The Jubilee Wetland is a special pocket of nature nestled within Rossland. This unique site, home to a pre-existing wetland has been undergoing a transformation since 2015 as part of the rehabilitation of Jubilee Park. The goal is simple but powerful: to restore a healthy, functioning wetland that supports local wildlife, improves watershed health, and connects the community to the natural world.
Building a Resilient Wetland
The reconstruction of Jubilee Wetland as a groundwater-fed ecosystem helps capture rainwater and surface runoff, improving the function of the local watershed. Healthy wetlands act like natural sponges, filtering water, reducing flood risks, and providing critical habitat for birds, amphibians, and pollinators. This site is already home to nesting killdeer, frogs, and a growing diversity of native plants and insects.
But Jubilee Wetland isn’t just for wildlife. It’s also a community garden and an outdoor classroom, offering hands-on environmental education and stewardship opportunities for the community.
Habitat Improvement Through Native Plants
A key part of the restoration project focuses on removing invasive species, such as creeping buttercup, Canada thistle, perennial sow thistle, and vetch — and replacing them with locally sourced native plants. These native species support a greater variety of pollinators and provide essential food and shelter for wildlife.
One exciting milestone in this project is the planting of Sidalcea oregana (Oregon checkermallow), a species at risk in British Columbia. This beautiful flowering plant plays a vital role in supporting pollinators, including native bees and butterflies.
Other native species planted this season include:
- Betula occidentalis (Water Birch)
- Crataegus douglasii (Black Hawthorn)
- Rosa woodsii (Woods’ Rose)
- Rubus parviflorus (Thimbleberry)
- Sambucus cerulea (Blue Elderberry)
- Spiraea douglasii (Douglas Spirea / Hardhack)
Youth Making a Difference
In June 2025, a dedicated group of Grade 8 students from Seven Summits Centre for Learning rolled up their sleeves and spent nearly two hours removing an impressive 50 kilograms of invasive thistles, buttercup, and vetch. They also laid down a benthic membrane to prepare a new native garden bed, a big step toward restoring healthy plant communities.
Their hard work continued in October. Students returned to lift the membrane, plant native species, spread seeds, and remove remaining invasive plants. This hands-on restoration not only benefits the wetland ecosystem — it also empowers the next generation of environmental stewards.
In addition, Grade 4 students from Rossland Summit School got involved in the fall through a hands-on seed collection field trip. Together, we collected native seeds of Solidago spp. (goldenrod), Symphyotrichum spp. (aster), Anaphalis margaritacea (pearly everlasting), and Chamerion angustifolium (fireweed). These seeds were then spread at the Jubilee Wetland and support the return of native plant communities.
“The transformation of this wetland is incredible. We are so happy to see local youth getting their hands dirty and making a difference!” — CKISS
Restoration Slide Show
Click on the arrows to see all the steps involved in the restoration efforts at the Jubilee Wetland.
Acknowledgements
This project was made possible thanks to the support of Columbia Basin Trust through the Small Ecosystem Grant and Government of British Columbia for supporting CKISS education programs.
The Jubilee Wetland Restoration Project is a shining example of what happens when community, youth, and nature come together. With every weed pulled and every native plant in the ground, we’re creating healthier habitat for wildlife and a thriving green space for the community to enjoy for generations to come.