We started our next restoration site along Waiparous Creek in 2022. Waiparous Creek is home to some of the last populations of Westslope Cutthroat Trout in Alberta. The restoration site has previously been used by recreational users to access the stream by vehicle, which resulted in the loss of riparian vegetation and excessive amounts of sediment running off the adjacent Forestry Trunk Road into the stream.

Thanks to the support of our partner organization, Trout Unlimited Canada, the site was de-compacted with heavy equipment to be ready to be planted with willows and poplars. These pioneering plants will kickstart the restoration process. Volunteers plant these stakes with hand-tools only.

A big Thank You to all the volunteers who came out on a beautiful Saturday to plant willow and poplar stakes on October 1st, our first field day on this site! On October 15th, we will be undertaking a second field day as part of the 2-day bio-engineering workshop.

Many thanks also to the Alberta Conservation Association, Trout Unlimited Canada and Cows and Fish for their support of this project.

Photo credits: M. Krainer

Bio-engineering 2022