The BC Small Wetlands Association is a charitable organization working with community partners to offer a broad spectrum of cultural ecological education in collaboration with the Secwepemc community and local school districts, showcasing biodiversity and blending traditional knowledge with western science.
BCSWA promotes social cohesion and the sharing of Secwepemc traditional knowledge through cultural ecological outreach programs for indigenous and non-indigenous youth at risk, accessible and inclusive of people with varying abilities.
More than one thousand native trees and shrubs were planted at Pleasant Valley Wetland Heritage Park to rewild two acres, recreating a small area of the original wetland and forest that was logged and cleared, then ditched and drained in the late 1800s for agriculture.
The property is changing ownership and is currently closed to the public.
Over the past nine years, it provided the community with a grassroots living showcase of Secwepemc culture, natural infrastructure and biodiversity conservation to encourage environmental learning and create opportunities for active public involvement in conservation work.
In 2020, with a grant from Tree Canada, BCSWA planted an edible trees forest garden at the Park that has a mix of fruit trees, berry bushes, herbs and vegetables. The harvest, shared with the community as well as deer and other wildlife, includes fruit, nuts, edible leaves, medicinal plant products, mulch, seeds and propagation materials.
In October 2021, local middle school students helped to plant a Children’s Grove of 215 trees to honor the missing children of the Kamloops Industrial Residential School.
In April 2023 and 2024 we engaged the local community in the creation of three mini forests here at the Park to demonstrate and promote the benefits of the Miyawaki pocket forest.
BCSWA researched the culture, land use, the climate and the health of ecosystems historically towards the goals of educating the public on nature based climate change action, sharing the traditional knowledge of the Secwepemc people on interpretive signs and encouraging other landowners to invest in a treed or wetland area on their land.
BCSWA hosted free learning experiences including the BC Wildlife Federation Wetland keepers Workshops held here in June 2022. Park facilities include a viewing platform, large covered pavilion, washroom and parking. We can accommodate gatherings of up to 100 people and we are open year round. Very popular with visitors is Jack the donkey, who loves people especially if they come bringing carrots.
The land is home to many species of wildlife including the red-winged blackbird, blue heron, red-tailed hawk, stoat, osprey, white-tailed deer, racoon, bees, blue dasher dragonfly, western toad, spade foot toad (at risk/endangered species), frogs, garter snakes, newts and salamanders.
Insights into History
The location in the Spallumcheen Valley is an area where the Shuswap Nation (Secwepemc) and Okanagan Nation (Syilx) Territories overlapped five thousand years ago.
Wetland Ambassadors
Youth were our wetland ambassadors who worked and volunteered in the park, monitoring the wetland ponds, birds, animals, amphibians, insects and plants, learning hands about biodiversity conservation and maintaining a park journal.
For more information on future programs call or text Barb Craven at 250-517-0335 or e-mail bacraven@telus.net
Registered Charity #802617316RR0001
