Yorkson Watershed Enhancement Society Bioblitz
Yorkson Creek runs through Langley, BC, draining into the Fraser River through 81 tributaries that total over 35km in length. The mainstem and its two major tributaries (West Munday and East Munday Creek) flow through the communities of Walnut Grove and Willoughby. Coho, Chum salmon, Cutthroat and Rainbow trout can be found spawning in these tributaries. I have lived in Walnut Grove since 2008 and frequently walk around East Munday Creek and its ravine.
The Yorkson Watershed Enhancement Society (YWES) is a group of concerned citizens from Walnut Grove and Willoughby who aim to decrease the many problems facing the Yorkson watershed, most notably the high rate of residential development in Willoughby in particular. In June, the YWES normally hosts a bioblitz, where they invite families and local nature enthusiasts to find all the living things in a small area of the Watershed over the course of one evening. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the YWES set up this year’s bioblitz as a two-week virtual event from June 1st – 14th.
For my Community Service Project, I decided to participate in the virtual bioblitz by incorporating some of my daily family walks into the event. As a participant, I was able to join the YWES project on iNaturalist and post my observations of any plants, animals or fungi over the course of two weeks.
Volunteer time: Approximately 8 hours over the course of 6 days
A sampling of species observed: California Snowdrop Bush, Red Huckleberry, Wild Blueberry, Pacific Banana Slug, Kousa Dogwood, Artist’s Bracket, Dark-Eyed Junco, Stinging Nettle, North American River Otter
The Yorkson Watershed Enhancement Society: http://www.ywes.org/
Bioblitz: http://www.ywes.org/266
iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/