Jackson Slough

Highlights

Jackson Slough project consists of a private landowner conservation agreement on a parcel with 19 hectares of shallow wetland and 240 hectares of upland.

It represents a partnership between Ducks Unlimited Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (PFRA), the BC Habitat Conservation Trust Fund and private landowners.

Through this project, Ducks Unlimited Canada helps protect and manage a small wetland for nesting trumpeter swans and other waterfowl, and will be working with the landowner to provide better waterfowl nesting cover on uplands currently used for grazing and hay production.

Background

This project area supports diverse dabbling duck species such as Northern Shoveler, American Wigeon, and Blue-winged Teal, as well as several cavity-nesting species such as Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, and Canada Geese. In addition, a pair of Trumpeter Swans has nested at the slough regularly for many years. At one time, Jackson Slough was likely no more than a widening of Little Tupper Creek, but numerous beaver dams along the creek have allowed a small lake to form. Water level fluctuations due to periodic failures of beaver dams still represent the most significant habitat threat to this wetland.

In the uplands north of the wetland, native aspen forests and areas of re-growth provide valuable upland nest cover for waterfowl, upland game birds, hawks, moose, deer, elk and wildlife. Habitats in pastures and cultivated fields however, are less secure, and are limited because of annual cultivation, livestock use and other management practices.

The Ducks Unlimited Canada project consisted of the installation of a dam and weir to help manage water levels, 1,500 m of fencing to restrict livestock use of wetland edges, the provision of aerated dugouts as alternative water sources for livestock, the installation of duck boxes and floating nesting islands, and working with the landowner to convert fields under annual cultivation to perennial grasses to provide more secure nesting cover.

Project Partners

BC Habitat Conservation Trust Fund
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (PFRA)
Robert and Jeanie Jackson