| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
During the 2014 and 2015 Slocan Wetlands Assessment and Monitoring Project (SWAMP) field program, project biologists Ryan Durand, RPBio., Tyson Ehlers, RPBio. and Rhia MacKenzie identified and mapped numerous species-at-risk in the Slocan Watershed while surveying wetlands. This report contains a summary of those findings, as well as recommendations as to a future species-at-risk inventory project. The SWAMP study area includes the full Slocan River watershed, from the Kootenay River at the south, to the watershed divide north of Summit Lake, including the villages of Slocan, New Denver, Winlaw and Silverton, and the numerous unincorporated communities in between such as Passmore, Slocan Park and Krestova (Fig. 1). Based on both the number of species-at-risk found, and the number of new species recorded, from incidental sightings during SWAMP field work, we believe that a proper inventory and mapping project would beneficial. We know of several other species that occur in the watershed (such as painted turtles, Lewis woodpecker, and common nighthawk) that have not been properly documented. We also assume that numerous other species-at-risk will be found with targeted surveys when areas beyond the wetlands are assessed. We suggest that a future species-at-risk inventory and mapping project begin with the following activities: 1. Compile all existing data. Conservation Data Centre (CDC) Element Occurrence Records, grey literature, discussions with local biologists and naturalists. 2. Targeted field surveys to confirm un-recorded observations (naturalists, local residents reporting painted turtles on the Slocan River, other anecdotal observations, etc.) and attempt to locate historic records. 3. Field surveys to expand known occurrences (such as single element occurrences of rare snails, etc.) to map a more comprehensive extent of their distribution. 4. Develop a longer term plan for bringing experts to the watershed to conduct inventories. 5. Submit all data to the CDC in an appropriate format. 6. Communicate findings to local biologists, government agencies, resource extraction businesses, and landowners. |
