Columbia Wetlands facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Columbia Wetlands |
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The Columbia Wetlands from highway 95
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| Area | 151 square kilometres (58 sq mi) |
| Designated: | 5 June 2005 |
| Reference #: | 1463 |
The Columbia Wetlands is a huge natural area in British Columbia, Canada. It's a special type of land called a wetland, which means it's often covered by water. This amazing place covers about 15,070 hectares, which is like 37,238 football fields!
On June 5, 2005, the Columbia Wetlands was named a "wetland of international importance." This happened because it meets all the rules of the Ramsar Convention, an international agreement to protect important wetlands around the world. It's the 37th such site in Canada.
This wetland is super important because it's "one of the longest intact wetlands in North America." It's also where the Columbia River system begins, acting as the "headwaters" for this huge river. The Columbia Wetlands is also home to an incredible variety of plants and animals, which scientists call "biodiversity."
To keep this special place safe, it's managed by the Columbia Wetlands Wildlife Management Area (CWWMA), which was set up in 1996. The Canadian Wildlife Service also helps take care of it. Part of the wetlands is protected by the Columbia Lake Ecological Reserve, and Columbia Lake Provincial Park is nearby.
Amazing Animals and Plants
The Columbia Wetlands provides a home for many different kinds of animals and plants. It's especially important because it helps protect several endangered species. These are animals that are at risk of disappearing forever.
Some of the endangered animals that live here include:
- The peregrine falcon, a very fast bird of prey.
- The American badger, a furry animal known for its digging skills.
This huge wetland gives these animals the perfect habitat to live, find food, and raise their young. Protecting the Columbia Wetlands helps make sure these special creatures can survive and thrive for many years to come.
