Preparations (Oct 2010)

We're in full preparation for wetland buidling this upcoming weekend, as well as some planting in Agassiz along Agassiz Slough. How does one prepare to build a wetland, you ask?
The first step came a long long time ago, when we decided on a location for wetland creation. The chosen spot is near to existing frog populations, has reasonably clean water, high sun exposure (for our sun-worshiping frogs), and low flows. It also has easy access from a road, and the base is solid enough that the excavator will not sink.
Next, we survey the land to get a feel for the high spots and the low spots: which parts are already good habitat and which can be modified to improve habitat values. Armed with a topological map of the existing site, and a knowledge of what our target creatures (and other native critters) would like to see in their new home, we sit in front of our computers and develop a plan. This involves conceptual drawings of channels, ponds, shallow benches, deep niches, wood placement, and planting plans.
After plan development comes application to Federal and Provincial agencies for permits to do the work. Permits and notifications in hand, we're ready to start! Right? Sort of.. The locations in which we do habitat restoration are necessarily in wet areas (if we want the frogs to swim). Therefore, we need to wait until a time of year when water levels are low, and when the weather cooperates. Because we're not in connected fish habitat, we can do the work outside of the usual 'work window', which requires instream works to occur during the summer months, when fish are least likely to be in the waterways and when most waterways are dry. Good thing, too, as water levels in July can be too high to work in our chosen location.
In the Fraser River system, water levels are lowest in Februrary, when most of the precipitation from the last few months are held up as snow and ice in the interior. However, February is a notoriously unpredictable time for weather: we could have a foot of snow, or frozen ground, or rain all week. March (the end of the funding window) is also frog breeding season: we don't want to disturb them at such a vulnerable life-stage.
Therefore, we're working in October. Of course, we need to be flexible about these things. Initially we had planned to do the work over Thanksgiving weekend, but terrifying weather forecasts called off the project. Current plans suggest that we'll be out on-site this coming weekend.
In preparation, we're putting up fencing around the site and flushing out creatures that may be disturbed by the construction; we'll put them in near-by suitable habitat where they'll be safe. Come Friday, we'll be loading the excavator off the truck and sculpting the landscape with heavy machinery! It's an awful lot of fun to do.
We'll be looking for volunteers to help plant the new riparian area in a couple of weeks, so keep informed through Rachel at FVWC about upcoming tree plantings (or in our case - shrubberies!).