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, …
We are delighted to announce that we will be hosting our Earth Day Forest Walk again this year. Verna Mumby, local Consulting Arborist, will be guiding attendees through the wonderful forest paths along Thames Creek in Bowser. Verna’s knowledge of the forest ecosystem is fascinating to listen to, and makes …
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 …
There are few things as magical as drilling holes in solid rock. The bit spins and the drill pounds and a pile of fine grey powder grows around the hole. Don’t inhale! When the hole is deep enough, after only a minute or so, you can install a fender washer …
The River Never Sleeps just keeps getting better every year! The number of organizations participating was up this year. The event provides a wonderful chance to meet with other environmental stewardship groups and learn about the exciting work that various volunteer groups are taking on. We thoroughly enjoy conversations with …
Summer is approaching and in our ‘new normal’ that brings worries about drought and wildfire risk. The role of trees in climate change mitigation and fire risk can seem at odds. In 2018 the Fanny Bay Community Association, Baynes Sound Garden Club and Beaufort Watershed Stewards sponsored a town hall …
We are expanding! BWS is launching a new stream sampling team, or ‘pod’ as we like to call them, in the Lighthouse area. This will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the health of streams on the eastern slopes of the Beaufort Range. We sample for turbidity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, …
