Snk’mip Marsh Sanctuary Habitat Enhancement and Invasive Plant Management

Awarded to Valhalla Foundation for Ecology to reduce the threat of terrestrial and aquatic invasive plant species to ecosystem functions and microhabitats of species at risk including Coeur d’Alene Salamander and Western Painted Turtle

PROPONENT: Valhalla Foundation for Ecology

DESCRIPTION: Snk’mip Marsh is an incredibly precious wetland in a biodiverse nature sanctuary that contributes to the ecological integrity of the last un-dammed river system of the Columbia Basin. The multi-year restoration of the sanctuary has been a huge success to date, but ongoing stewardship and some additional enhancements are needed. On a planet where wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate, it’s vital that we raise this ecosystem to its full potential for the large number of species, including species at risk, that so desperately need this rare type of habitat.

In 2024, a major invasive plant removal effort was achieved over a 3-hectare area, employing 20 local people part-time amounting to 220 person-hours. Revegetation efforts followed in the fall to plant native seeds and shrubs in areas that were previously overrun with invasives due to past land degradation. Surveys to identify potential Coeur d'Alene salamander habitat areas identified 2 potential winter hibernacula and led to the discovery of a significant population of the rare salamanders, with more salamanders found in one survey than in any other record through the BC Conservation Data Centre. Four trail cameras installed to uncover western painted turtle activity at the Sanctuary were analyzed this winter and VFE will be furthering their monitoring efforts in 2025 and installing cameras in other suspected habitat areas to determine the species' use of the wetland.

OBJECTIVE: This project had the following objectives:

1. Delineate zones within the sanctuary for priority invasive plant control and restoration and implement manual removal and effectiveness monitoring via mapping.

2. Revegetate with native grasses, shrubs and trees across all areas following invasive plant removal.

3. Identify potential hibernacula for Coeur d’Alene Salamander and confirm presence. Apply biologist’s recommended habitat enhancements and treatment recommendations including eradication of invasive plant species.

4. Identify potential nesting sites for Western Painted Turtle and breeding areas for Western Toad and apply biologist’s recommended habitat enhancements and treatment recommendations including eradication of invasive plant species.

5. Obtain an expert assessment of the previous 6 years of restoration efforts with site-specific recommendations for future enhancements.

6. Research and implement Western Painted Turtle habitat creation/enhancement and monitor project outcomes via site surveys and remote camera surveillance.

7. Develop a stewardship plan for ongoing monitoring and restoration activities.