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Home , Robson Bight, Vaseux Lake

Robert Bateman Program e are delighted to be a sponsor of around. He believes that introducing Wthe Robert Bateman Gettoknow students to wildlife is an important fi rst program to help young Canadians connect step towards increasing student empathy with other species which live in their for their well-being and helping them A newsletter on how The Nature Trust works to keep B.C. beautiful communities. Bateman believes that in understand why wildlife habitat must order to raise a generation who will care be protected. This school-based program for the planet, we must begin by teaching will be piloted in Vancouver area schools Conserving One of ’s Most Endangered Ecosystems them the ABCs of environmental literacy. during the 2005/2006 school year. For The problem, as he describes it, is that we more information and to fi nd out how Canada’s youngest Major General in 1944. funding from FortisBC, Environment live in a society where youth recognize to order a Robert Bateman calendar Canada, the Habitat Conservation Trust 1,200 corporate logos and fewer than 12 featuring artwork by children from across Bert Hoffmeister Fund, BC Trust for Public Lands and species of wildlife in their communities. Canada, visit the Gettoknow website at a private donor. This is Phase II of the Bateman wants to turn these numbers www.gettoknow.ca/products_calendar.htm War Hero, Antelope brush Conservation Area. Phase Forestry Executive I was acquired in December 2004 and and Conservationist encompassed 40 hectares (100 acres). THE NATURE TRUST Honoured We are fundraising for Phase III which consists of 55.5 hectares he Nature Trust is honouring the (137 acres). In addition to the rare sstafftaff nnewsews T founding chair, Bert Hoffmeister, Antelope-brush ecosystem, Phase III The Honourable who led the organization for 20 years features a riparian section along the IONA V. CAMPAGNOLO, PC, CM, OBC and left an amazing legacy of conser- River. This river is the seventh Lieutenant Governor of BC vation properties as well as a coopera- most endangered river in the province Honourary Patron tive approach to acquiring land through according to the BC Outdoor Recreation PETER SPEER, FCA partnerships. A sign will be installed at Council (2005). One of the remaining Chairman of the Board Scout Island in Williams Lake this fall Antelope-brush habitat is one of Canada’s top four endangered ecosystems. Sockeye Salmon and another is in the planning stage for am really pleased that The Nature this property worthy of protection— spawning areas within the Okanagan Directors of The Nature Trust: . If you would like to help Trust has been able to make Preble’s shrew and the seed bug River watershed is located just south of DARYLL HEBERT, PHD “I GEORGE KILLY with this lasting tribute, please send this purchase,” said Dr. Geoff Scudder, Cordillonotus stellatus Scudder.” the property. This Nature Trust project DONALD KROGSETH ason Northcott joined The Nature your donation designated to the Bert one of BC’s leading scientists and In June The Nature Trust secured will permit habitat restoration activities DANIEL NOCENTE JTrust as the Conservation Specialist Hoffmeister Recognition Signs. director of The Nature Trust. “In my 67 hectares (166 acres) of one of to target Columbia River Sockeye, CARMEN C. PURDY in July. Originally from Newfoundland, research in the South Okanagan, I Canada’s most endangered ecosystems Yellow-breasted Chat and Western GEOFF SCUDDER, PHD, D PHIL ROD SILVER he has a Bachelor of Science in forestry collected two species in particular located just south of Screech Owl. To make a donation for FRANCES VYSE and environmental management from which are of great interest and make between Oliver and with Phase III, please contact us. JIM WALKER the University of New Brunswick and a ROBIN WILSON Master of Science in fi shery and wild- C.C. (KIP) WOODWARD life sciences from New Mexico State A Day in the Life of a Warden Directors Emeritus VERNON C. (BERT) BRINK, OC, OBC, PHD University. His dream has been to live By Doug Sandilands ebb tides try to push them into Queen IAN McTAGGART-COWAN, OC, OBC, PHD and work in BC since he was a tree Warden Program Charlotte Strait and away from the Issue #23 Features: planter here many years ago. We are streams and rivers to which they are Sturgeon Education DOUG WALKER delighted to welcome him. s I lie in my tent with my toque drawn. Killer whales and fi shermen Program ...... 2 Executive Director pulled over my eyes, waiting for the have learned their hiding spot and fi nd MacMillan Bloedel CEO. A Conservation Youth Crews . . . . . 3 PATRICK OSWALD alarm to go off, I’m jerked awake by the the salmon easy prey. Over the last Leadership Giving Eco Tours sound of blows resonating 10,000 years, killer whales have also Cowichan Estuary ...... 5 through the fog. I leave the warmth of my come to know this shoreline as a place The Nature Trust of The Nature Trust sponsors Eco Robson Bight ...... 6 #260-1000 Roosevelt Crescent tent and notice killer whale dorsal fi ns to rub on smooth pebble beaches. The North Vancouver, B.C. V7P 3R4 Tours with local naturalists in Phone: 604-924-9771 or 1-866-288-7878 order to view wildlife and rising off our campsite on West Cracroft Warden Program—that has brought me Fax: 604-924-9772 conservation areas. Check our Island—directly across here over the last fi ve years—began in Email: [email protected] from Robson Bight Ecological Reserve. 1987 in order to educate boaters about Website: www.naturetrust.bc.ca website at www.naturetrust.bc.ca in early 2006 for bird watching Robson Bight is a deep notch out of the ecological reserve and the whale Charitable Corporation #10808 9863 RR0001 tours connected with the Brant the eastern side of northern Vancouver watching guidelines. Natural Legacy is copyright ©2005 by The Nature Trust of British Columbia, Festival on and Island between Campbell River and Port As I enter the fi eld camp headquarters, #260 - 1000 Roosevelt Crescent, other tours. Hardy. The Bight serves as a resting a keen new volunteer has just put on the North Vancouver, B.C. Canada V7P 3R4. Killer whale at Robson Bight, page 6 The Nature Trust of BC Chair. spot for migrating salmon when strong Continued on page 6…

8 i The Nature Trust of British Columbia www.naturetrust.bc.ca i 1-866-288-7878 1-866-288-7878 i www.naturetrust.bc.ca The Nature Trust of British Columbia i 1

TTNTNT FFallall NNewsletter.inddewsletter.indd 108659108659 1-21-2 110/5/050/5/05 33:57:42:57:42 PMPM THE NATURE TRUST HSBC Sturgeon Education Program ssponsoredponseeventsovreendt seventsevents Fire Restoration World Rivers Day

Focus on the Aquatic Ecosystem of the Lower Fraser River he HSBC Fraser River Sturgeon Edu- richness, the human threats to its sur- T cation Program focuses on the aquat- vival, and the pathways toward envi- ic ecosystem of the lower Fraser River ronmental sustainability. The strategies and its marine estuary. This biologically include developing lesson plans, printed rich environment exists literally in the materials, educational presentations, backyard of Lower Mainland residents. and web-based communications. These The program will target elementary materials will be linked to Social Stud- school children and First Nations com- ies and Science in Grades 3 to 6. The munities in Vancouver, Burnaby, New lessons and related presentations will be Westminster, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge– ready for use in pilot classrooms between Pitt Meadows, Mission, Fraser-Cascade September and December 2005. This (Hope), Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Langley, program is sponsored by HSBC Bank of Surrey, and Delta. The sturgeon will be Canada, The Nature Trust and the Fraser used to teach environmental responsi- River Sturgeon Conservation Society. bility and ecological conservation. This World Rivers Day was celebrated on September 25 on the Englishman River on Vancouver Island. We are delighted that species, that has outlived the dinosaur Question from sample lesson Dave Lindsay of TimberWest provided a covenant on 8 hectares and survived two ice ages, is the larg- The old-growth forest is home to many wildlife (20 acres) of riverside land to Tim Clermont of The Nature Trust. est freshwater fi sh in North America. True or False: species including elk and black bear. White sturgeon are at the top of the Fra- White sturgeon have 2 rows of teeth. 21st Commodores’ Cup ser River food web, and are one of the False. The white sturgeon have $150,000 to Go few year-round resident species of fi sh Junior Race no teeth at all. Their mouth extends MacMillan Provincial in the lower Fraser River. out like a vacuum cleaner hose, and Park Expansion The key messages of the program will they siphon food from the bottom focus on an understanding of this shared of the river. e want to express our apprecia- “backyard” environment, the biological Wtion to all the donors who have Fire restoration activities have been ongoing since the Vaseux supported the expansion of MacMillan Lake wildfi re in the South Okanagan in 2003. Our appreciation to Provincial Park on Vancouver Island. Weyerhaeuser for providing $40,000 to assist with invasive weed control, planting native species and monitoring. When we had the opportunity to almost double the size of this world renowned park with its ancient Douglas fi r trees, Youth Climate Conference our fi nancial commitment was $500,000. With the generous assistance of many The Commodores’ Cup supporters, including family members Junior Race, the largest Youth of Mr. H.R. MacMillan, we have raised Training Regatta in Canada, $350,000. If you would like to help us was held in September. reach our goal, please contact us. Top: Patrick Oswald of The Nature Trust with Commodore A.B. Donaldson. The Nature Trust has played a Right: The Commodore with Alex Ninow, winner key role in both the establish- of the Laser Radial Class ment and contribution of key (Photo: Jerome Kashetsky). infi ll private properties to 11 BC Provincial Parks. For more details, visit our re-designed website at The Honourable Stephane Dion and Alysia Garmulewicz, www.naturetrust.bc.ca/articles.php Director of the Youth Climate Change Conference in Victoria. This juvenile white sturgeon is likely two years old (Photo: Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society).

2 i The Nature Trust of British Columbia www.naturetrust.bc.ca i 1-866-288-7878 1-866-288-7878 i www.naturetrust.bc.ca The Nature Trust of British Columbia i 7

TTNTNT FFallall NNewsletter.inddewsletter.indd 108659108659 3-43-4 110/5/050/5/05 33:57:50:57:50 PMPM Robson Bight: from page 1 The Joy of Getting Your Hands Dirty coffee and turned on the hydrophone. It sounds like G Clan calls and is likely the I15 matriline that appeared in Johnstone uch of the on-the-ground habitat restoration work on participating in the most regions: Vancouver Island, South Strait yesterday. Staff and volunteers scramble to make M Nature Trust properties is tackled by Conservation Youth Okanagan, East Kootenay and partnering with Ducks Unlimited sandwiches and grab apples for their day at the monitoring Crews from May to August with some extending into the fall Canada in the and Chilcotin Plateau. station—a 45-minute hike over logs and up several steep hills. season. This year we had the largest number of young people Carrying the day’s equipment, I stagger through the inter- tidal boulder fi eld, slippery with the kelp of low tide on my way to our rigid hulled Zodiac. I head out with Sara, a student from Quotes from Conservation Youth Crew Members England who has just fi nished a Master’s thesis on hawksbill turtles. We motor slowly towards the ecological reserve, scanning for whales and the vessels that follow them. We spot a group of kayakers near the western boundary of the reserve. Vessels, including kayaks, are asked to remain outside of the reserve to ensure that the whales are not disturbed while they forage for salmon and rub on the beaches. Outside the reserve the whales are likely to encounter whale watching boats, kayaks, cruise ships, ferries, tug boats, commercial and Robson Bight Ecological Reserve and Adjacent Protected Areas sport fi shermen, sailboats, and researchers. Much as humans mentioned the ecological reserve and the whale watching rely on their sight, killer whales rely on sound to communicate, guidelines. However, as this is the fi rst time they have used navigate and locate their food. Like bats, killer whales send out a nautical chart they were not sure where the reserve started. “echolocation clicks”, small pulses of sound that are refl ected They also claimed confusion about the guidelines. The kayakers Nanaimo crew member Ben Atwater are directly in the path of the whales and they all have their “This job has been helpful in learning how to identify The Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve was cameras out. They will get good pictures but, as these whales different plant and animal species as well as how to established in 1982, as a result of strong local lobbying will encounter vessels several times an hour, there is mounting test the oxygen gas concentrations in water and even Invermere crew supervisor Marco Marrello efforts. BC Parks established the reserve to provide evidence that this seemingly benign encounter may disrupt the some basic bioengineering.” “On each of the conservation properties we are trying a sanctuary for killer whales. The Nature Trust acquired activities of the whales. to install public information signs as well as wildlife 38.06 hectares (94 acres) at the mouth of the Tsitika We drop our hydrophone overboard and let the kayakers viewing areas for everyone to enjoy from young River in the middle of the reserve which facilitated the listen to the vocalizations that the I15s are making. As part children to grandparents.” expansion of the ecological reserve from a marine reserve to include adjacent land that has now been expanded to over of G Clan, the I15s make sounds that have been likened to 500 hectares (1,235 acres). donkeys. We hear several “eee-ahhhs” and see a whale surface in the distance. by objects such as fi sh, boats and the seafl oor. However, We contact several more vessels entering the reserve. None research is showing that noise from propellers and engines have the latest nautical charts showing the reserve boundaries. impedes the effectiveness of echolocation. After a few trips in and out of the reserve to rub on the According to “Eagle Eye”, the kayakers have entered the beaches and feed near Blackney Pass, the killer whales ecological reserve. The monitoring site known as Eagle Eye continue into Blackfi sh Sound and activity dies down in is where our volunteers spend most of their time, helping to Johnstone Strait. Our sister program, Straitwatch, will monitor Williams Lake crew member Allison Mumford locate whales and the boats that watch them. Using a high vessel activity around the whales as they head away from the “My parents own a ranch in Alexis Creek along the power spotting scope located 50 metres above sea level on West reserve. It’s now six thirty—time to start thinking about dinner Chilcotin River and I had never thought it was an issue Cracroft Island, Eagle Eye monitors an area that includes the and paper work. The evening light dims as we motor back to with the horses and cows drinking out of the river. But entire Ecological Reserve and several kilometres of shoreline on camp and see blows off to the east. The hydrophone tells us I have now realized there are stewardship practices either side, an impossible task for a warden standing on a boat. it’s A Clan whales returning from a trip towards Kelsey Bay we can change to maintain the habitat along the river. We manoeuvre alongside the three kayaks. These paddlers and Campbell River. They will likely meet up with the I15s They will benefi t the cows as well as the wildlife and South Okanagan crew member Nick Burdock under- are from California and this is the fi rst time they have seen tomorrow. The weather forecast is for more morning fog and insects that live there.” taking photo monitoring in the White Lake Basin killer whales. The shop where they rented their kayaks gale force northwest winds for the afternoon. Can’t wait.

There are approximately 215 northern resident killer whales. Resident killer whales feed almost entirely on salmon. Partners on Our Conservation Youth Crews The whales spend their lives with their mother and her BC Conservation Foundation Ducks Unlimited Canada other offspring in groups of three to fi fteen animals known BC Ministry of Environment Habitat Conservation Trust Fund as matrilines. There are three Clans in the northern residents: A, G, BC Ministry of Transportation Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and R. Clans are groups of matrilines that share at least BC Trust for Public Lands Shell Environmental Fund some calls with other matrilines of their Clan. To avoid Canadian Wildlife Service TD Friends of the Environment Foundation inbreeding, northern residents tend to mate with members Columbia Basin Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program Weyerhaeuser Jobs for Youth Program of other clans. Columbia Basin Trust The whale watching guidelines state that vessels should keep clear of the path of whales (see www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species/marinemammals/view_e.htm).

6 i The Nature Trust of British Columbia www.naturetrust.bc.ca i 1-866-288-7878 1-866-288-7878 i www.naturetrust.bc.ca The Nature Trust of British Columbia i 3

TTNTNT FFallall NNewsletter.inddewsletter.indd 108659108659 5-65-6 110/5/050/5/05 33:58:01:58:01 PMPM Conservation and Restoration of the Cowichan Estuary

By Tim J. Clermont Vancouver Island Wetlands Manager

he Cowichan estuary near Duncan T on Vancouver Island is one of the Giving Nature A Caring Hand top 10 critical wetlands on the coast of British Columbia. This is a spectacular ooking out of my offi ce window I am struck by the beauty place for bird watching. Over 200 bird L of the fall leaves in a nearby park. In only a few short species live here throughout the year months 2005 will conclude and so it seems an appropriate and thousands of waterfowl can be time to refl ect on our organization’s position after 34 years found here each winter. This estuary serving the conservation interests of British Columbia. also provides important rearing habitat When The Nature Trust was founded in 1971, the focus was for all seven Pacifi c salmon species. on acquiring ecologically sensitive land at the greatest risk Beginning in the late 1800s, over 40% Cowichan Estuary before habitat restoration of being lost. Since that time the focus has changed to in- of the intertidal estuaries of Cowichan corporate the acquisition as well as the management of these Bay, including the Cowichan River es- critical habitats. We believe that environmental stewardship A fencing crew in the East Kootenay. tuary were diked to create arable land through land management is the true measure of our success • fi sh counts on the Englishman River carried out by part- for hay and industrial uses such as log as stewards of BC’s natural capital. Today, land management ners including the Pacifi c Salmon Foundation, Mid Vancou- storage and shipping. In 1925 an exten- represents 70% of our annual operating budget. ver Island Habitat Enhancement Society, and Fisheries and sion of the Canadian National Railway Environmental stewardship encompasses an incredible Oceans Canada to assess how restoration work has affected was built on the Cowichan River estuary variety of activities large and small, highly technical and fi sh populations. to connect inland logging operations highly physical. It includes: • monitoring post-wildfi re restoration activities in the Vaseux with coastal access. Additional diking • the restoration of riparian habitat along the Englishman Lake area of the South Okanagan to assess how different occurred from 1962 to 1984 to create River on Vancouver Island by youth crews and volunteers strategies for seeding and weeding affect plant and animal more agriculture lands and the Doman to ensure that invasive weeds are removed and native plants communities. Sawmill was developed. have the chance to grow. • bird counts in the Okanagan to monitor how keeping live- In 1985, The Nature Trust began • sponsoring community workshops on invasive plants, envi- stock out of water sources has impacted riparian-dependent acquiring key parcels of Cowichan estuary Cowichan Estuary after habitat restoration showing lush riparian growth. ronmental fi eld trips and youth activities such as the Com- bird species. lands. In 1986 while we were negotiating The PECP working with industry was Conservation efforts spanning two modores’ Cup and Youth Climate Change Conference • installing information signs that identify how people can for the purchase of another parcel we a key to success. The Canadian National decades have made a huge difference in enjoy a wildlife viewing experience without damaging frag- were surprised to learn we were competing Railway intertidal wetlands (Lot 160) restoring the environmental health and ile habitat. with Ducks Unlimited Canada. The were transferred to the Crown for fi sh productivity of this important Vancouver • maintenance on properties such as invasive weed control, Nature Trust and Ducks Unlimited and wildlife protection as long as the Island estuary. Today virtually no logs removing garbage and repairing fences. realized a partnership would be more existing log storage leases and lumber can be found within storage leases on A basic premise of The Nature Trust’s acquisition and effective and in 1987 the Pacifi c Estuary industry were allowed to continue oper- the intertidal mudfl ats. Stewards led management of sensitive habitats has been that, over time, these Conservation Program (PECP) was formed ations (approximately 75% reduction in by the Cowichan Valley Land Trust sites will receive the management and maintenance necessary with the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund, log storage leases had occurred from the are now replanting eel grass beds. The to ensure that the long-term ecological and habitat values BC Ministry of Environment, Fisheries peak). From 1985 to 1990 PECP worked Nature Trust Conservation Youth Crews for which they were acquired is achieved. The complexities and Oceans Canada, Canadian Wildlife with industry and the local community have been busy controlling invasive and ramifi cations of good stewardship planning and practice Service, and Nature Conservancy of Canada to secure 9 parcels totalling 308 hectares plants along the dikes and within the refl ect on us as we move forward. This is what we will be (The Land Conservancy joined later). (770 acres) of the Cowichan estuary. 100-year-old Maple Grove which has measured by down the road. To say the least, this is a become a landmark for those travelling challenge in a time of reduced public funding, ever-growing on Cowichan Bay Road. Recent bird Have you ever seen a group of long legged competition for recreational access, and reductions in birds scooting along the edge of the water with use studies conducted by The Nature provincial wildlife/park staff. their heads down searching for their next meal? Trust have recorded higher waterfowl Giving nature a caring hand costs money. Support If so, you’ve probably been looking at Western densities for some species within restored for operational needs is often the most diffi cult to raise, Sandpipers—or one of their close cousins. In Cowichan estuarine habitats than all yet it is a vital and rewarding part of our conservation migration, the Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri) other BC estuaries including the number efforts. We are very appreciative of the support from our travels in huge fl ocks, particularly along the Pacifi c one ranked Fraser delta. Coast. In breeding season, the Western Sandpiper wonderful donors, and we need to increase our fundraising can be found on coastal tundras feeding on insect The Cowichan River estuary on Van- efforts. Please let other interested people know about our larvae. In the winter it can be found on mudfl ats, couver Island is a wonderful conserva- work and opportunities to help by passing along this newslet- beaches and lakes, ponds and fl ooded fi elds dining tion success story. It demonstrates what ter or referring them to our website at www.naturetrust.bc.ca. on crustaceans, marine worms, and other aquatic can be achieved when individuals and Together we can ensure the many benefi ts of nature are invertebrates. (Photo: Mike Yip) organizations have a common vision for Molly Schneider: future Commodores’ Cup participant. available to future generations. habitat restoration.

4 i The Nature Trust of British Columbia www.naturetrust.bc.ca i 1-866-288-7878 1-866-288-7878 i www.naturetrust.bc.ca The Nature Trust of British Columbia i 5

TTNTNT FFallall NNewsletter.inddewsletter.indd 108659108659 7-87-8 110/5/050/5/05 33:58:04:58:04 PMPM