The Riverside Wetlands / Ském'em Community Park is a beautiful natural area, offering fantastic bird-watching and lush old-growth forest, in SLRD Electoral Area C, within the traditional territory of Líl'wat Nation, just a short distance from downtown Pemberton. Ském'em means "to dig edible roots" in Ucwalmícwts, which is the traditional language of the Líl'wat people.
The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, along with Ducks Unlimited Canada, and the Nature Trust of British Columbia purchased this critical wetland habitat, 67 acres in all, in 2012, to be protected for conservation and community recreation.
Prior to its purchase, the land was threatened by development as a result of Pemberton’s growth. The protection of the land is essential to maintaining the biodiversity of the unique wetland ecosystem, including important fish and waterfowl habitat and breeding grounds.
In 2017, the SLRD and Líl'wat Nation completed a co-management plan for Ském'em / Riverside Wetlands Community Park. The management plan identifies four key objectives for the park: conservation, protection of Líl'wat Cultural sites and traditional uses, recreation and education.
The park lands and surrounding area were traditionally used and occupied by the Líl'wat people for hunting, gathering, fishing, habitation and ceremonial purposes.
More recently, area residents have used the park for recreation. There are several existing trails throughout the property that can be used for nature walks, trail running, mountain biking, and in the winter, snowshoeing.
Amenities, Rules and Regulations
Currently, there are no amenities on the wetlands site.
Please respect that this is a delicate ecosystem and “pack out what you pack in.”
Related Information
- Ském'em Riverside Wetlands Community Park Management Plan
- Background on co-managment planning process
- Aerial map of the wetlands
- June 5, 2012 SLRD News Release announcing purchase of the Fulton property
- What wetlands do for you
- Species at Risk
