Open to: All BCIA Registrants and their Guests

Join the Kootenay Boundary Branch for a full-day field visit to the Earl Ranch Conservation Lands to explore Beaver Dam Analogue (BDA) restoration projects. This in-person tour will provide registrants with the opportunity to see active restoration work, hear directly from experts, and discuss the role of BDAs in improving hydrologic resilience and habitat health.

The BC Wildlife Federation field team constructed 10 post-assisted BDAs, low-tech, channel-spanning features that mimic natural beaver dams. This tour will give registrants first-hand exposure to how BDAs function in practice, what restoration objectives are being met, and what challenges or maintenance needs have emerged.

Agenda

• 8:45 AM – Meet in Cranbrook (Superstore parking lot, west end) & arrange voluntary carpooling

• 9:00 AM – Depart Cranbrook for Earl Ranch (NW near Newgate)

• 11:00 AM – On-site BDA field tour with BCWF

• 12:30 PM – Lunch break (field lunch – bring your own)

• 1:45 – 3:00 PM – Continued site tour & discussions

• 4:30 PM – Return to Cranbrook

Presenters

• Birch Matkowski – Restoration Project Lead, BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF)
  
  Speaking on the implementation and outcomes of BDAs.

• Allanah Oestreich – Senior Habitat Biologist, WLRS
  
  Sharing insights on Earl Ranch Conservation Area restoration phases.

• *Barry Watson, P.Ag. & Jennie Bishop, P.Ag. – WLRS, Water Authorizations
  
  Informally addressing permitting, best management practices (BMPs), maintenance responsibilities, and reporting considerations.

The Earl Ranch restoration project (Phase3) aims to restore natural biological processes, enhance hydrologic resilience, and reduce channel and floodplain erosion through the strategic addition of in-stream structures, guided by low-tech based restoration principles.

In the fall of 2024, a field team of the BC Wildlife Federation constructed low-tech Beaver Dam Analogue (BDAs). Ten post-assisted BDAs (channel-spanning features meant to mimic beaver dams) were constructed. Each structure achieved a variety of different localized restoration goals, ranging from slowing water velocity, to creating deeper, cooler pools habitats, or capturing and aggrading sediment moving downstream. Objectives include increased passive resilience to climate-driven events like floods, droughts and wildfire.

Key Takeaways:

• See actual BDA restoration works
• Discuss objectives and efficacy
• Identify challenges
• Assess maintenance

What to Bring

• Lunch & Water – participants are responsible for their own food.

• Footwear/Clothing – gum boots recommended for shallow wading in wetland areas; dress for field conditions.

• Notebook/Camera – optional for notes and field documentation.

ATTENTION articling registrants!! The in-person event will be an excellent opportunity to network and meet with other branch registrants.

Please note that photographs and footage will be taken. These will be used by BCIA for marketing and publicity in our publications, on our website, newsletters, and on social media. Should you not wish to have your photo taken and used for these purposes, please advise the photographer at the time.