Biodiversity Monitoring at Xwaaqw’um

Apr 2

One of the fun tasks that Stqeeye’ Learning Society does in Xwaaqw’um is monitoring for important species and species-at-risk (SAR). We do this in various ways, both on daily walks and on dedicated monitoring days. We rely on staff, volunteers and visiting specialists to conduct these surveys. We also attain the required permits and report our data to the BC Conservation Data Centre and to the RBCM when appropriate.

Stqeeye’ can report that we have added six more SAR to our list of known SAR in the park. These include Coastal cutthroat trout – sea run species, Common woodnymph butterfly, Silver-haired and Hoary bat species, Fern-leaved desert-parsley and Butterfly-bearing lomatium.

When we do a monitoring day, we sometimes leave equipment in the park overnight. Thank-you for leaving it undisturbed. This equipment can include wildlife cameras, fish minnow traps, amphibian traps, insect Malaise traps, data-loggers, and other instruments.

Some of the monitoring has been going on for over 15 years! Thank-you to our birders! Fish monitoring was carried out by the province in 2011 and then carried on by Stqeeye’ in 2020, 2024 and 2025. Amphibian monitoring was carried out by Stqeeye’ in 2023 and 2025. Bat monitoring was done over five years to show a before and after picture of the effect of the newest wetlands. Water quality monitoring is part of the Salt Spring Island Freshwater Catalogue that started in Xwaaqw’um in 2019. In-stream flow and groundwater table monitoring will be added in 2025. Insect surveys have been carried out for three years by RBCM entomologists. Wildlife camera monitoring is used to understand what type of animals are using the wetland and riparian habitats. Photopoint monitoring will help to build a restoration story that we can all celebrate.

Tracking biodiversity is an important step in monitoring the effectiveness of the wetland and Garry oak restoration projects. By collecting baseline data before we change something, we can figure out if we have improved habitat for certain target species.