Stewardship in Action! A Community Case Study 

OPEN PARTICIPATION 

Throughout the project, open invitations to participate in stewardship activities were extended to the communities through various channels, including emails, posters, and social media. Events were designed with an inclusive mindset, welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds to explore their interests at the project sites. Whether it was removing invasive plants, photographing native species, operating boats for riparian surveys, sharing wisdom, or simply inspiring others through stories, fun, and games, everyone had a role to play. A strong network of local partners in each region supported the planning and execution of these activities.  

STEWARDSHIP HIGHLIGHTS 

A range of activities were initiated in both the Cariboo and Okanagan regions to provide engaging, action-based learning opportunities and hands-on field experiences. Highlights included: 

• Workshops: A series of workshops were organized for communities to raise awareness about the impacts of invasive species and teach practical skills for stewarding aquatic ecosystems. Participants took part in activities like water quality monitoring, field identification of native and invasive species, site surveys, yellow flag iris management, biocontrol monitoring, and more. 
• BioBlitzes: A BioBlitz is a community science initiative where individuals come together to document as many species as possible within a designated period. BioBlitzes engaged community members and students to contribute to citizen science by supporting biodiversity assessments and tracking invasive species. 
• Weed Pulls: Invasive species removal gave volunteers and students the chance to get hands-on experience with invasive species management such as controlling burdock and Canada thistle in designated areas. 
• Native Species Planting: Community volunteers came together to help revegetate key areas at both project sites, planting native species such as trees, shrubs, and grasses.  

LESSONS LEARNED 

This project proved to be an invaluable learning experience in many ways, spanning from initial planning to execution and ongoing monitoring. The primary takeaways were:  

• Building Local Capacity for Ecosystem Stewardship: For invasive species management to be sustainable over the long term, it is crucial to foster community involvement in local ecosystem care. Many sites require years of consistent effort to manage invasive species and reduce their negative impact. Prevention must also remain a top priority. Throughout both regions, it became clear that residents have a deep-rooted connection to their local ecosystems and a strong desire to protect them. By empowering communities with the right tools, resources, training, and support, they can continue to protect and care for local ecosystems long after projects are completed. 
• Youth as Environmental Champions: One of the most inspiring discoveries was the enthusiasm of young people eager to become environmental stewards! In both regions, youth were highly engaged in learning about invasive species, including how to report them, control them, and prevent their spread. Reaching out to local schools proved to be a great way to garner support for stewardship projects. By building upon and going beyond current school curriculums, students gain invaluable hands-on experiences that enrich their education while contributing to environmental conservation. 
• Inclusive Stewardship: Stewardship is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Not everyone is physically able or interested in activities like removing invasive plants or planting native species, but there are plenty of other ways to contribute. This project highlighted the importance of creating safe, inclusive opportunities for everyone, ensuring that volunteers can find roles that align with their interests. This not only helps maintain volunteer enthusiasm but also strengthens projects by drawing on a wide range of knowledge, skills, and experiences.   

MOVING FORWARD 

This initiative made significant progress in raising local awareness and knowledge about invasives species in both the Cariboo and Okanagan regions. Through engaging, hands-on learning experiences, people of all ages became empowered to take action – preventing the spread of invasives and helping to mitigate their impact on the environment. The successes seen at both project sites will serve as a model for future community initiatives to address the ever-growing threat to freshwater ecosystems posed by invasive species.  

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

This project was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Water Agency. This success of this project was made possible through the incredible, collaborative efforts of many local organizations, government agencies, community groups, students, teachers, and volunteers. Special thanks to Agrowest Consulting, Armstrong-Spallumcheen Trails Society, Awaken Inquiry & Adventure Okanagan, Cariboo Regional District, Gibraltar Mines, Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, North Okanagan Naturalists’ Club, Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Program, Scout Island Nature Centre, Sustainable Environment Network Society, Township of Spallumcheen, and the Scott Family.