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Cayoosh elementary opens school wetland
Bringing the field trip to the school

With help from local volunteers, the B.C. Wildlife Federation (BCWF) built a wetland on Cayoosh elementary school grounds last Thursday.

Tom Biebighauser, a wildlife biologist, led a two-day workshop on wetlands that climaxed with the construction of the Cayoosh wetland.

He said the wetlands would have a lasting impact on the surrounding area.

“What they have built today will be here for hundreds of years.”

According to Biebighauser, the wetland, essentially a small pool with surrounding plant life, will be a haven for salamanders, frogs, dragonflies, and other animals, including deer and bats.

Access to water at higher elevations as well as the presence of edible (to the animals) insects will draw them to Cayoosh.

Biebighauser addressed concerns about mosquitoes in the area. He explained that insects like dragonflies and water boatmen would prey on mosquitoes that stay in the still waters of the wetland.

“This habitat will even reduce the mosquito population.”

He added that Cayoosh elementary students would benefit by having a nearby wetland from which to learn.

“This is a way of bringing the field trip to the school.

“We all learn best by becoming involved.”

Biebighauser is based in Kentucky and works for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service but has visited the province eight times with the BCWF to help with wetlands projects.

After a day of hard work that began at about 7 a.m., the wetland was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m.

Patti MacAhonic, executive director of the federation, dedicated the wetland to the students of Cayoosh elementary.

Rod Wiebe, vice-president of the federation, echoed Biebighauser’s sentiment. “It’ll be really useful for wildlife here.”

Carolyn Budgell, wetlands program co-ordinator for BCWF, thanked Cayoosh principal Deborah Ralston for allowing the construction.

She later singled out Jacquie Rasmussen as a major part of the local volunteering effort.

On behalf of the Lillooet Naturalists Society, president Vivian Birch-Jones thanked the visitors for their help.

“We really appreciate the expertise.”

Local contractor Jason Whittaker excavated the hole and installed a liner to keep water from being absorbed by the ground. Dan and Donna Gatzka installed a sprinkler system that will occasionally top off the wetland.

After filling the pool, volunteers lined the sides with straw. Biebighauser explained the straw would help prevent erosion and help seeds germinate.

“A lot of little things make a big thing.”

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