In this issue:
- Update on Conditions
- Upcoming Events :
- Volunteer Appreciation Event & Opening of SPWC – JUNE 24th
- Workshop Series “Discovering our Biodiversity”
- First Workshop on using iNaturalist – JUNE 25th
- Call for Volunteers
Conditions in Strathcona Provincial Park
Somehow two months have slipped by since the last Newsletter and the snow has all but disappeared from the Boardwalk in Paradise Meadows and the ski slopes of Mt Washington above. Trails below 1000m asl, such as to Divers or McKenzie Lakes, are free of snow and over in the Buttle area the snow-line on the south facing slopes is at about 1350m. Crest Mt Trail on June 6th was clear of snow, with only a little winter blowdown, almost up to the ridge and first tarn. The tarn itself was mostly covered with ice and soft snow (see photo above).
You can check here for the BC Parks Trail Report for June 2023 for more information or go to the Strathcona Provincial Park website. Note that many of the Buttle area trails have not been inspected by Parks yet.
The abnormally hot weather in May caused the rapid melt of the subalpine snowpack, which was shallower than that of 2022. Over the past two weeks the early spring flowers are emerging in Paradise Meadows, 4-6 weeks earlier than last year. The white Marsh-marigolds which always appear as the snow recedes now lie in runnels devoid of snow. By June 10th the pinks of Western Bog Laurel and the first Shooting-stars were to be seen in that warm corner on the north side of the Boardwalk below Nordic Drive. Lots of yellow Stream Violets are to be seen, and even a few of the pale purple Marsh Violets. And the patch of Fern-leafed Goldthread (Coptis asplenifolia) has numerous blooms. Appearing as it does just after the snow melts, its short-lived blooms are often missed. It was already in bloom at lower elevations on the Elk River Trail at the end of April.
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- White Mountain Marshmarigold
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- western bog-laurel
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- Jeffrey’s shooting-star
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- yellow stream violet
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- marsh violet
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- fern-leafed goldthread
The grouse have been drumming for weeks now, the Canada Jays nests will soon have fledglings, and over in the Buttle area, the Western toads, adults and juveniles, have been awake and active since the beginning of May, in areas such as the slopes above the lake at Wolf River.
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- Big Mama Western Toad
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- Toadlet Born in 2022
UPCOMING EVENTS
SWI Volunteer Appreciation Event and Opening of the SPWC - June 24th, 2:30-4:30pm
On this occasion to be held up at the Wilderness Centre SWI would like to thank all of our amazing volunteers who made the last few years of operation a great success. Because of Covid we had to postpone for three years our annual November event that marked the end of each season. Please join us on the 24th to recognize our volunteers and mark the return of spring in the Subalpine. There will be refreshments, a short presentation, presentation of tokens of our appreciation, and the opportunity to meet and socialize with your fellow volunteers.
This event will also mark the opening of the Paradise Meadows Wilderness Centre for the summer. Interested volunteers are also welcome to attend to learn more about SWI, its mission and the volunteering opportunities available. We hope to see you there!
SUMMER PROGRAMS: SWI WORKSHOP SERIES 2023 “DISCOVERING OUR BIODIVERSITY”
The Workshop Series “Discovering our Biodiversity” will run through the summer season, from late June to the beginning of October, exploring the natural world of the subalpine in Strathcona Provincial Park, from scientific and artistic perspectives. These one or two day workshops will be conducted in Paradise Meadows, partially in the Ruth Masters Nature Hall (SPWC lower floor) and partially out in Strathcona Provincial Park. Topics range from basic plant identification to more intensive examination of lichens or grasses. Additionally, creative writing and water-colour painting classes inspire wilderness exploration into further dimensions of the subalpine environment.
Each workshop will be limited to 15 participants; the cost will vary between $10 and $40. Preregistration is required, with acceptance on a first paid, first served basis. Below is a calendar of Workshop Dates. Details of cost, start times and other specifics will be included when the events are announced individually. For more information please contact us at strathconawilderness@gmail.com.
WORKSHOP CALENDAR
- June 25 iNaturalist (Basic Species ID & Beginner’s Guide )
Leader: Loys Maingon
- July 8 Plant Identification (Subalpine Plant ID in Paradise Meadows)
Leaders: Loys & Alison Maingon
- July 22 Lichens (Basic Field Identification and Intro to the Lichens of Strathcona Provincial Park)
Leader: Loys Maingon
- Aug. 12 Inspired by Wilderness (Creating Poetry in a Mountain Landscape)
Leader: Claire Gordon
- Aug.26-27 Grasses (ID of Subalpine Grasses )
Leader: Sarah Cooke
- Sept. 9 The Magic of Watercolour (Demo & Workshop using Watercolour)
Leader: James McBeath
- Sept. 16 Mycology (The Mysterious World of Fungi – Session on Identification, Photography and Forays in the Park)
Leaders: Andy MacKinnon, Kem Luther, Juliet Pendray, Thom O’Dell, James Holkko.
- Sept. 17 Mycology Hike (Exploring the Mycology of the Old Growth around Divers Lake)
Leaders: Loys and Alison Maingon
- Oct. 1 Freshwater Aquatic Plants and Algae (Intro to Subalpine Waterbodies)
Leader: Loys Maingon
THE FIRST IN THE SERIES IS COMING UP SOON!
JUNE 25th: iNaturalist - a Beginner's Guide
Date: June 25th, 2023
Time: 10am – 3pm
Location: Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre, Paradise Meadows
Cost: $10 or by Donation, Limit of 10 Participants
Registration: Email strathconawilderness@gmail.com
Instructor: Loys Maingon (RPBio)
Event Details:
This iNaturalist introductory workshop is designed for beginners who would like to learn how to take photos in Strathcona Provincial Park and upload them to the SWI Data Collection Project. iNaturalist is a worldwide biodiversity database and social media platform that promotes Citizen Science – anyone can contribute to the collection of biodiversity data, any time they’re out enjoying nature. The observations made in Strathcona Provincial Park contribute to SWI’s ongoing research and are also incorporated into the BC Parks iNaturalist Project.
Preregistration is required.
To preregister, email us at strathconawilderness@gmail.com.
First come, first served.
VOLUNTEER WITH SWI
Now that we are almost ready to open the Wilderness Centre at Paradise Meadows and the Buttle Hut, we encourage those of you who are familiar with the area and enjoy meeting visitors from near and far, to think about volunteering with SWI. Staffing the Wilderness Centre or the Buttle Hut in beautiful Strathcona Park can be a rewarding experience – helping others appreciate the wilderness that you love. It looks as if we may not have a student staffer at the Centre through the Canada Summer Jobs program, so we will be relying again this year on the support of our volunteers to make sure the SPWC is open as much as possible through the summer month.
For those who are active hikers and/or naturalists familiar with the Park – its trails, or flora and fauna – volunteer leaders are always welcome. This year we would especially like to promote Park trails on the west side of the Park, so there will be opportunities for volunteers both to staff the Information Hut at Buttle Lake, as well as to guide nature walks and hikes in that area.
SWI does offer all volunteers a reimbursement towards travel costs, as well as a discount on our publications and merchandise, plus a reduced registration fee for our Workshops (see below).
For more information please contact our Volunteer coordinator at coordinator.swi@gmail.com or SWI in general at strathconawilderness@gmail.com .
And of course,think about attending our Volunteer Appreciation event on the afternoon of June 24th when you can meet those who have volunteered with us in past years.
All photos by A & L Maingon
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