WILDLIFE AND HABITAT MANAGEMENT Why are wetlands important? Wetlands sustain as much life as many tropical rain forests. They play a critical role in maintaining the global environment. Wetlands provide a natural flood barrier that slows down the runoff of spring melt and rainstorms. Extensive wetlands in agricultural regions play a large role in water purification. They filter the water of our lakes, rivers and streams, reducing pollution. Marsh plants remove excessive levels of nitrogen and phosphorous. Wetlands are the kidneys of the earth. Over 20 million hectares of wetlands across Canada have been lossed due to agriculture, harbour facilities, manufacturing plants, garbage dumps, warehouses, roads, airports, residential development, hydroelectric generation, utility rights of ways and shopping centers. Increasing pressures for dredging, draining and filling of wetlands continue to occur. Understanding and preserving these wetlands is as important for our future as it is to Canadian Wildlife. Why is the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area important? The Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area is home to over 265 bird species, 50 mammal species, 30 fish, reptile and amphibian species, thousands of invertebrate and plant species. The Valley is a migration corridor for Tundra Swans, Greater White-fronted Geese, and other waterfowl and is the largest regional locale for wintering birds of prey in the interior of the Province. It is considered that in British Columbia the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area is second only to the coast as a flyway route for numbers of migrating waterfowl that follow it twice yearly. Warm shallow waters encourage luxuriant growth of the most important aquatics such as sage, clasping leaf and other pondweeds (Potamogeton sp.), duck potato (Sagittaria latifolia), duckweed (Lemna and Spirodela spp.), muskgrass (Chara spp.), and many more. The richness and diversity of life forms would not be present on the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area without habitat management. Because of careful management of water levels, vegetation, and other habitat features since 1968, there are now more species and larger breeding populations of birds and other wildlife at Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area than in previous years. Recently, BC Hydro has stepped in by contributing annually towards our basic operations until a large enough endowment fund is established. Fundraising efforts continue for all on-going habitat projects, programs and services. More and more people want to become a part of this on-going project, as they are recognizing the need to preserve vital areas.