Reclining chairs, beer cans, car batteries, shotgun shells and household garbage do not belong in the wetland. You would think this is common sense, but from what has been seen, it is not.

A disturbing trend is surfacing. An increasing amount of unwanted items and garbage are being thrown out by people onto the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area (CVWMA) property, costing the CVWMA precious staff time and money to remove the garbage when it should be going towards managing the habitat.

The CVWMA is internationally recognized as a wetland of importance (Ramsar site) and accredited as a nationally Important Bird Area, as well as an Important Amphibian and Reptile Area. Tourists from around the world come to visit and view the wildlife and beautiful scenic lakes, rivers and ponds. It is a place where locals enjoy recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, hunting, snowshoeing and wildlife viewing. The CVWMA is a significant economic asset for the Creston Valley.

While the wetland is a wonderful place for recreational activities, its primary function is to benefit wildlife, providing habitat, food and shelter. Other important functions of wetlands include storing and slowly releasing water, helping to protect from flooding, recharging groundwater supplies, improving water quality by removing excess nutrients, pollution and sediment, and helping to control erosion.

Besides being unsightly, dumping garbage anywhere but in the Creston landfill damages the beauty, integrity and value of this valley, including the CVWMA. Duck Lake and Summit Creek are part of the CVWMA and some of the worst areas for garbage. In the winter months, when Duck Lake is frozen over and used for skating, fishing and campfires, a disturbing amount of garbage is left on the ice.

“Come spring, when the ice melts, all that garbage ends up at the bottom of the lake, polluting the waters,” said CVWMA director of communications and stewardship. “Whether on the CVWMA property or not, garbage poses a significant threat to the health and well being of wildlife and degrades all habitat.

“We are fortunate to have an educational facility in the wetland, where the public and students can learn about the importance of wetlands. Let’s set a good example for the thousands of students who participate in our programs and the visitors who spend time at the centre and on the trails by disposing of the garbage in a responsible and respectful manner.”

People are proud to live in this beautiful valley and, unfortunately, it is a small minority of people who disrespect the landscape and think dumping garbage anywhere is acceptable. The CVWMA is everyone’s backyard. You wouldn’t throw a bag of garbage over your neighbor’s fence, so why would you throw it into our wetland?

If you see anyone dumping garbage, please report them to the CVWMA and/or to the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) conservation officer service at 1-877-952-7277. The Creston Valley Wildlife Act (Section 12) prohibits dumping on the CVWMA and a fine will be given to offenders.

“We would prefer to spend our time and money focusing on the habitat and wildlife, on education and trails, than collecting garbage,” said Ahern.