Coming to Golden?...Get ready for World-Famous Wonder

When you visit the mountain oasis that is Golden B.C., you should know that there's more to the beautiful landscape than meets the eye. First off, the Town of Golden is the only community in Canada that is situated on the confluence of two heritage rivers: the Kicking Horse and Columbia Rivers. And secondly, the portion of the Columbia River that meanders along the edge of  town, under the bridge to Kicking Horse Resort, and continues westbound along the Trans Canada Highway, is actually part of the world-famous Columbia River Wetlands.

On June 5, 2005, the Columbia River Wetlands were recognized for their Global ecological significance by being designated as a Ramsar Site. The Convention on Wetlands, which was signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty with a purpose of providing a framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands.¹

What makes these wetlands so special?

That's a 25,000-hectare punch packed full of special.  The Columbia River Wetlands make up 180 kilometres of riversystem that make up  one of the longest intact wetlands in North America. The marshes and interwoven river channels, which are bordered by the Canadian Rocky Mountains to the east and the Purcell Mountains to the west, are home to 100,000 large mammals. These mammals include Grizzly and black bear, wolf, cougar, wolverine, elk, moose, mountain caribou, mountain goat, big horned sheep, badger and deer.

The Columbia Wetlands also represent one of the last natural pathways left for migratory birds and make up a key part of the Pacific Flyway, an age-old migration route.  During the Spring and Fall migration periods tens of thousands of birds representing hundreds of species rest and feed in the Columbia Wetlands.

Columbia Wetlands and You

If you live in the Pacific Northwest odds are that everytime you turn on your tap you are connecting with the Columbia River Wetlands.  The Columbia Wetlands are the primary source of fresh water to over 15 million people in the Pacific Northwest. These wetlands are the headwaters of the Columbia River, which is the largest river flowing into the Pacific Ocean in all of North America. Serving as nature's filter, the Columbia Wetlands keep your water clean and pure by storing excess water in its many channels and marshes, then slowly releasing it back into the groundwater table from which it hits your taps.

Helping to conserve the Columbia River Wetlands makes good sense not just for you, but for the many wildlife species that don't have a voice to make it happen themselves. Make sure to check out our Pass It On! program to learn how you can make the most of your Wetlands Wildlife Safari. 

Wildsight, our friendly regional environmental conservation group, is doing tons to help the wetlands too. Visit their site at www.wildsight.ca to learn more.

1. Global Nature Fund, Living Lakes, www.globalnature.org (accessed March 2009).