is influenced from Fallen logs, roots, and plants at the edge the air, land and subsurface. of rivers create slower water flow, shade, • Provide habitat for land and Sturgeon have a very different life cycle compared overhead protection, and structure for 6 aquatic animals. TRAIL DETAILS TOUR DESCRIPTION Life Cycle Carving: Actions by humans in the Water Surface larval and juvenile fish. River banks watershed affect river habitat. with structure absorb energy from the Food, breaching • Store nutrients and Humans use rivers for: river. Small fish, invertebrates, plants and algae that live in shallower water contaminants. Fish feed on invertebrates that fall on provide food. • drinking water the river surface. Sturgeon often breach • Provide structure and stability • recreation out of the water. to river banks. to more familiar species such as salmon . Sturgeon are long-lived and • food fisheries • Filter and reduce energy of • waste water disposal overland flow. Trail Distance: <100 m Guided tours are available year-round at the Nechako Water Column • Regulate water temperature. • hydroelectric energy Food, movement, spawning • industry • Be an area of increased Fish feed on invertebrates and smaller fish biodiversity. • transportation that get swept downstream in the current. Larger fish travel in the water column. • watering farm animals Sturgeon spawn in the water column and spawn multiple times in their lifetime . Follow the journey from egg to • irrigation their eggs get mixed in the flowing water. ANNA'S DINNER Overland & White Sturgeon Conservation Centre at set times, however • urbanization to river edge Anna, like other adult sturgeon, Trail Rating: Easy River Bottom Subsurface feeds primarily on returning Impacts Protection, food Nutrients, pollutants adult salmon. Young sturgeon eat trout, and juvenile chinook • pollution Water that flows over and through the Gravel creates turbulence that gives that spend their first year in refuge to smaller fish. Sturgeon ground gets filtered, but also can pick up • contaminated food chain feed on fish hiding on the bottom. and concentrate nutrients and chemical tributary creeks of the Nechako adult and around again, and the pressures as well as supports on this Sturgeon eggs stick to gravel. Deep pollutants on and in the ground. Loose • low flows and drought River. Habitat quality in these pools provide gathering places exposed soils can get flushed into the river you can walk around the outside of the Centre anytime causing sedimentation. creeks affect salmon survival • loss of riparian habitat including winter habitat for sturgeon. and ultimately sturgeon • depleted nutrients EROSION: survival. gradual wear by Time Estimate: 30 min wind or water. • increased water temperature IRRIGATION: use of river or lake water • erosion and sedimentation TECHNICAL TERMS to water fields. Changes to river habitat impact sturgeon at every life stage. OVERLAND: movement of water and substances over the surface of the land. RE SUBSURFACE: movement of water and fine substances through the ground. • barriers to movement TU species at every life stage. Where do you fit in? CUL SEDIMENTATION: the deposition of fine sediments. H Sponsored by of year and read through the many interpretive signs FIS GROWING FISH! WHAT IS FISH Wheelchairs: Accessible A DAY IN THE LIFE YEARLY CULTURE? A Fish Culturist is someone who raises EVENTS Fish culture is the process of fish. The daily duties of a Fish Culturist raising fish from egg to juvenile or adult life stages in a controlled available to the public . Small, energy efficient pumps circulate up Angling and set-lines are used to catch Self-guided tour brochures here at the Nechako White Sturgeon to 3000 litres of water a minute through adults in the river. Fishing happens day environment. the entire hatchery. and night, as sturgeon often feed at night. Spawning Conservation Centre include: Capturing adults and Food: Commercial hatcheries ☑ Check Facility: Check that all mechanical collecting eggs and milt raise fish for human parts, such as pumps, motors, feeders, and Duties include catching adult sturgeon consumption at a large scale. This the treatment systems are working correctly. in the river, collecting their eggs and includes fish farms for salmon, milt and fertilizing the eggs to start the trout and tilapia. are located at the main entrance (1), and the guide hatchery process anew. ☑ Test Water Quality: Check that the water The water quality monitoring system Sturgeon are inspected in the field to see Angling: Hatchery programs chemistry (eg. ammonia levels), oxygen checks the levels of multiple chemicals in if they are male or female and ready for the water. spawning. that raise trout to stock in levels, and temperature are correct and stable. Juvenile Release lakes to increase sport fishing HOW TO GET THERE opportunities. Often these lakes Releasing 1 year olds back ☑ Observe Fish Health & Behaviour: Watch into the Nechako River can not sustain large natural the animals in their tanks to see if they are populations of trout, but are One year old sturgeon are released into swimming and eating properly. Animals are located in places that are close to leads you around the different points of interest. The the Nechako River each May. These tested for disease periodically. sturgeon will make up the next generation communities.

Various samples are taken from young A female sturgeon being released back of sturgeon that will hopefully spawn sturgeon to test for diseases and genetics. into the Nechako River after brood successfully in 20-40 years. Conservation: Conservation ☑ Feed Adults: The younger fish are fed using capture. urce so e R l o

The annual Release Event allows o

c S fish culture programs function an automated system, but the large adults, people in the community and school ! CT A F to increase population numbers N

U Drive north along Burrard like Anna, that are kept in the larger holding children to be a part of the conservationF tanks are fed by hand. They are fed salmon effort for the Nechako white sturgeon. while considering genetic interpretive materials highlight the important work of and trout. diversity, natural behaviours and environmental conditions of an ☑ Clean: Tanks and the treatment systems need Research at risk population, such as the Nechako white sturgeon. to be cleaned daily to maintain a healthy ABOVE: An adult sturgeon in one of the ABOVE: A one year old sturgeon ready to Biology to Habitat large holding tanks. be released into the Nechako River. environment for the fish. BELOW: Cleaning the tanks. BELOW: Gravel being added to the spawning beds to test egg survival. Research and experiments are done on Avenue and turn right into all aspects of sturgeon life and habitat in the Nechako River. The results are used to make decisions on how to regain a natural the Nechako White Sturgeon Recovery Initiative on FACT! To become a Fish Culturist, you need a degree in Biology self-sustaining population. TECHNICAL TERMSCONSERVATION: preserve, protect or or a Technical Diploma from a fish culture program (eg. VIU, restore to the natural environment or state. BCIT). Volunteering also builds experience and knowledge. SELF-SUSTAINING: the ability to continue in a SERVATION healthy state without outside assistance. N Sponsored by Nechako White Sturgeon CO RESEARCH AND REHABILITATION the endangered Nechako white sturgeon, one of the ENDANGERED Conservation: the preservation, protection or restoration of a natural environment and species. In 2003, the Nechako white sturgeon population was designated by COSEWIC as an Endangered Species, and in 2005 Conservation Centre the species was officially listed HEALTHY POPULATION Brood Capture as an endangered species by the Species At Risk Act (S.A.R.A.). largest freshwater fish species in North America. There are many factors that affect the Adult movement To understand the travel patterns and habitat requirements of adult sturgeon. The listing came from the fact survival of Nechako white sturgeon. that the population size has Research occurs at every life stage and Water Flow dropped so low that there are not enough young sturgeon to the results lead managers to make better Hydrograph and sediment To understand how the (access before the bridge) . current hydrograph affects sturgeon behaviour as well as the replace the number of adults conservation decisions for the species. transport of sediments within the river. currently in the population. By 2050 the population will be functionally extinct without NUMBER OF MATURE Enough mature Habitat individuals for We encourage you to use this as community ANIMALS IN A HEALTHY To understand the habitat immediate conservation successful natural Spawning gravel POPULATION breeding requirements of sturgeon during spawning. measures. To breed without any ill genetic effects (like inbreeding), a

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YOU YOU PLAY THE YOU space and spend an afternoon, have your lunch YOU Populations Survival WHEEL OF Egg to adult To determine what factors most affect LIFE GAME! To play, spin the Fraser River egg and juvenile survival through experimentation and Healthy population distribution observation. Improving by-catch survival. wheel and see if you survive to AGE DISTRIBUTION AND reach 100 years old like Anna! HEALTHY POPULATIONS But, chances are you will die. A healthy population has more young individuals than old. This Nechako River Education and Outreach The actual estimated chance of at the picnic tables, and learn how you can a be is NOT the case for Nechako Too few young surviving to spawning age is white sturgeon. Most Nechako sturgeon People and knowledge 1:1,000,000. white sturgeon die in the Frequency of Sturgeon Frequency first few weeks of life. Adults Research leads to change. Education programs, habitat restoration work, outnumber juveniles more than research sharing, and harm reduction initiatives have come from work done 10 to 1. in the Nechako River on sturgeon. 0 0 0 100 Read about research and projects at... part of Nechako white sturgeon recovery . Age of Sturgeon in Years www.nechakowhitesturgeon.org 12 13 CHILDREN-FRIENDLY Kid-Friendly Stops LOCATION DESCRIPTIONS 1 Ferland Spray Park: Located right in town the playground, spray park and picnic area, with public washroom make an ideal place for families to stop and cool-off. Also in the summer months, find theVanderhoof RIVERSIDE PARK & CAMPGROUND Farmers’ Market at Ferland park on Thursdays! 2 Riverside Park and Campground: The largest park in Vanderhoof, NECHAKO RIVER STURGEON Riverside Park has it all: covered picnic area, large playground for all BIRD SANCTUARY CONSERVATION CENTRE ages, beach for wading, a large field to play and run, beach volleyball nets, and a walking/biking loop path . Take a walk on the Riverside Riverside Nature Trail Nature Trail too! The kids love the paths through the campground, the playground and nature trail . Sani-dump is on-site . Open seasonally . Louvain St 3 This facility is Omineca St Nechako White Sturgeon Conservation Centre: one of a kind in the north . The Nechako White Sturgeon is an endangered Burrard Ave Burrard species, and the conservation centre was built to support their recovery . Douglas St Douglas St Take a guided or self-guided tour of the facility year round, and you may WL MCLEOD WETLAND even be able to see a live sturgeon up close! Vanderhoof Business Centre 4 This area of town is the centre for athletics . Victoria St E Recreation Hot-spot: View St Lampitt Ave Victoria St E Stoney Creek Enjoy the running track, sport fields and tennis courts, next to the curling Nature Trail FERLAND Nechako Valley PARK Secondary School rink, ice arena, and Aquatic Centre . Across the street have fun at the Connaught St Church Ave skateboard park and baseball diamonds .

Gracey Ln Gracey

Burrard Ave Burrard

Creasy Ave Columbia St W RCMP 5 Vanderhoof Public Library: You can sign-out and return books

Rainbow Ave Bute Ave from anywhere in the province using your BC One Library Card . There Columbia St E Stewart St E is a wonderful play area for young children . Computers and internet SPORTS FIELD & RUNNING TRACK Silversmith Ave Stewart St W available for public use . Stewart St E Stewart St E 6 YMCA - Integris Community Centre: Daily activities and camps at the YMCA! HIGHWAY Burrard Ave 16 PARK 7 Stoney Creek Nature Trail: The Stoney Creek Nature Trail is a gravelled, wide path that is perfect for riding a bike or pushing a stroller . FIRE Enjoy the foot bridge over Stoney Creek, and even try catching a fish! HALL 16

16 StPine Clark AveClark 8 Vanderhoof Museum: Kids love to explore the old buildings at the Second St EDESCRIPTION Recreation Ave museum . Restored to look like a 1920s village, the boardwalks, buildings VANDERHOOF Third St Vanderhoof has many locations and activities and train caboose are kid favourites . And the kids will the love pie and MUSEUM YELLOWHEAD HWY geared toward children, from infants to ice cream at the OK Café! Open seasonally . Fraser Ave Fourth St teens . This is a general guide of the best Fourth St 9 Rip’N the North Bike Park: Built for the novice to pro-rider, this bike spots to stop with your children to take a park will entertain your child for hours, maybe even days . The jumps, Fi h St break from the road, or simply enjoy an Clark AveClark slopes, downhill trails and mountain biking trails make this a must stop afternoon. Check with the Visitor Centre for

Nechako Ave for any family looking for a place to rip up the dirt! Open in the winter for a list of up-to-date events happening in the Sixth St fatbikes too! community . There is always something going RIP’N THE NORTH 10 Greer Creek Falls: A spectacular sight for the whole family . Drive BIKE PARK on to burn some energy and have some fun . Dump Road Seventh St on gravel roads to take this moderate walk to Greer Creek Falls and be

Kenney Dam Road PRINCE dazzled by the falls and dense forest . Ask at the Visitor Centre for the GEORGE Wilderness Recreation Guide to get you there . To Wilderness Resorts and Saik’uz First Nation Reserve

14 15 HISTORY AND CULTURE TOUR LOCATION DESCRIPTIONS History & Culture Tour Vanderhoof 1 The Vanderhoof Inn: Known by many names by as many owners, DETAILS Business Centrethis building has a very intersting history. Although building fires were unfortunately common in the early part of the 1900s, this building burnt Total Distance: 1 .0 km Victoria St E down not once, but twice in its 100 year history . Path: Sidewalk 2 The Post Office:The Post Office has moved many times in Time Estimate: 0 75. hr Vanderhoof’s history. At first mail arrived by foot or horseback from Wheelchairs: AccessibleFERLAND Quesnel and the office was located on the Telegraph Trail. In 1914 after Nechakothe Valley railway was open, a second Post Office was opened in town south of TOUR DESCRIPTION Secondary School Connaught St the tracks, and over the course of 40 years moved three times ending up Take a walk through in this location in 1953 . Vanderhoof and get an Church Ave 3 Cozy Corner Pizzeria: This building is one of the originals buildt in “up close” look at the 1916, and moved to this location in 1920, it was home to Nechako Drug buildings and spaces Burrard Ave Burrard Store as well as Ice Cream Parlour . This restaurant showcases a series of that were influential historic photos of Vanderhoof . in the development RCMP and formation of the 4 Vanderhoof Department Store: This store has been a staple in this Bute Ave community . This walk takes community for nearly five decades. The fashions inside have kept up you through the downtown with the times, yet the building has remained relatively unchanged since core, which has been the Columbia St E its construction around 1920 . main strip for commerce 5 North Country Inn: The office building of the North Country Inn was since the mid-1920s . Many the home of Herbert Vanderhoof . Vanderhoof came from the USA to plan buildings and facades the community, yet his plan did not hold . He died before the community are the original and each was incorporated in 1926. Vanderhoof means ‘of the farm’ in Dutch. has a story . Then take a 6 Anglican Church: This little church has stood on this corner since 1932 . drive to the Vanderhoof Stewart St E The charming interior and stained glass work has made this church a Museum for an in-depth wonderful place of worship as well as a sought after venue for hundreds look into our local history . of weddings over the years . 7 The Reid Hotel: This large building was moved here by hand in the mid-1920s from its construction site south of the railway tracks - the Burrard Ave original location of Vanderhoof’s downtown. Frequent flooding at the original site caused the move from south of the tracks . Visit the Vanderhoof 8 Grand Reo Theatre: Once a parlour, a merchant shop and now a movie theatre, this building has stood at this corner with its original Museum to purchase facade for 90 years . A true landmark of the community . your copy of As the VANDERHOOF 9 Service Canada: Step into this building to view a spectacular wooden River Flows: Life MUSEUM 9 sculpture built by late local artist Peter Rodseth . This massive piece Along the Nechako portrays the history and culture of the area . River, that detail the 10 Vanderhoof Museum: A place to step back in time and learn about stories behind many the life and history of the people of Vanderhoof . The museum is located of the buildings in on a culturally significant location for Saik’uz First Nation. The museum Vanderhoof . take visitors through our history highlighting First Nation traditions, the early settlers, and some of our most famous residents including Rich Hobson and Mary John Sr .

16 17 BIRD WATCHING HOT SPOT Bird Watching Hot Spots DESCRIPTIONS 1 Nechako Migratory Bird Sanctuary: Home to thousands of Canada

Snell Rd Geese each spring and fall, this migratory bird sanctuary at Riverside Park is a haven for a wide diversity of birds - including if you are lucky

American Pelicans . All summer see Eagles in the tree-tops, or Osprey and Loop Rd Nature Guide Refer to OF THE NECHAKO VALLEY Belted Kingfishers diving for trout. Take a walk along the Vanderhoof

VANDERHOOF page 19 COMMUNITY TRAILS Community Trails system to see many more birds including songbirds, as Visit one of the in the Nature well as some mammals too . Guide many lakes in the 2 Ponds and fields along Northside Road: Turning right after the for more To Waterlily area for more great Lake Trail bridge, drive slowly along Northside Road . There are many ponds on information. Sturgeon Pt Rd either side of the road that offer a great view of shore birds and ducks. bird watching Keep an eye on the fence posts, power lines and open fields to get a opportunities! glimpse of a gliding Northern Harrier, or a Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk or Merlin watching the fields for movement. Further along Northside Road is one of the last remaining dairy farms in the region . Here in the fall, you

will find hundreds of Trumpeter Swans. 3 Waterlily Lake Trail: This trail is a big part of Vanderhoof’s history Health Centre Rd

Vanderview Dr and great for wildlife . Take a walk into the forest along the marked trail . Listen for songbirds, woodpeckers and grouse . Return here in the

Northside Rd evening and spend some time calling out an owl (see below) .

Murray Hospital Rd Creek COLLEGE OF NEW CALEDONIA Northside Rd 4 Snell Road: Stop your car at the culvert crossing on Snell Road . The Loop Rd Northside Rd creek below is Murray Creek, a salmon bearing stream and part of the PETER Murray Creek Rehabilitation Project . Look for a variety of duck species RODSETH MEMORIAL PARK Ave Burrard here during spring and fall migration, and in the summer as some pairs remain here to breed . You may also spot Mountain Bluebirds, Cedar Waxwings and more . RIVERSIDE PARK & CAMPGROUND 5 Peter Rodseth Memorial Park: On a warm summer day five species of swallow can be seen from this riverbank viewing area . These birds NECHAKO RIVER STURGEON BIRD SANCTUARY CONSERVATION CENTRE come to this location each spring and stay for the summer to hatch their clutches. This spot is also a photographer’s dream during the start of DETAILS river melt and the Trumpeter and Tundra swan spring migration . Starting Point: Riverside Park off of Burrard Street How to Call Out an Owl: You may not see an owl on your first Total Distance: 20 .0 km attempt, but be patient . The reward of spotting an owl is worth it! Roads: Paved and Gravel 1 Although owls can be seen during the day, they are more active at Time Estimate: 2 0. hr night . Arrive at dusk . Wear high visibility clothing for safety . TOUR DESCRIPTION 2 Bring a flashlight and a ecordingr of an owl call (find a good App). The Nechako Valley in general is a great place to see birds . Thousands of 3 Mimic an owl call or play the recording . Canada Geese and swans migrate through Vanderhoof each fall and spring . 4 Wait quietly for several minutes - call again . Repeat about 5 times . This loop tour is an example of where to start your birdwatching expedition . 5 If you hear fluttering in the trees or a return owl call, turn on your Be sure to let your sense of adventure take you to different places in the area, flashlight and point it into the high branches of the trees. Look for a or ask at the Visitor Centre . This tour starts at the Nechako River and takes you reflection of the owl’s eyes. to agricultural fields, forest stands and back again on paved and gravel roads. 6 Repeat this procedure at a number of locations for best results . Go at dawn or dusk to see a different assortment of birds, including owls. 18 19

Nature Guide Pick up the TO THE NECHAKO VALLEY Quick Nature Guide for Guide to Animal Signs more tips and facts TREE HOUSES Rabbit, hair and (1) about the (1) TRACKS (1) Back feet squirrel tracks have two Many animals use trees local area. Front feet www.vanderhoof.ca Animal tracks can be small front feet followed for food and shelter . found in dirt, mud, sand by two larger back feet . Look for woodpecker and snow, making them (2) Ungulate tracks have two (1) Woodpecker holes in a holes in deciduous standing dead tree - called visible any time of year . long oval shaped toes . When (2) the animal is running or is in trees like aspen and a wildlife tree . Habitat for Scan the ground when soft mud, the toes will be more cottonwoods, and conifer birds and mammals . you go for a walk, and spread apart . The size of the trees such as pine . (2) An example of what you will be surprised by track indicates which species: can happen to a tree Woodpeckers use these when a moose or deer how many animal tracks moose ~15cm long; elk ~12cm long; deer ~9cm long . (3) holes to find insects to rub their antlers in the you will find. The shape (2) (3) To tell bear tracks apart, eat . The small hollow late summer or fall . and size of the track can look at the claw marks . Grizzly cavities left behind make (3) When a tree dies and tell you the species, as bear tracks have distinct and excellent homes for small falls, insects, worms and well as what the animal long claw marks, while black songbirds, like Northern other invertebrates, and fungi was doing . A good ID bear claw marks are less breakdown the wood fibre Creepers . Larger cavities into finer organic material. guidebook is essential noticeable . This is a grizzly bear track in the mud . are used by some duck Eventually the tree is turned if you are serious (4) Cattle in this area range in species or owls, as well back into nutrient rich soil to about making precise fields and forested areas. Don’t as small mammals like foster new seedlings . Bears identifications. mistake their ‘patty’ for that of squirrels . and other mammals search a bear’s. A cattle patty is very these fallen trees for ‘bugs’ THE END PRODUCT large, lumpy and full of grass . Deer, elk and moose, to feast on . A fallen tree offers a wealth of benefits (5) Bear dropping often along with other animals, You can identify an to the forest ecosystem, and (3) have berries . The food feed on forest plants is a great place to look for animal by what it leaves content will vary depending and shrubs year round . fungi, insects, worms and behind - droppings, or on the time of year and Ungulate teeth make other invertebrates . If you scat . Ungulates, rabbits the availability of food . (4) diagonal cuts on plant find an upturned logs (rotten and grouse leave solid stalks . Look for neatly side up) on the forest floor, pellets — the size of the pruned shrubs and you it is quite likely a bear was pellet indicates the size by looking for bugs to eat . Ocean minerals are will know a deer, elk or of the animal . important nutrients (4) Ungulates like to nip the moose had been by . tops off plants and twigs, (4) Bear and other large found in northern forests. Migrating Moose and deer will rub or fallen branches for food . mammals leave piles . salmon travel to the their antlers on trees to Usually you will notice a large Bear scat often contains patch of pruned plants . Nechako River to spawn scratch, which can take berry seeds . Beavers use trees to each fall. After spawning off a strip of bark leaving (5) When searching for bats they die and mammals, build their home, leaving a scar on the tree . behind a very distinct looking or owls, you can look at such as bear, eat the (5) decaying fish . The (5) Beavers cut down trees stump . Their large front teeth the base of a tree for their carcasses are dragged near rivers and wetlands make smooth bite marks or scat - it will be a small from the river and the grooves on the stump . An to make dams to flood example of a typical beaver tight packet with bits of nutrients are released areas for them to build stump . Look for these near fur and bone . into the soil . their lodge . ponds, lakes and rivers . 20 21 from BlackPressoriginal. Photo Credits:AnneroseGeorgeson,NorthCountryInn,WayneSalewski,MichelleRoberge,District ofVanderhoof,BobWall.Mapsmodified For more information aboutthisguide,pleasecontact: Copyright © 2019Vanderhoof Visitor Centre, Printed inCanada [email protected] Vanderhoof Museum & Located at4781stStreet, POBox 297 Facebook: @districtofvanderhoof 250-567-4711 (off-season) @vanderhoofmuseum VisitorCentre www.vanderhoof.ca Vanderhoof, BC 250-567-3374

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