2004-2005 Community Action Fund BRITISH COLUMBIA Environmental Education & Stewardship Program: Eagle Watch Volunteer Interpreter Program & Songbird Stewardship Project Squamish Estuary Conservation Society Squamish River Area IBA, British Columbia The Squamish River has been identified as the most important wintering area for Bald Eagles within B.C., with a world-record count in 1994 of 3,769 Eagles. In the winter the Eagles congregate in the hundreds to feed on their most important food source post-spawning chub salmon. It is not only Eagles that congregate at this site, but people also come in large numbers to view this spectacular site. In an effort to minimize viewer disturbance the Squamish Estuary Conservation Society began the Eagle Watch Volunteer Interpretive Program. This community-based volunteer program teaches residents and visitors about wild bird populations and their habitat needs and how to minimize viewer disturbance to wintering Bald Eagles and other migratory birds. This 9-year-old program is recognized as a model of volunteer environmental stewardship. The Squamish Estuary Conservation Society will also deliver a new initiative, the Songbird Stewardship Project. This project will work to preserve local bird populations through in-depth education programs and workshops aimed at creating, restoring and preserving songbird habitat. Wintering Swan Education Program (Year 2) Kamloops Wildlife Park Society South Thompson River IBA, British Columbia Travelers along the TransCanada Highway near Kamloops speed past what they often mistake as fragments of floating ice along the South Thompson River. Only a few dedicated naturalists are aware that these are no ordinary ice floes and that the area is an important winter destination for globally significant numbers of Trumpeter Swans. The calm waters of the South Thompson River provide excellent foraging habitat for this wintering waterfowl and as many as 100 to 400 Trumpeter Swans, representing approximately 2 per cent of the global population, forage in the region. This year the British Columbia Wildlife Park will continue its environmental education program about Trumpeter Swans. Last year marked the first year of this program and activities included the production of an interpretive museum exhibit about Trumpeter Swans as well as the development of a teacher guide entitled “Wintering Swans”. In year two, this not-for-profit group will create an interpretive map of the South Thompson River IBA, which will be augmented by educational programs designed to increase awareness of the swans found locally. The programs will foster habitat conservation and teach the public how they can minimize human impact. The problem of habitat degradation caused by cattle incursion on the river, increased recreational activities, introduction of non-native invasive species and development within riparian areas will be addressed. Birds on the Bay, Celebrating Boundary Bay Friends of Semiahmoo Bay Society Boundary Bay-Roberts Banks-Sturgeon Bank (Fraser River Estuary) IBA, British Columbia The Fraser River Estuary IBA is located near the city of Vancouver and is one of the richest and most important ecosystems for migrant and wintering waterbirds in Canada. The most numerous species found at this IBA is the Western Sandpiper, with one-day estimates of at least 500,000 individuals during spring migration. A few of the other 320 bird species found at this IBA include Great Blue Herons, Lesser Snow Geese, Peregrine Falcons and Black-bellied Plovers. The Friends of Semiahmoo Bay Society is a marine estuary focused stewardship group who will be continuing their work in support of the IBA's bird conservation priorities through educational and interpretive activities for the community. Activities including training workshops in data collection, removing non-native plants, habitat restoration and slide presentations and interpretive walks that will serve to integrate conservation with public awareness. Top     back to map