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Biodiversity of British Columbia
British Columbia has a rich biodiversity having four climatic conditions, dry, humid temperate, and polar climates. In fact, British Columbia holds three-quarters of Canada’s mammal species. Twenty-four mammal species are exclusive to the province. There are 488 species of birds, 468 species of fish, 142 species of mammals, 22 species of amphibians, and 18 species of reptiles in British Columbia. Insect species number around 35,000.
Rich in forested areas, British Columbia has an estimated 2790 species of native vascular plants, about 1000 bryophytes or mosses and liverworts, 1600 lichens, 522 species of attached algae and more than 10,000 species of fungi.However, despite the rich and unique habitat that British Columbia has, 152 wildlife species and sub-species are considered candidates for endangered, threatened, or vulnerable status. The Burrowing Owl, and the American White Pelican and the Vancouver Island Marmot are already considered as endangered by the British Columbia government. The Sea Otter, meanwhile, is designated as an already Threatened specie.
However, British Columbia’s rich biodiversity is still under threat from rapid urbanization which replaces the greeneries with buildings and pavements. Urbanization also destroys the province’s wetlands which is home to the Sandhill Crane and the Great Basin Spadefoot Toad.
Because of the rich biodiversity of British Columbia, wildlife viewing has been a part of the eco-tourism of the province. Hiking, camping and viewing the wildlife, however, should be responsibly and with respect. There are designated trails and roads for such activities. It is also a policy of the province to never feed or touch wild animals. Not only could contact with wild animals disturb the fragile ecosystem, but could be dangerous to you as well.
There are packaged tours and cruises which offer tourists an opportunity to visit the British Columbia wilderness. There are different kinds of tours to choose from. There are tours for to see the migration of Pacific Gray Whales along the British Columbia Coast, view the Pacific salmon species migrating into the province’s interior, get to ride the current of the Fraser River, and get to see wildlife animals like the mountain goats, moose, caribou, and bighorn sheep. There are even guided tours that can take you to place where you could see cougars, black bear, grizzly bears and the kermode bear.
When viewing the British Columbia wilderness, however, you would need an expert guide if you have no outdoor experience under your belt. There are several information and seminars on basic wilderness survival that are included in tour and cruise packages. But, do bear in mind that such short courses are mere introductions and graduating from such does not make you experts in the field.
Wilderness survival training is a continuing process. Everyone who intends to experience the wilderness of British Columbia should be armed with knowledge about the outdoors, clothing, equipment, emergency food and various survival techniques.
Posted in Outdoors
August 31st, 2007 / No Comments
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Visiting the Ksan Village
The Ksan Historical Village, near Old Hazelton is considered as a major cultural heritage site of British Columbia. Located near the ancient village of Gitanmaax and right where the Bulkley and Skeena Rivers crosses. It is both an important tourist attraction and a cultural site for the Gitxsan people.
The site faithfully recreates a traditional Gitxsan which are also known as the people of the river of mists. The Gitxsan communities of the 1800’s feature cedar plank communal houses and totem poles with figures from Gitsxan clans and legends. The Ksan village is a reconstructed native village which showcases the arts and crafts of the northwest tribes.
The Ksan Village also houses a Museum where very important collection of First Nations artifacts are placed. Together with the museum, the whole Ksan Historical Village had been receiving visitors from all around the world for more than 30 years now. With an average of 50,000 visitors annually, the village hope to disseminate information about the Gitxsan culture and serves as a center for the Gitxsan people.
The entrance to the village is marked with totem poles which are an attraction by themselves. You can find several other totem poles in the village itself. One of the poles is the Pole of the Silkscreen Studio which contains a crest for each of the four Gitxsan Clans, namely Frog or “Lax See’l”, Wolf or “Lax Gibuu”, Fireweed or “Gisk’aast”, and Eagle or “Lax Skiik”.
The Gitxsan were originally of the Pacific North Coast of North America. Their territories extend from the watersheds of the north and central Skeena, Nass, and Babine Rivers stretching for almost 22,000 kilometers all in all.
The Gitxsan have built their homes near the rivers. They settled mainly on the banks of the Skeena River and its tributaries. The present communities are the Gitwangak, Gitanyow, Gitsegukla, Gitanmaax, Kispiox, and Glen Vowell.
Gitwangak is approximately 240 kilometers (150 miles) from the coast and is the most western Gitxsan village. Gitanyow is located between 22-24 kilometers (14-15 miles) from Gitwangak north on the Kitwancool River. Meanwhile, Gitsegukla is between Gitwangak and Gitanmaax on the Skeena River. Gitanmaax is at the junction of Skeena and Bulkley Rivers and is estimated to be 264 kilometers (165 miles) from the coast. The settlement of Kispiox is about 32 kilometers (20 miles) from Gitanmaax and just at the crossing of Kispiox and Skeena rivers. The village of Glen Vowell or Sigit’ox was the latest one, being only a hundred years old. The last village is between Kispiox and Gitanmaax on the Skeena River.
Posted in Attractions
August 24th, 2007 / No Comments
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The Kootenay Rockies
British Columbia’s Kootenay Rockies has been described as the region’s mountain oriented vacation spot featuring Canada’s most stunning mountain view.
The Kootenay Rockies starts from the Okanagan Valley in the west and stretches to the Alberta border in the east. Including the Rockies, there are four mountain ranges in the region, the other three being the Selkirks, Purcells, and Monashees. A lot of mountain climbers have come in the region to scale mountains and tackle peaks like Mount Findlay and Hamill Peak, which are both over 3,600 m (12,000 ft).
The Kootenay Rockies offer a number of clean, natural, uncrowded outdoor activities including a rather lively mountain biking culture. The Kootenay provide various trails for riders to take. Plus, towns in the region are quite appreciative of the biking culture. In fact the city of Rossland was crowned the mountain biking capital of British Columbia some time back.But biking is not the only outdoor activity that is popular in the Kootenay Rockies. Different ecosystems found in rivers, lakes, waterfalls, beaches, mineral hot springs, alpine meadows and snow-capped mountains provide outdoor enthusiasts with a bag full of things to do like canoeing, boating, cycling, windsurfing, water-skiing and whitewater rafting. The region is also known as a great fishing area where vacationing anglers can hike to alpine lake the Elk Valley, Flathead, St. Mary and Findlay river pools. The lakes around Creston seem to be filled with largemouth bass and lunkers.
Water sports and outdoor activities are quite common in the region and for good reasons. The Kokanee glacier is the source of freshwater of 30 lakes and river systems in the region.
The list above is only a partial listing of things you could do here. With this list in mind, it is not surprising that Kootenay Rockies has been called as “British Columbia’s Mountain Playground.”
Although summer and spring activities are quite exciting and highly enjoyable, there’s another outdoor recreational activity that is quite popular int Kootenay. The region is also a popular winter vacation destination. Skiers and snowboarders go to the area to enjoy the impressive downhill ride. With an average snowfall of 171- 206cm (67 - 81 inches), the region is a lucrative business for ski resorts.
Others things to see include the National Parks Corridor, The Valley of a Thousand Peaks, The Elk Valley, Kootenay Lake, Central Kootenay, and The Arrow Lakes and Silvery Slocan.
Posted in Outdoors
August 17th, 2007 / No Comments
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The West Coast Trail
Located on the southern west coast of Vancouver Island is a 77 kilometer trail that starts from Port Renfrew on the south end to Bamfield on the north end. Commonly referred to as the West Coast Trail, this place is a favorite among hikers.
The trail features a lot of variety. From climbing clifflike ladders, wading mud bogs, riding cable cars, scrambling over slippery ocean boulders, racing the tides, maneuvering dangerous channels, photographing shipwreck relics, and a whole lot of other activities that could involve hauling yourself up or pulling ropes in rocky cliffs.
Part of the Pacific Rim National Parks system, the West Coast Trail has nothing short of outstanding natural features to offer. May they be terrestrial or marine based, these natural sceneries and wonders adds to the beauty of the trail. One can only gawk at the scenic beauty of the west coast. With beaches, bays, coves, creeks, storm-chiseled caves, and wonderful and seemingly enchanting forests and waterfalls, the trail is something like a dream for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Regular season for West Coast Trail hiking is from May 1 to September 30. Park officials discourage hiking the trail during the off-season citing possible dangerous circumstances. Hiking the trail usually takes 6 to 10 days. Knowing this, be warned that the hike is not for beginners or the inexperienced. The West Coast Trail needs stamina, experience, and well thought of planning.
First and foremost, you should be well equipped with a pack that includes sleeping bags and a rainproof light weight tents. With an annual rainfall of 270 cm (106 inches), it is more likely that you will encounter rain during the duration of your hike.
Slippery terrain, and creek fording adds to the difficulty of the hike. There are a number of commercial guides who operate in the park that hikers can hire.
Although, the hike can be really exciting, we can only stress that you arrange for a completely self sufficient pack. No supplies can be acquired on the trail which is a great reason for packing more light weight and spoil proof food.
Posted in Outdoors
August 10th, 2007 / No Comments