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What is the Restore Joseph Creek Project?
Columbia Outdoor School is growing and educational programming is expanding beyond Blue Lake Camp and into local communities.
Since 2016, we have been planning and implementing the Restore Joseph Creek Project and community education plan. This project includes coordinating restoration work, riparian area replanting, wetland development, and developing and implementing community education programming along Joseph Creek in Cranbrook.
The Restore Joseph Creek Project is organized by Columbia Outdoor School with the support of a group of community partners including College of the Rockies, School District No. 5, the Ktunaxa Nation, ?Aq’am Community, the City of Cranbrook, and the Regional District of East Kootenay.
We have been busy, completing restoration work at Idlewild Park in Cranbrook and providing hands-on programs for schools. The first phase of restoration work is wrapping up! Columbia Outdoor School and partners are hosting a Community Day at Idlewild Park on Saturday, June 23.
This free event will give community members the opportunity to visit the park, learn about phase one of the restoration project and build interest in future work. We are bringing together a number of local organizations and experts to provide a fun and educational day for families!
Here is the schedule for the day:
9 a.m.-noon – BioBlitz.
Become a scientist for a day as you join experts and Columbia Outdoor School educators on a BioBlitz of Joseph Creek! Bring the whole family for this fun morning outdoors. You will receive hands-on experience using tools to measure the health of the stream. Learn how to identify and map invasive species, areas of erosion and fish barriers. Your findings will be used to help experts determine the health and biodiversity of Joseph Creek!
Meet at Idlewild Park at 9 a.m. and you will be assigned an educator and study area. All ages welcome, no previous experience required!
12- 3 p.m. – Community Celebration.
Come and see what Restore Joseph Creek Project and partners have accomplished at Idlewild Park. Learn about the project, meet the experts, tour the park and wetland and launch the new floating island habitat.
Celebrate with games, fun activates and a free BBQ lunch. Bring the whole family to learn about bats, turtles, plants, mosquitoes, fish, and osprey. Discover the incredible biodiversity in your own backyard!
This event is made possible with funding from the TD Friends of Environment Fund, Columbia Basin Trust, Environment Canada and Climate Change National Wetland Conservation Fund, City of Cranbrook, and BC Hydro.
3 p.m. – Blue Lake Forest Education Society AGM at the Fireman’s Gazebo in Idlewild Park.
Blue Lake Forest Education Society/ Columbia Outdoor School
