Hike into the Waugh Lake Watershed -Part 3

Once we made it down the mountain side into the three ponds valley, we were rewarded with quite a beautiful sight...The area surrounding the ponds is marshy but as you can see that didn't stop a logging company from venturing into the area. We next headed east following the ponds which took us towards the old second growth area. Once back into the woods, it wasn't long before Dave's experienced eyes caught sight of one of his field subjects...In Dave's gloved hand, is the red-legged frog (he was being very gentle with this rare creature, believe me!). In Canada, the red-legged frog is located only in British Columbia and it is now considered at 'species at risk.' The Environment Canada website has a good write up and an excellent map here on this shy amphibian. It is worth noting that this frog is protected under the 'Species at Risk Act' (SARA). In BC, the frog is on the Ministry of Environment's 'Blue List.' Now, it is interesting to note that on the MOE website, it says that the red-legged frog is protected under the 'Wildlife Act.' It goes on to say "Under the Identified Wildlife Management Strategy of the Forest Practices Code, Wildlife Habitat Areas can be established for important breeding habitats."

The site also encourages us to be ambassadors for the frogs in Council meetings and other planning meetings. Therefore, dear members of the 'Egmont and Area Advisory Committee on Logging', we hereby appoint you as Ambassadors for the endangered Red-legged Frog in your talks with Chaskin, the management arm of Tsain Ko Forest Development Corporation. Your first priority should be to establish the extent of the wildlife habit that will be set aside for the frog. Of course, this will entail extensive field studies to establish the overall range of the frog's breeding area. This could take some time given the number of creeks feeding the area. No doubt, though, you will have the full support of the Ministry of the Environment and the Sechelt Band Council in this endeavor.

(Dave Stiles says he was quite surprised to find the frogs so well represented up at this end of the Sunshine Coast. He strongly suggests their range should be established as soon as possible in and around the Waugh Lake Watershed Reserve and particularly in the ponds area).