Science, Water

Every wetland has a beginning

Ducks Unlimited Canada supports scientific expedition exploring the glacial headwaters of the Skeena watershed.

By Chantelle Abma September 22, 2026

At the end of this unnamed glacier in the Slamgeesh Range in northern B.C., the ice melts away, following channels from the alpine into streams and rivers below, before reaching the Pacific Ocean via the Skeena River.

When people think of wetlands, they often picture marshes, ponds or floodplains. Yet every wetland’s story begins much farther upstream. High in British Columbia’s Skeena watershed, glaciers store and release water that eventually feeds rivers, wetlands and estuaries hundreds of kilometres downstream.

Understanding how these headwaters are changing is an important part of understanding watershed health, including the many wetlands and wildlife habitats they nurture and impact.

Supporting science and conservation learning

In August 2026, an independent, all-female scientific and storytelling expedition explored unnamed glaciers within the Skeena watershed. The expedition, primarily funded through the Royal Canadian Geographical Society’s 2026 Expedition Grants Program, brought together scientists, communicators, adventurers and local Knowledge-holders to document glacier conditions, map remote landscapes and examine the connections between climate, freshwater systems and the ecosystems that depend on them.

Members of the expedition team included Rebecca Edwards, a geospatial and remote sensing expert with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), and Chantelle Abma, a communications specialist with DUC, who participated as members of the broader expedition team.

DUC geospatial and remote sensing expert Rebecca Edwards marks GPS points for glacial features, creating an updated map of the terrain. This information will support understanding the health and extent of the current glacier. © Chantelle Abma

While data are still being processed, initial findings offer some unexpected and welcome insights. Despite the glacier’s overall recession, the team identified areas of glacial presence that satellite imagery had not detected and measured ice thickness by rappelling into crevasses and taking surface-to-ground measurements.

Understanding the status of these spaces can contribute to short- and long-term decisions both locally and downstream, as these watersheds and headwaters play an important role in supporting so many ecosystems, communities and wildlife.

Connected landscapes, shared knowledge

Working with members of the Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition to select sites where data is limited but cultural value is immeasurable, Abma says she is honoured to have support from local community members as they learn how glaciers are changing and how those changes affect the landscapes beyond.

Expedition team member and natural resources expert Emily Moss collects a sample of glacial ice for biological analysis. © Chantelle Abma

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“We recognize that we are guests in this region that holds deep significance and value for the local community and wildlife. We will share what we have observed and learned respectfully and help shine a light on the complex conditions these glaciers experience and what they mean for ecosystems in the region.”

Chantelle Abma, expedition leader

DUC is pleased to support the expedition through technical mapping expertise and field equipment that assisted the team in safely navigating and documenting the remote landscape. The organization’s involvement reflects its commitment to advancing conservation knowledge, supporting scientific exploration and fostering opportunities for staff to contribute their expertise to initiatives that align with DUC’s mission.

Learn more about the science of wetlands and watersheds

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Every wetland has a beginning

Ducks Unlimited Canada supports scientific expedition exploring the glacial headwaters of the Skeena watershed.

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