Tatalu River
The Tatalu (SENĆOŦEN), or Little Campbell River, is a productive, multi-jurisdictional, transboundary watercourse located in the heart of the Salish Sea (or Georgia Basin-Puget Sound Ecoregion). This river meanders west from its headwaters in Langley, through South Surrey and into White Rock where it enters Semiahmoo Bay. The Tatalu watershed serves as the study area for A Rocha Canada’s conservation science program, defining the geographic scope of the surveys, research, and habitat restoration projects.
The Tatalu watershed is home to a diversity of wildlife and plant species, including five species of Pacific salmon and trout, as well as over 30 species at risk. The river and its associated habitat are characterized by unchannelized streams, an undyked floodplain, an undeveloped estuary, and several large wetlands. Along with other watersheds located in the Salish Sea, the Tatalu and its surrounding natural habitat are faced with increasing anthropogenic impacts and threats, including poor water quality, seasonally low water levels, and loss of wetland and forest habitat due to pressures from urbanization and agricultural land development.
The goals of A Rocha Canada’s conservation science program are the following:
- Thriving ecosystems and communities
– Protect and enhance biodiversity
- Transformational learning
– Mentor and equip interns and volunteers - Conservation leadership
– Engage decision makers with science that inspires action
Caring for a unique and vulnerable river.
The latest news on our projects
Introducing Our New Conservation Scientist
We are delighted to introduce a new member of A Rocha’s Conservation Science team, Laura Newberry. Laura started as our new Conservation Biologist based out of Brooksdale Environmental Centre at the end of September 2017. Local [...]
Exploring a Forest Full of Fungi
Slime molds and fungal species in and near Brooksdale forest biodiversity plots Authors: Corey Bunnell, Fred Bunnell, and Anthea Farr. The world would be different without mosses, lichens or people, but [...]
Yes, A Rocha studies the poop of swallows
By Michelle Jackson, Conservation Biologist A Rocha’s Conservation Science team has been studying swallows at Brooksdale and throughout the Little Campbell Watershed since 2014. This year, thanks to a partnership with Amanda Edworthy, a [...]