Bushwacking through dense shrubs and skunk cabbage may not be everyone's cup of tea, but for Edith Tobe, habitat biologist and executive director of the Squamish River Watershed Society (SRWS), it's a walk in the park.
She is showing off a couple of the key areas identified for an amphibian wetland habitat enhancement project, tucked in among the urbanization of downtown Squamish. Although hardly noticed by most, the small pocket of wilderness plays a vital role in protecting the town from floods. Recently, the SRWS is working to create habitat to support a tiny endangered wetland resident, the red-legged frog.
The site is referred to as the Britannia Slough Sub Basin and is located on both sides of Highway 99, north of the Adventure Centre, west of Loggers Lane and south of Finch Drive.
"The Mamquam River, up to 1920, flowed right where we are walking," Tobe explained during a stroll along Loggers Lane. The area was heavily logged over the years, she said.
"This was all originally estuary habitat," she said, "so by diking and putting roads in, we have really altered the area. The wetlands are important because they act as a giant sponge that filters out any contaminated materials in the water and during flood events they store all that water, and prevent floods from occurring."
Tobe said that during the 2007 highway upgrades, existing wetland habitat for red-legged frogs, a blue-listed or "at risk" species, were negatively affected, so the B.C. Ministry of Transportation provided money to re-create the habitat in an adjacent area.
Covering approximately 5,000 square metres, the area - designated as a greenway and recreation corridor - is ideal for such a project, Tobe said. Last December the District of Squamish passed a motion to support an amphibian wetlands restoration project on district lands and allow SRWS access to carry out the work.
Describing the project's progression, Tobe said the first step was to find the perfect habitat for the frogs. "We brought a wetland specialist up from Kentucky in April to help identify wetland restoration sites," she said, adding that 10 wetland sites were chosen.
"We were targeting red-legged frogs but we were not limited to red-legged frogs. As a habitat biologist, you're always looking for creating habitat for a variety of species because you need a healthy ecosystem to make a healthy red-legged population."
Tobe pointed out an area designated as a pilot wetland site, just off the trail. It will be accessible to the public and will showcase what the wetlands can do.
"As you can see, this is an area which would normally have water in it and is all dried up, even though it had a very wet season," Tobe said. "We are severely lacking in permanent wetland habitat in this whole area. The red-legged frogs need pools that will hold water until early August - they need open canopy and they like warm water."
GPS in hand, Tobe led the way through the thick bush to another site.
"We will excavate down to approximately three to five feet to mimic having water in it until the end of July, and dry in August," Tobe explained. "Lots of natural vegetation, such as native grasses, will be planted around the perimeter to protect from invasive species.
"When we start clearing, we will be doing it in a manner that is very environmentally sensitive," she said. "For example, the skunk cabbage here will be carefully scooped up and then replanted around the periphery so there will be minimal disturbance. Whenever you see excavator work, it looks messy at the time, but in two to three months after the replanting you'll never even know we've been here.
"So we will take a lot of care. Any logs that are providing habitat (nursery logs) will be carefully moved aside and put back as they are to protect the animals that live in them."
For Tobe, the project represents a new dimension to SRWS' work.
"I'm really excited about this project. The watershed society takes a very holistic approach towards watershed management... and it is really nice to expand from the fisheries work we have been doing over the past few years."
The work on the pilot site is set to begin in August, with ongoing monitoring by SRWS to continue over the next five years. Contact SRWS on [email protected] for more information on the project.
