The Hudson's Bay Wetland Project

Anne Hogan is the current Secretary of the Prince George Naturalists Club.  Both Anne and Shanelle Marshall, President of the PG Naturalists Club, attended the Nechako Rotary Club meeting to provide a clear and comprehensive overview of the Naturalist Clubs plans to enhance The Hudson's Bay Wetland.

The Hudson's Bay Wetland is often referred to by locals as the Hudson's Bay Slough.  This wetland divides South Fort George area from the Fort George Park area.

Currently, a walking and biking trail exists from the Nechako Bridge, through Cottonwood Island, along the Fraser River and under the Yellowhead Highway Bridge, through Fort George Park, and continues across and along the Hudson's Bay Slough to Carrie Jane Gray Park and the Carney Street Hill.

The PG Naturalists Club have prepared a comprehensive plan that will allow people to walk, jog or run from Fort George Park on a nature tour around the full expanse of the Wetland area, with the addition of improved trail development and a bridge, connecting the existing trail on the southern portion of the Slough with a trail around the northern section.

The goal of the Hudson's Bay Wetland Project is to enhance the wetland as a natural setting for birds, fish, animals and plant life while creating an interpretive walk covering both sides of the channel draining to the Fraser River and circling the lake west of Queensway.

The PG Naturalists Club is partnering with The Exploration Place and the City of Prince George as primary partners for the Project. Additional organizations are providing support including REAPS; Caledonia Ramblers; BC Nature; Fraser Basin Council; Fisheries and Oceans; Ducks Unlimited; Northwest Invasive Plant Council; PG Community Forest Advisory Committee and the Overhang Education Centre.

Costs are projected to be in excess of $200 thousand dollars.  These funds will need to be acquired through donations and fund raising programs.

Additional information can be found through the PG Naturalists Club, or phoning 250-963-9520, or websites:  hbwetland.wordpress.com or pgnaturalists@hotmail.ca

Anne was thanked by Rotarian Dean Simpson, with another donation to our Rotary Polio Plus Program.