Low Water At Ginty’s Pond Highlights Need For Continued Investment In Watershed Restoration
For nearly four decades, wildlife biologist Al Peatt has kept a close eye on Ginty’s Pond, a wetland in the semi-arid, desert-like climate of B.C.’s Similkameen Valley. In 1990, under his leadership as one of the founding directors of the Southern Interior Land Trust (SILT), the organization acquired the property to protect its wildlife habitat and recreational values.
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nʔaʕx̌ʷt – Ginty’s Pond Wetland Restoration
Restoration of the nʔaʕx̌ʷt – Ginty’s Pond wetland at Cawston exceeds targets!
Abundant wildlife, cultural use, and nature-related recreation have returned to SILT’s nʔaʕx̌ʷt – Ginty’s Pond wetland at Cawston in the Similkameen River watershed. Two of a planned three phases of restoration to return the aging wetland to more productive open-water habitat, and to create new species-at-risk habitats, are complete.
Planning and fund-raising for a final Phase 3 recovery effort next year are underway. Stewardship activities in 2025 included monitoring of wildlife use and planted trees and shrubs, planting more ‘emergent’ aquatic plants—those that grow along the water’s edge, cattail mowing to prevent future encroachment, and building and maintain relationships with pond neighbours and community volunteers.
Securing the confidence and support of donors, grantors, project partners, and neighbours is key to sustaining SILT and nʔaʕx̌ʷt – Ginty’s Pond forever. Project partners include the Lower Similkameen Indian Band, the BC Wildlife Federation, and the BC Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship. Key funding for Phases 1 and 2 included the Healthy Watersheds Initiative, BC’s Together for Wildlife Fund, Canada’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program, the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Nature Trust of BC, and Wildlife Habitat Canada.
Without further financial support, the final Phase 3 restoration is at risk! Please help us reach our goal of raising the $168,000 project cost. To contribute, contact apeatt@siltrust.ca or visit www.siltrust.ca/donate. You’ll be making a lasting contribution to nature, community, and the long-term health of the Similkameen River watershed.
And, if you own property near Cawston, you can help further by encouraging Area B of the regional district to participate in the South Okanagan Conservation Fund, which helps support ecological services like wetlands and wildlife, that benefit your local community.
Grasslands Restoration Begins with Young People
Seeing the patch of black mud is a jolt in a rolling sea of new spring green on the hills north of Grand Forks—the damage caused by a vehicle driving off into the grasslands recently purchased by the Southern Interior Land Trust to conserve habitat.
But on Earth Day, Apr. 22, a group of students from Perley Elementary School accepted seedling trees, a small shovel and detailed instruction from Interfor professionals, then went off into the damaged areas to take on the responsibility of restoration.
Both silviculture supervisor Jamie Hibberson and environment and land use superintendent Randy Waterous of Interfor organized the day and not only helped the students out in their task, but rewarded them with hotdogs for lunch.
Tramping through muddy areas where tires had churned up the budding wildflowers and fresh grasses, the grade six and seven class of Sarah Mace spread out with their shovels and yellow pine seedlings and worked all morning.
In all, they planted nearly 300 seedling trees with the intention of returning often in the future to watch them grow and provide shade for Chocolate Lilies and Arnica, and habitat for the wide variety of birds which call this grassland home. Mature trees, even once they die and begin to decay, provide vital homes, shelter and foraging for more than 70 species of birds and wildlife, insects, fungi, mosses and lichens
“It was an inspiring day, to watch all these young people talking to their little trees and encouraging them to be happy,” commented SILT president Judie Steeves, with a grin, adding, “They really seemed to take their job seriously and realize restoring the land to its natural habitat is important.”
If further vandalism to this land is prevented, the little trees will grow tall and strong and anchor the land from melting snow, which today is flowing down the fresh tire ruts and down the track, eroding the earth and carrying it away down the hill.
In 2020, SILT bought this 109-hectare parcel of open bunchgrass with thickets of aspen and hawthorn, District Lot 492, to conserve it for a herd of bighorn sheep and the deer who are desperate for the late winter flush of green provided here.
It was found that rattlesnakes, gopher snakes, spadefoot toads, tiger salamander and badger also make this home, as well as a great variety of birds, some endangered.
The purchase was a joint effort of the family of the late Walter Mehmal; the B.C. Conservation Foundation Land for Wildlife Fund; the Brandow family; the Wild Sheep Society of B.C., the Grand Forks Wildlife Association and other donors and SILT supporters.
Later that year, an additional 35 hectares of an adjacent property, Lot A of DL 493, also at the end of Morissey Creek Road, was purchased for the same reasons, and with some of the same support, with the addition of Tom and Jeninfer Foss and the Wild Sheep Foundation of Alberta, The Habitat Conservation Trust Fund and the Government of Canada through its Natural Heritage Conservation Program.
Both acreages are open to enjoyment by the public, for hiking, birdwatching, picnics, photography and other recreational pursuits, but the use of motorized vehicles on either property is illegal.
“Our hope is that our Grand Forks Grasslands will continue to provide healthy, natural wildlife habitat forever,” Steeves added.
Elementary Students Plant Trees on Grand Forks Grasslands
Emily Rooke, a student at Perley Elementary, carefully plants a yellow pine tree donated by Interfor on the Southern Interior Land Trust’s grasslands property at the end of Morissey Creek Road, on Earth Day.
In an Earth Day event coordinated by Jamie Hibberson and Randy Waterous of Interfor, students from Sarah Mace’s class from Perley Elementary School in Grand Forks have planted nearly 300 yellow pine seedlings in disturbed, damp parts of the Southern Interior Land Trust’s property.
It was inspiring to watch these young people nurture the little trees they were given by Jamie and Randy, who also explained how to plant them so they would survive,commented Judie Steeves, president of SILT.
It was a beautiful day and great to watch them roam over the greening-up hills, digging a hole and placing the little tree in it. Most said they planned to return over the years to find their trees and see how they grow up, which will be really neat.
The tree planting took place on the Grand Forks Grasslands at the end of Morissey Creek Road, in galleys and drainages, where in some instances, damage had occurred from motorized vehicles illegally being driven into the freshly-sprouting grasses and wildflowers.
The grade six and seven students learned about the importance of conservation of such wild lands, and of restoration where damage has occurred from human activity; the importance of protecting the natural features that make suitable habitat for deer, bighorn sheep, badgers, birds, snakes and other creatures, as well as the plants they rely on for food or shelter.
Nearly 300 trees were planted Friday.
The grade six and seven students learned about the importance of conservation of such wild lands, and of restoration where damage has occurred from human activity; the importance of protecting the natural features that make suitable habitat for deer, bighorn sheep, badgers, birds, snakes and other creatures, as well as the plants they rely on for food or shelter.
Nearly 300 trees were planted Friday.
Photos by Judie Steeves