The Bertrand Watershed Education Team (B-WET) is a project delivered by Langley Environmental Partners Society (LEPS) in partnership with the Bertrand Creek Enhancement Society. The B-WET project is working to enhance critical habitat for the native and endangered species that live in and around Bertrand Creek in Aldergrove.
Historically, Bertrand Creek was forested and its waters supported many populations of salmon and other aquatic species. Over the years, urban and agricultural development has impacted Bertrand Creek. However, Bertrand Creek remains a hotspot of biodiversity. It is one of only a handful of watersheds that host two of Canada’s most endangered fish species, the Nooksack dace and the Salish sucker. Bertrand Creek is also home to the endangered Oregon spotted Frog, the threatened Coastal Cutthroat trout, and numerous species of Pacific salmon, with spawning salmon spotted this fall in Vanetta Park at 32 Ave.
Though Bertrand Creek has been negatively affected by development in the Aldergrove area, there are many ways that landowners can minimize their impact on Bertrand Creek. This can be done by removing invasive plant species such as Himalyan blackberry; avoiding the use of pesticide and fertilizers; limiting impervious (paved) surfaces by using wooden decks and pervious parking areas; and planting native vegetation in your garden.
B-WET is restoring the native habitat along Bertrand Creek by removing invasive plant species, removing trash from the creek, and offering free native plants to landowners along Bertrand Creek to enhance streamside areas.
It is important to restore native vegetation along Bertrand Creek as it will prevent erosion and sediment from entering in the stream, filter pollutants, provide shade to cool the stream for fish, stabilize the creek banks; and provide habitat for native birds and other wildlife.
The B-WET team will be in Aldergrove for the next couple of months working on Bertrand Creek restoration projects. If you are interested in volunteering your time to help restore Bertrand Creek, or you are a streamside landowner interested in participating in the project, please contact Carly at cstromsten@tol.ca or call 604-532-3511.
Bertrand Creek Enhancement Society (BCES), formed in 1993 as a group of volunteers from the Aldergrove community, works towards the restoration of Bertrand Creek. Volunteers are needed to help plant native trees and shrubs and remove invasive species. To volunteer with the BCES please contact Lisa at 604-532-3517 or ldreves@tol.ca, or join them at a meeting, held the third Wednesday of the month at the Aldergrove Community Secondary School library.