Conservation
Habitat Restoration & Conservation Projects
Sharp-tailed Snake Habitat
A new resident was discovered in Pemberton – the Sharp-tailed Snake. This is a red-listed species, meaning it is very rare across its range with the only other known populations located on the Gulf Islands and Southern Vancouver Island. Surveys in 2012 confirm a breeding population exists here.
We are always interested in your observations, even if you have no idea what it is! If you would like to know more about something you have seen, just let us know the location and habitat, distinguishing features and a photo if possible.
In 2022, we received funding from the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District to protect Sharp-tailed Snake habitat and relocate a popular mountain bike trail. This project was completed in collaboration with the Pemberton Valley Trail Association to “restrict access to this important piece of habitat while still making sure that the trail use in the area is maintained, given how popular mountain biking is in Pemberton”. To learn more about this important work check out Veronica Woodruff’s, Stewardship Pemberton co-founder and board member, interview with the Pique on this project and Veronica’s presentation on youtube.
This project was made possible thanks to funding from the Whistler Community Foundation, Pemberton Wildlife Association, BC Conservation Foundation and Pemberton Valley Supermarket, with in-kind support and equipment from the PWA, BC Community Bat Program, BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, Quest University and local stakeholders, along with many hours of volunteer assistance.
Bird Species at Risk Pemberton
During the spring and summer of 2019, Stewardship Pemberton Society and the Pemberton Wildlife Association partnered to help address current and growing threats to the Pemberton area species and habitats by undertaking local on-the-ground actions to further the conservation of four bird species at risk: Western Screech-Owl, Great Blue Heron, Barn Swallow and Common Nighthawk. Project activities focused on understanding the status, specific needs and threats facing these species through collaboratively working with others to conduct inventory, monitoring and outreach.
Initiated by the PWA in partnership with SPS; this project, titled Studying and Conserving Bird Species at Risk in Pemberton, British Columbia, has greatly increased our understanding and conservation of the above target species and their habitats, helping to protect their intrinsic rights and extrinsic ecological, social and economical values for the local, regional and global community. Data collected and shared through this project has contributed to, and will continue to contribute to, a greater awareness of these species and their needs.
Bat Conservation Pemberton:
Understanding, Appreciating, and Stewarding Pemberton’s Bats
Stewardship Pemberton Society and the Pemberton Wildlife Association (PWA) joined forces in 2019 to further our appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of bats and their habitats in Pemberton. Initiated by the PWA in partnership with SPS, this project allowed SPS and the PWA to work collaboratively to inventory local bat populations while providing outreach and education to the Pemberton community.
Through surveys, a total of nine species of bats were detected. Data from these surveys has been contributed to broader bat conservation initiatives, such as the BC Community Bat Program and North American Bat Monitoring Program. As a result of this collaborative project, there is now a solid foundation for continuing work in Pemberton to steward bats and their habitats.
This project was made possible thanks to funding from Patagonia Environmental Grants Program (Tides Foundation), Bird Studies Canada and the Baillie Fund Trustees on behalf of the Ontario Eastern Bluebird Society, Pemberton Wildlife Association and Pemberton Valley Supermarket, with in-kind support and equipment from the PWA, Fraser Valley Conservancy, Pontus Lindgren, Quest University and local stakeholders, along with many hours of volunteer assistance.
Salmon Conservation and Restoration
River of Humble Beginnings Salmon Restoration Project
This significant multi-year salmon restoration project is taking place on the Lillooet River South, with the first of three phases currently underway. This project was initiated by the Pemberton Wildlife Association in partnership with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and funded by Department of Fisheries and Oceans Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnership Program. Matching funds and support has been provided by SLRD, Pemberton Wildlife Association, Stewardship Pemberton Society, Innergex, Ecofish, Lil’wat Nation and Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. Over 35 volunteers turned out to plant trees, build fencing and construct instream structures in October 2015. Stewardship Pemberton Society was pleased to support the Pemberton Wildlife Association in their salmon restoration project and look forward to seeing the success of this project.
One Mile Lake Off-Channel Habitat Construction – Summer 2012
This is the second phase of work controlling the inflow and outflow of One Mile Lake. The first phase in 2009 reconstructed the outflow of One Mile Lake and a great trail was installed by the Rotary Club of Pemberton from the bridge connection from the Community Garden. In partnership with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and funded through BC Hydro, in 2013 the inlet to the lake was reconstructed. An intake provides cold, glacial water to enter One Mile from Pemberton Creek (installed by the PWA in 1991). Though the intake was working well, the channel was filling in and beavers were working hard to keep the water out of the lake. The new channel is designed to discourage beaver activity and provide a consistent flow of water to the lake. This water provides excellent habitat for coho salmon and cutthroat trout, reduces weed growth by limiting the sunlight penetration and flushes the lake of standing water. Coho fry, among other species, have already been spotted making their new homes in this new habitat. Similar to the outlet project, the excavated material could be used to create a new trail as funding allows. Local residents volunteered their time and efforts on BC Rivers Day to replant the area with native species.
Riffle Pool Sequence
Stewardship Pemberton Society worked with the Pemberton Wildlife Association and all of our fantastic volunteers who came out to lend a hand at our annual B.C. River’s Day celebration. Together we installed two riffle pool sequences within One Mile Lake Park – aimed at increasing spawning habitat in the local area. Great work team!
Stream of Dreams
The Stream of Dreams Murals Society provides an award-winning program through watershed education and community art. Every student at Signal Hill and École De La Vallee De Pemberton as well as 2016 BC Rivers Day attendees participated in this unique offering, over 600 participants in total. The purpose of the mural is to inspire everyone to protect and conserve water to ensure a healthy future for rivers, lakes, oceans, and communities. Each participant learned about the watershed and how to keep it healthy.
Made possible through funding from the Pacific Salmon Foundation, Village of Pemberton and the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District.
Whistler-Pemberton BioBlitz Project 2017 & 2018
Stewardship Pemberton has been honoured to work with the Whistler Naturalists to bring BioBlitz to Pemberton over the years. This project brings in over 50 scientists specialized in their fields come from near and very far to observe, record, report and compile amazing information about the biodiversity that exists in our back yards.
A huge thank you to Sitka Foundation for their contributions towards BioBlitz 2018.