Creating a ‘natural classroom’ in Northern B.C.

The Hudson’s Bay Wetlands were once no more than a slough in the heart of Prince George, British Columbia. While birds and other wildlife flocked to the marshlands, the city’s human residents generally steered clear of the area that had become cluttered with garbage and debris.

So when TransCanada learned of a plan to clean up, protect and enhance access to the area for future generations, the project was considered to fit squarely with the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship and giving back to the communities where we work and live.

“Environmental responsibility is more than just talk. We take actions each and every day that demonstrates our commitment to environmental protection,” says Karen Etherington, environmental specialist for TransCanada’s Coastal GasLink pipeline project in northern B.C. “We are proud to partner with the Prince George Naturalists Club and the City of Prince George in protecting the Hudson’s Bay Wetlands and making them available as a natural classroom for this community, and all of British Columbia, for generations to come.”

^{Natural island: TransCanada’s Coastal GasLink team worked with the Prince George Naturalists Club to create the Hudson’s Bay Wetlands Trail in the heart of the city.}

On April 29, after a significant clean-up effort, the club officially opened the two-kilometre Hudson’s Bay Wetlands Trail, an interpretive trail that is designed to provide a safe and educational way for people of all ages to experience the beauty of the area up close.

“We started off with a corporate sponsorship from TransCanada, which allowed us to launch the entire activity, which is wonderful,”
– Clive Keen, president of the Prince George Naturalists Club.

“Cleaning up this place, people were looking saying, ‘hey what are you doing here?’ And an osprey landed and took a fish out of the water. That doesn’t happen in parking lots you know; it happens in wetlands,” says Keen.

Prince George Mayor Shari Green is pleased with what the partnership between TransCanada and the community groups has brought to her community.

“TransCanada’s continued support of initiatives like the Wetlands Trail is a testament to their community focus. Residents will enjoy the benefit of this trail,” she says. “The Naturalist Club is to be commended for their passion and desire to ensure the natural environment remains healthy and accessible for everyone to enjoy.”

TransCanada is committed to supporting healthy, safe and vibrant communities across North America. Last year, we contributed more than $11 million towards non-profit organizations and programs in Canada, the United States and Mexico. TransCanada’s community investment activities focus on supporting programs to build stronger communities, enhance public safety and protect and conserve the environment.