Skwelwil'em Squamish Estuary Wildlife Management Area | |
---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) [1] | |
Location in British Columbia Location in Metro Vancouver Regional District | |
Location | Squamish, British Columbia, Canada |
Coordinates | 49°42′46″N123°10′12″W / 49.71278°N 123.17000°W |
Area | 673 ha (1,660 acres) |
Designation | Wildlife Management Area |
Established | 28 February 2007 |
Governing body | FLNRORD |
Website | Skwelwil'em Squamish Estuary Wildlife Management Area |
The Skwelwil'em Squamish Estuary Wildlife Management Area is a wildlife management area on the south coast of British Columbia. [2] It was established in 2007 for the management of fish species as well as terrestrial wildlife. [3] The wildlife management area is on the traditional territory of Squamish Nation, which is involved in management of the area. [4] The freshwater of the Squamish River mixes with the saltwater of Howe Sound, resulting in a varied ecosystem containing different habitats that support an abundance of wildlife. It also provides natural flood control for the Squamish town sites. [5]
The Squamish Estuary has seen modification from human activities, both historically and in the present. Threats to the estuary stem from industrial development and human land usage, such as mercury contamination, accumulation of dredge spoils, and an oil spill in 2006. [5] In the late 1970s, the Squamish River was at risk of being diverted for the construction of a proposed deep sea coal port. [6] This was halted by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. The Squamish Estuary Coordinating Committee was thereby formed in 1979 with the purpose of managing land and water uses of the Squamish Estuary with all involved parties' interests in mind. [5] [6] As of February 2007, the Squamish Estuary is a designated wildlife management area under the Provincial Wildlife Act and is being managed under the 2007 Skwelwil’em Squamish Estuary Wildlife Management Plan. [4] [5]
The estuary has been historically managed by various organizations since its establishment in 1970, with a focus on local administration and protecting the species that reside within it. The management planning process for the Skwelwil'em Squamish Estuary Wildlife Management Area was carried out in collaboration with the Squamish Nation and with input from parties and sources such as the Squamish Estuary Management Committee, the Ministry of Environment, the BC Wildlife Act, and the Federal Migratory Birds Convention Act. The management goals for the territory are centered around the protection of fish and wildlife, usage of an integrated management approach and related research activities, and acknowledgement of the land's cultural significance to the Squamish First Nation. [5]
The estuary is situated upon the Squamish First Nation, with an agreement in place between them and the province of British Columbia aimed at ensuring a collaborative effort in managing the park, fostering active communications, developing proactive strategies, providing opportunities for the Squamish First Peoples to share their cultural heritage, and acknowledging the relevance of their community’s stewardship and partnership initiatives. [5]
The wildlife management area encompasses the delta of the Squamish River where it enters Howe Sound. [4]
The Squamish Estuary mixes freshwater from the Squamish River with seawater, forming a unique ecosystem with high productivity and high biodiversity. It contains varied habitats such as marshes, mudflats, intertidal shores, seagrass beds, tidal streams, and barrier beaches. Its geographical features also contribute to water filtration and thus lead to a more pristine marine environment, as well as mitigating flood risks around the region. [5]
The estuary provides important spawning grounds for salmon and other fishes, as well as terrestrial habitat for native mammals like cougars, beavers, black-tailed deer, and black bears. [3] It is a critical resting and overwintering site for migratory birds and is suitable habitat for hundreds of bird species, making the estuary an area with high bird diversity. It is also home to reptilian and amphibian life. [5]
Wintering bald eagles flock to the estuary from December to February to feed on spawning salmon. They are Canada’s largest congregation of bald eagles and make up nearly 3% of the global bald eagle population. Salmon runs are also known to attract other waterfowl to the area, such as goldeneyes and mergansers. [7]
Several species at risk or of special concern are protected by the wildlife management area. They include the bull trout, red-legged frog, peregrine falcon, and marbled murrelet. [5]
The estuary is home to three distinct environments in terms of plant life: aquatic, estuarine, and terrestrial. Commonly seen vegetation includes aquatic phytoplankton and algae that thrive in the water, estuarine rushes and grasses in the salt marsh habitats, and terrestrial shrubs and forest vegetation typical of the Coastal Western Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone. [5]
There are two plant species at risk: the Henderson’s checker-mallow and Vancouver Island beggarticks. [5]
Estuary ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Increasing temperatures cause sea levels to rise, which not only affects the geography of the estuary due to flooding, but also the salinity levels of the ecosystem due to changes in discharge. Climate change degrades threatens the habitats of native species and erodes plant communities. [5] [8]
The Squamish estuary is an integral part of flood control for the Squamish town site. However, its physical and chemical composition has changed significantly due to human activity. In the 1970s, large quantities of dredge spoils material were deposited into the estuary for a proposed coal port that was blocked by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and never constructed. [5] [6] Past industrial activity has also resulted in pollution; notably, a former chlor-alkali plant led to mercury contamination of sediments on the southeastern side of the wildlife management area, with most of the contamination residing beyond its boundaries. [5] [9]
Despite these issues, the Squamish Estuary Wildlife Management Area continues to act as an essential part of the local ecosystem and remains highly productive in protecting local wildlife. Although its primary purpose is to ensure a viable habitat for fauna and flora, recreational activities occur throughout the park too, including various trails, wind sports, and hunting and fishing with vehicular access available. [3] [5]
The Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park is a National Marine Conservation Area, one of three in the Canadian national park system, located where the Saguenay River meets the Saint Lawrence River. This park is jointly managed by Parks Canada and Sépaq. It is the first park in all of Canada to protect a purely marine environment, and covers a surface area of 1,245 km2. The area that is now the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park is a part of the Innue Essipit First Nation's land claim, and a treaty resulting from this claim could impact activities that are practiced within the park. The region surrounding the park is an important part of the history of Canada, being one of the first points of contact between Indigenous Peoples and European explorers and the birthplace of the intercontinental fur trade.
The National Estuarine Research Reserve System is a network of 30 protected areas established by partnerships between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and coastal states. The reserves represent different biogeographic regions of the United States. The National Estuarine Research Reserve System protects more than 1.3 million acres of coastal and estuarine habitats for long-term research, water-quality monitoring, education, and coastal stewardship.
Fathom Five National Marine Park is a National Marine Conservation Area in the Georgian Bay part of Lake Huron, Ontario, Canada, that seeks to protect and display shipwrecks and lighthouses, and conserve freshwater ecosystems. Parks Canada has management plans for the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, with a multi-action plan for species that are at risk, including endemic species, the Monarch butterfly, the eastern ribbonsnake, and the eastern whip-poor-will. The aquatic ecosystems in the park are also of particular interest. Many fish, shellfish, amphibians, and eels are an attraction for naturalists in the park. Much of this wildlife is accessible to scuba divers and snorkellers in the park. The many shipwrecks make the park a popular scuba diving destination, and glass bottom boat tours leave Tobermory regularly, allowing tourists to see the shipwrecks without having to get wet. Additionally, there are three main popular hiking trails found within Fathom Five National Marine Park that provides visitors with views of old growth forests and the Georgian Bay. The Saugeen Ojibway Peoples have inhabited the Bruce Peninsula and the area that is now Fathom Five National Marine Park for thousands of years. This land provided for their communities and their people with the plethora of wildlife and plant life. They provide the local knowledge about Lake Huron and its ecological value to the reserve, park, and their overall livelihood. Parks Canada and Saugeen Ojibway People's collaboration is said to yield a benefit to both parties with regard to overall ecosystem knowledge.
A salmon run is an annual fish migration event where many salmonid species, which are typically hatched in fresh water and live most of the adult life downstream in the ocean, swim back against the stream to the upper reaches of rivers to spawn on the gravel beds of small creeks. After spawning, all species of Pacific salmon and most Atlantic salmon die, and the salmon life cycle starts over again with the new generation of hatchlings.
The Tantramar Marshes, also known as the Tintamarre National Wildlife Area, is a tidal saltmarsh around the Bay of Fundy on the Isthmus of Chignecto. The area borders between Route 940, Route 16 and Route 2 near Sackville, New Brunswick. The government of Canada proposed the boundaries of the Tantramar Marshes in 1966 and was declared a National Wildlife Area in 1978.
The Coquitlam River is a tributary of the Fraser River in the Canadian province of British Columbia. The river's name comes from the word Kʷikʷəƛ̓əm which translates to "Red fish up the river". The name is a reference to a sockeye salmon species that once occupied the river's waters.
The Colorado River Delta is the region where the Colorado River flows into the Gulf of California in eastern Mexicali Municipality in the north of the state of Baja California in northwesternmost Mexico. The delta is part of a larger geologic region called the Salton Trough. Historically, the interaction of the river's flow and the ocean's tide created a dynamic environment, supporting freshwater, brackish, and saltwater species. Within the delta region, the river split into multiple braided channels and formed a complex estuary and terrestrial ecosystems. The use of water upstream and the accompanying reduction of freshwater flow has resulted in the loss of most of the wetlands of the area, as well as drastic changes to the aquatic ecosystems. However, a scheme is currently in place which aims to rejuvenate the wetlands by releasing a pulse of water down the river delta.
Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada, located on the Squamish River adjacent to Brackendale, a suburban neighbourhood of Squamish. It is notable for its bald eagle population during the winter months and is inaccessible to visitors.
Elkhorn Slough is a 7-mile-long (11 km) tidal slough and estuary on Monterey Bay in Monterey County, California. It is California's second largest estuary and the United States' first estuarine sanctuary. The community of Moss Landing and the Moss Landing Power Plant are located at the mouth of the slough on the bay.
The wildlife of Canada or biodiversity of Canada consist of over 80,000 classified species, and an equal number thought yet to be recognized. Known fauna and flora have been identified from five kingdoms: protozoa represent approximately 1% of recorded species; chromist ; fungis ; plants ; and animals. Insects account for nearly 70 percent of documented animal species in Canada. More than 300 species are found exclusively in Canada.
Kanaka Creek Regional Park is a regional park of the Greater Vancouver Regional District, located in the city of Maple Ridge, British Columbia, flanking both sides of Kanaka Creek from its confluence with the Fraser River just east of Haney and extending approximately 11 km up the creek to just south of the community of Webster's Corners. The Maple Ridge Fairgrounds are just east of the lower regions of the park, beyond them is the community of Albion. Derby Reach Regional Park is just across the Fraser in Langley.
Vaseux-Bighorn National Wildlife Area is a National Wildlife Area in British Columbia, Canada, primarily set aside to protect winter rangeland for California bighorn sheep. In 1979, the Vaseux-Bighorn Wildlife Area was established in response to substantial reduction in wild animal populations in the area. Identified factors contributing to species decline at the time were high predator population, overharvesting of species, and illegal hunting. Land development, cattle raising, and lumbering also might have altered species populations. Under these conditions, the area was able to be classified as a Category IV area by the IUCN and is now used for wildlife habitat and conservation. Even with minimal anthropogenic use of the area, threats persist through invasive species. Recreational use is limited spatially and is only open to the public during the day.
The Qualicum National Wildlife Area (NWA) was officially established in 1977, under the Canada Wildlife Act (1973). The primary objective of the Qualicum NWA was to conserve crucial habitats for migratory birds and various other species.
Widgeon Valley National Wildlife Area is a National Wildlife Area located near the south end of Pitt Lake in British Columbia, Canada. The property was purchased by the Nature Trust of British Columbia in 1973 and declared a National Wildlife Area by the Canadian Wildlife Service in October of that year. The Widgeon Valley National Wildlife Area is a biologically diverse marsh wetland. It is the traditional territory of various First Nations groups. The Widgeon Valley Wildlife Area is a protected wildlife area that is home to a number of sensitive waterfowl and fish species. The public uses the channels through the Widgeon Valley National Wildlife Area for recreational canoeing, anywhere else within the protected area is strictly off-limits to the public. There are future plans to develop interpretive trails through the park and open it to the public.
Located in the southern part of British Columbia, Columbia National Wildlife Area was established to protect its wetlands and as a temporary home for migratory birds travelling to South America. The National Wildlife Area (NWA) is divided into four unit areas: Wilmer, Spillimacheen, Brisco and Harrogate, which are home to many diverse species of animals and plants which are significant in Canada.
Boundary Bay Wildlife Management Area is a wildlife management area encompassing the entire Canadian portion of Boundary Bay in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. It was established by the British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNRORD) on 21 June 1995 to conserve critical habitat for migratory bird species and resident fish and marine mammal species. It is part of the larger Fraser River Delta Ramsar Site.
White Lake Grasslands Protected Area is a conservation site located in the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen of British Columbia, Canada. It was established on April 18, 2001 by an order-in-council under the Environment and Land Use Act to protect the semi-arid grassland and pine forest ecosystem west of Vaseux Lake.
The Serpentine Wildlife Management Area is a small wildlife management area located on the south coast of British Columbia in Surrey. It contains many kilometers of walking trail and viewing towers to enjoy the nature and observe the many species found in the area. Although the boundaries have changed over the years, the Government of British Columbia still manages the land to ensure it meets the currents goals that were set in place to protect the local and endangered species that inhabit the area as well as monitoring the effects of climate change. This is done in partnership with Ducks Unlimited Canada, although the land falls within the territories of the Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen First Nation.
The Esquimalt Lagoon Migratory Bird Sanctuary is a migratory bird sanctuary near Esquimalt Harbour in Colwood, British Columbia. The Esquimalt Lagoon is found on the traditional territories of the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations. The park was established in 1931 with the objective of creating a safe haven for migratory birds, and has become a popular place for birdwatching. Many other species can be found within the park, such as coho salmon and cutthroat trout. Pacific herring also spawn in nearby waters.