Flora and Fauna

The Liĺwat7úl have called this territory home since time immemorial. The land is central to Líĺwat culture and identity as expressed in the Ucwalmícwts phrase “pala7míntwal i ucwalmícwa múta7 ti tmícwa” — the land and people are together as one. The Speĺkúmtn Community Forest is situated entirely within the Unceded and Traditional Territory of Líĺwat Nation.

Knowledge of the Land

Animal Species

Conservation of wildlife and their habitat is an important aspect of forest management in the Speĺkúmtn Community Forest. A wide range of animal species inhabit the lands within the SCF, a number of which have been identified as requiring special consideration in forest management.

Tree Species

The forested area of the SCF is primarily composed of the following timber species: (tree info from https://lilwat.knowledgekeeper.ca/traditional-use-species)

Featured
Douglas Fir
Douglas Fir

Traditional uses:
Saplings were used to make pole hands for harpoons, leisters and gaff hooks, in the construction of fishing platforms, fish-roasting and smoking racks and as poles for raised food caches.

Common Uses:
Douglas-fir is used for building and construction due to its strength, and it is one of the finest timbers for heavy structural purposes, including glulam beams and roof trusses.

Ucwalmícwts:
srapl7úl - Click to Listen

Western Hemlock
Western Hemlock

Traditional uses:
Rotten hemlock wood was used as fuel for smoking and tanning buckskin.

Common uses:
Western hemlock is used for general construction, roof decking and plywood, as well as for laminating stock and the production of glue-laminated and solid beams.

Ucwalmícwts:
p̓út̓tnaoz̓ - Click to Listen

Amabilis (Balsam) Fir
Amabilis (Balsam) Fir

Traditional uses:
This beautiful conifer has many uses as a traditional medicine, emergency food, and in bushcraft. It’s also an important plant for wildlife who rely on it for food and shelter.

Common uses:
Due to its high strength-to-weight ratio, it is used in structural products throughout residential and commercial construction. High-grade amabilis fir is often used for interior applications.

Ucwalmícwts:
mvlínlhep - Click to Listen

Western Red Cedar
Western Red Cedar

The tree of life.

Traditional uses:
Boughs were used in first salmon ceremony.

Common uses:
Western red cedar is a resilient and versatile species that can be used in a wide variety of exterior and interior building applications. It is one of the most valuable conifers owing to the unique colour, texture and durability of its wood.

Ucwalmícwts:
tsátawaoz̓ - Click to Listen

Lodgepole Pine
Lodgepole Pine

Traditional uses:
Various food uses.

Common uses:
It is used as lumber in structural framing, composite boards, and high-quality joinery.
Lodgepole pine is a highly adaptable tree and is one of the first species to come back after a wildfire.

Ucwalmícwts:
qweqwelítaoz̓ - Click to Listen

Yellow (Ponderosa) Pine
Yellow (Ponderosa) Pine

Traditional uses:
Seeds and inner bark of the ponderosa pine were traditionally eaten. It is also used for making dugout canoes, and the pitch is used for waterproofing moccasins and other items. It can also be mixed with bear grease to make an ointment for sores and inflamed eyes.

Common uses:
The wood is straight-grained, nonporous with a fine and uniform texture, and yellow to pale reddish-brown in colour.
Ponderosa pine is used for light and medium construction and a variety of exterior and interior products.

Ucwalmícwts:
s7áplhqwaz̓ - Click to Listen
(Northern St̓át̓imcets language)

One Mile Lake - a special forest ecosystem

Welcome to BC’s rainforest, where the trees grow tall, the air stays damp, and life buzzes from forest floor to canopy! This Coastal Western Hemlock Forest is one of the most productive ecosystems in Canada — a cool, wet, moss-draped wonderland teeming with life. A complex web, everything here grows on everything else! Moss carpets the ground, trees, and even rocks. Old, fallen logs become nurse logs — like cozy tree beds for new plants. Mushrooms pop up everywhere, doing their recycling job like tiny forest janitors alongside huge slugs!

If you keep your eyes open, you may be able to find some of these interesting species around OneMile Lake in Nkukwema/Pemberton. Look for signs on the Sea to Sky and Piece of Cake trails to help you find likely habitat!

Featured
Western Yew
Western Yew
Wild Ginger
Wild Ginger
Lots of lichens!
Lots of lichens!
Long-Eared Myotis
Long-Eared Myotis
Masked Shrew
Masked Shrew
Chocolate Slime Tubes
Chocolate Slime Tubes
Earth Star Fungi
Earth Star Fungi
Pine Mushroom
Pine Mushroom
Pacific Wren
Pacific Wren
Western Toad
Western Toad
Rubber Boa
Rubber Boa
Marzipan Millipede
Marzipan Millipede

Pro tip: look up, look down, and listen closely — this BC rainforest is full of secrets just waiting to be discovered!! You might hear the tiny Pacific Wren singing its heart out, spot a deer tiptoeing through the ferns, or catch a glimpse of a black bear (from a safe distance, of course!). Even salamanders and owls love it here! 

Since humans live nearby, this forest has also undergone management for forest fire safety, including removing small trees and litter on the forest floor that can act as fuel. As soon as the work was completed, the Spel’kúmtn Community Forest received a letter from 14-year-old Ashleigh Woodruff on behalf of the mushrooms, millipedes and slugs, requesting they be considered in management activities. Ashleigh and her artistic friend Flora created an interpretive sign program to remind people of the important critters that are often overlooked by bikers, hikers, and frisbee golfers when enjoying beautiful forest spaces. Head out to OneMile Lake and look for their signs throughout the trails!