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    Home » Environment

    Endangered Species in British Columbia

    Published 29 March 2017 by Liz Gardner | Leave a Comment

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    On reading the 2016 field guild "Species at Risk in BC" I was amazed at the number of species of flora and fauna endangered or at risk. More amazing is the fact that British Columbia does not have any Endangered Species Legislation.

    As we spend a large amount of time camping we are especially interested in wildlife often seeing wild animals and birds when camping. Also our yard borders a relatively large green belt  "wildlife corridor".  At varying times we see deer, black bear, (hear) coyotes, raccoons, rabbits, frogs ... snakes, bats and a pair of owls. This does not include the wide variety of birds and insects living in our gardens.

    Blue Heron fishing BC coast
    Blue Heron fishing BC coast

    Threats to Survival or Recovery

    This is the list, by classification, of greatest threats to species, starting with the highest occurrence:

    1. Man made such as forestry, mining, urban expansion, recreation vehicles i.e "habitat fragmentation"
    2. Poisoning with chemicals with some species more susceptible than others
    3. Climate Change, such as breeding cycle changes, migration, feed loss, habitat decline
    4. Introduced or invasive species including plants
    5. Increased Disease and natural causes

    Crossbreeding is also an emerging threat to the wood bison and the polar and grizzly bear

    Currently, about 7000 wood bison remain in the wild, located in the
    Northwest Territories, Yukon,
    British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba
    - Wikipedia

    Barn Owl - endangered species
    Barn Owl - endangered species

    Endangered Species

    A large number of species, especially endangered species, living in distinct habitats need to have larger areas of land set aside with limited / restricted entry. For example:

    • Preserve old growth forests for endangered plants such as Tall Bugbane (Page 63)
    • Set aside more grasslands and marshlands for the threatened Barn Owl (Page 5)
    • Widen the areas along all waterways and prohibit logging to allow cooling of creeks and streams for salmon spawning. See Riparian Zones & Aquatic Fish Habitats (Pg 15) "Land Development Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Habitat" (1993)
    • Prevent toxic chemicals from flowing into human and animal habitats through leaching of farm or industrial water runoff (see earlier)
    • Restrict use of chemicals in mining, forestry (to kill undergrowth), rights of ways (glyphosate)

    "Every year, millions of miles of roads, utility lines, railroad corridors
    and other types of right-of-ways (ROWs) are treated with herbicides
    to control the growth of unwanted plants"

    ~ Pesticides and You

    Common Mule deer - B.C.
    Common Mule deer - B.C.
    Bald eagle, Spring 2016
    Bald eagle, Spring 2016
    Grizzly Bear - Victoria Museum
    Grizzly Bear - Victoria Museum
    Big Horn Sheep - Southern BC
    Big Horn Sheep - Southern BC
    Pileated Woodpecker - Central BC
    Pileated Woodpecker - Central BC
    Snake on bug patrol in strawberry patch
    Snakes found throughout BC

    What We Can Do

    • Educate ourselves and our children about our local species
    • Visit a travelling Species at Risk Museum from Royal BC Museum
    • Plant wild flowers to attract Monarch butterflies and other insects and birds
    • Vote for politicians who will represent what you believe at all levels of government
    • Volunteer at a local conservation, salmon hatchery, environmental organization i.e. clean creeks and rivers
    • Plant indigenous trees and wildflower species on your property or in your area where permitted
    • Help eradicate invasive species or plants
    • Do not release imported or unknown species of frogs, turtles, snakes or other animals into the wild. They can endanger indigenous species with the spread of disease and taking over habitat

    This is an ongoing concern with more and more species becoming extinct each year. We need to take care of our environment both for humans and wildlife

    When camping ~
    “Take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footprints!”

    ~ Chief Seattle

    Pine Marten - Northern BC
    Pine Marten - Northern BC

    Links & References

    • BCWF Town Hall Meetings to learn more about fish & wildlife & BC Habitat
    • British Columbia Species at Risk - engagement ended November 30, 2016. Log on for updates
    • Environment and Climate Change in Canada
    • BC  Legislation, endangered species and West Coast Environmental Law
    • B.C. Government - Species & Ecosystems at Risk
    • Endangered species - the Vancouver Island Marmot
    • CAP article on Great Blue Heron Sanctuary in Chilliwack, BC
    • Wild Pacific Sockeye Salmon Survival 
    • Potential Effects of Climate Change on Ecosystem & Tree Species Distribution in B.C
    • How Wolves Change Rivers. 5 minute video on what happened when wolves were re-introduced to Yellowstone National Park in 1995
    • 90% of U.S. wildfires are caused by humans
    • Reducing water pollution around your home
    • Ideas to attract bees and other insects to your garden
    Wildfires are disastrous and can cause massive loss of wildlife & habitat. Always put out your camp fire

    More Environment

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      A Visit to the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre
    • Peaceful ocean waters at low tide
      Staying "cool" at Home during a Heat Wave
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    Hi, I'm Liz! I have been a happy gardener all my life. My goal on this blog is to share tips and resources to help you learn how to garden too. Passionate about all things "healthy". Life long learner and asker of "how".

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