One might think that, as watershed stewards, our stock in trade would be water. But really, there’s not much we can do about water. We can’t make more of it. That’s the job of nature. We can’t manage it. That’s the job of the community, the Regional District, the Province, …
There’s something that’s been bugging us. We know quite a bit about our streams. We regularly measure their temperature, turbidity, specific conductance, pH, and oxygen content. When we’re sampling, we take note of frogs or salamanders that cross our path and birds that depend on the creeks for food (a …
This is a publication by the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) reporting on the state of local aquifers. The aquifers in the southern portion of the Beaufort Range fall withing the RDN jurisdiction. This 12-page document provides an excellent overview of groundwater processes, and threats due to climate change and …
Rubber boots, a signature yellow vest, two cases of gadgets and a common desire to understand the dynamics of our local freshwater resources links these six volunteers of the Bowser Pod, members of the Beaufort Watershed Stewards (BWS). Doesn’t everyone love a celebration? As of April, this team marked their …
At our April meeting we had the treat of listening to Mark Lake’s enthusiastic update on the BWS aquifer mapping project. Since 2021 Mark has been working with faculty and students from the University of Victoria and local BWS volunteers to start mapping aquifers along the eastern Beaufort Watersheds. The …
Beaufort Watershed Steward (BWS) co-hosted a recent course with Michelle Jones of the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation, with the goal of establishing a benthic invertebrate monitoring program in our watersheds. Yes, we’re adding a 7th monitoring program! Like me, your first question might be “What are benthic invertebrates?” They are organisms, …
This winter I’ve gotten into the morbid habit of checking the outside temperature every morning. I seem to have lost my tolerance for cold. Even the difference between zero and two degrees feels significant. I look forward to the double digits of spring and the balmy days of summer. Salmon, …
Julie Gordon published an article in The Narwhal on February 18, 2025 that provides an excellent background to how and why such extensive logging continues along both sides of the Beaufort Range. B.C.’s private forests aren’t subject to the same logging regulations as those on public land — putting old …
It was First Aid recertification time for BWS volunteers. As part of our safety protocol we arrange first aid courses for those volunteers who go out in the bush for stream side monitoring. Many thanks to Alpine First Aid for an excellent course!
Each year our Annual General Meeting is a chance to sit back and take in how much we have accomplished in a year. We know we always feel busy, but it is truly amazing each year to see how far our organization has come in just seven years! To provide …
