Charlie Lake Conservation Society

08/11/2026

Thanks to Fort St. John North Peace Museum for hosting another museum talk last night! More info: https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/

08/09/2026

Two more days until you can learn about ecosystem restoration at the museum! Join Mae Whyte of the Charlie Lake Conservation Society to learn how ecosystems can be restored and how this benefits humans and animals alike.

07/26/2026

Reminder: We have another walk in the woods Tuesday! A Walk in the Woods - iNaturalist edition

At our plant ID walk, we were talking about different kinds of clover, so thought some of you might enjoy this graphic shared by the vet in DC.

Alsike clover lacks the "V" on the leaves and leaves are slightly serrated. Of our three common clover (Trifolium genus), it's the one that can harm livestock. It's a *hybrid* of white and red clover, all three introduced species in our region.

We've also seen a lot of lesser trefoil (T. dubium) around this year, it's another introduced neighbour that can be a bit weedy, especially in yards. Do you have a lawn covered in tiny clovers with yellow flowers?

These are all naturalised plant species, meaning they were introduced from elsewhere but have established in our ecosystems. Like other plants (including our native plants) in the pea family, clovers enrich the soil and can provide forage for wildlife. We tend to only class things as "invasive" if they threaten human life or property... but naturalised species can also be hyperabundant and outcompete our native plants, contributing to ecosystem imbalance.

Native species that support nitrogen fixation include creamy peavine (Lathyrus ochroleucus, called "pale vetchling" in iNaturalist); green alder (Alnus alnobetula); and American vetch (Vicia americana).

We bet we'll see some of these plants Tuesday! But you don't have to take our word for it: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/charlie-lake-community-science.

⚠️ Alsike Clover Can Be Deadly to Horses ⚠️

Every summer, we treat horses affected by alsike clover poisoning. While not every horse grazing a pasture will be affected, those that preferentially eat alsike clover can develop serious illness, and in severe cases, the condition can be fatal.

Common signs include:
🐴 Sunburn-like scabs or sores on the face and hooves (especially on white markings)
🐴 Unexplained weight loss
🐴 Changes in behavior, including lethargy, weakness, or aggression

Many horse owners are surprised to learn that alsike clover can remain toxic even after it has been cut and baled into hay. When purchasing hay, ask about clover content and inspect bales carefully.

Unfortunately, much of the clover found throughout the Peace Region is alsike clover.

The good news? When caught early, most horses recover well with treatment.

If you have concerns about your horse or would like help identifying alsike clover in your pasture or hay, contact our Large Animal Team at 250-782-1080.

Photo credit Horse DVM

07/20/2026

07/14/2026

Only a few spots left for Painting in the Park with Ken Lane this Saturday!!

Register now so you don't miss out:

The Charlie Lake Conservation Society is delighted to host a special paint session by the lake with popular local artist, Ken Lane, known for his breathtaking…

07/06/2026

We put the final touches on our citizen science scavenger hunt today! It's a great way to interact with the Charlie Lake Conservation Society's Science Is all Around Us exhibit as well as discover some of the natural history elements in our collection. It's a fun activity for kids, families, and even adults! We've got some cool new resin critter prizes. Admission is free this Saturday from 11-4. Charlie Lake Conservation Society

07/05/2026

Registration is open for Painting in the Park with Ken Lane on July 18th.

Book your (free) tickets now:

The Charlie Lake Conservation Society is delighted to host a special paint session by the lake with popular local artist, Ken Lane, known for his breathtaking…