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
Salish Suckers in Jaw-Dropping Numbers
Conservation Team Discovers 110 Salish Suckers When A Rocha intern Audrey Epp found a Salish Sucker in the pond at Brooksdale in 2011, it was big news. Everyone thought the fish had been extirpated [...]
A Change in our Conservation Team
We say goodbye; we say hello... This past week we bid farewell to Andrew Baylis. He gifted A Rocha with almost four years of excellent work on our Conservation Science team. Arriving in [...]
Northern Red-Legged Frog
Northern Red-Legged Frog – Photo by Corey Bunnell Threats to a Species at Risk The northern red-legged frog is a medium-sized frog in the family of “true” frogs (Ranidae). It is listed as a [...]