The Whistler Biodiversity Project revealed that nearly 5,000 species of mammals, fish, birds, amphibians, slugs, snails, insects and other vertebrates and invertebrates are found in Whistler. Here are a few local species you might catch a glimpse of:
- Mammals: Black bears, Grizzly bears, wolverines, cougars, hoary marmots, mountain goats, snowshoe hares, beavers, wolves, voles, shrews, weasels, raccoons, red foxes, American Pikas, mule deer, river otters, bobcats, coyotes, several bat species and more.
- Fish: Rainbow trout, Kokanee salmon, Bull trout, Dolly Varden trout and more.
- Birds: Bald eagle, Northern goshawk, Trumpeter swan, Canada goose, Harlequin duck, Great blue heron, Solitary sandpiper, Pileated woodpecker, Horned lark, Grey jay (known locally as whisky jack), osprey and many more.
- Amphibians and reptiles: Coastal tailed frog, Western toad, Northern red-legged frog, Northwestern salamander, Long-toed salamander, Pacific chorus frog, Northwestern alligator lizard and more.
- Bugs, Slugs and other invertebrates: many slugs, snails, spiders, dragonflies,
caddisflies moths, beetles, bees, butterflies, slime molds and more.
Ecosystem Monitoring
Whistler’s annual Ecosystems and Species Monitoring Program helps us track and understand selected indicators of ecosystem health. Current indicators include beavers, Northern goshawks, Coastal tailed frogs, pond amphibians, benthic invertebrates, stream temperature, water quality and basic climate indicators. We also keep track of other local species through projects like fish spawning counts and the Western toad migration.
Priority Habitat
In 2023, we developed the Priority Habitat Framework, a high-level strategic plan to help protect Whistler’s most important natural habitat. This project aims to identify, protect, restore and connect Whistler’s most important natural areas to support key local species and biodiversity. Protecting Whistler’s priority habitat also supports our community’s resilience to climate change.
Updated (2024) Priority Habitat mapping is available on our GIS Whistler Map. This mapping is accompanied by a Technical Report which outlines the definitions, rationale and prioritization of Whistler’s Priority Habitats, as well as providing mapping source data. The Priority Habitat Framework and updated mapping will help us improve protection of Whistler’s key natural areas and biodiversity.
Threats to important habitat in Whistler include drought, flooding, wildfire, invasive species, forest harvesting and thinning, recreation and development. Protecting habitat is one of the most effective ways to protect species and biodiversity.
Whistler’s priority habitat includes key ecosystem types and species-specific habitat to support local biodiversity, including:
Priority Habitat Types – By Ecosystem
- Lakes & Wetlands
- Streams
- Riparian Buffers
- Floodplains
- Old & Ancient Forests
- Yellow Cedar Ancient Forests
- Big Tree Forests
- Largest Old Forest Patches
- BC Red-Listed Ecosystems
Priority Habitat Types – By Species
- Beaver-Affected Wetlands
- Red-legged Frog & Western Toad Ponds
- Salmonid Fish Presence (Lakes & Wetlands)
- Salmonid Fish Presence (Streams)
- Shorebirds at Risk
- Tailed Frog Streams
- Cottonwoods & Screech-Owl Habitat
- Goshawk Habitat Suitability
- Grizzly Bear Habitat Suitability
- Mountain Goat Habitat Suitability
- Whitebark Pine
Species at risk
Whistler is home to many animals and plants that are in danger of disappearing from the wild. These support ecosystem health and biodiversity, but are threatened by habitat loss or degradation from development, forest harvesting, invasive species and climate change.
We regularly update the list of species at risk in Whistler including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, plants, and plant communities.
In addition, we have several programs to support this conservation:
- Western toads: The RMOW supports the annual migration of thousands of tiny Western toadlets in Lost Lake Park through trail, park and road closures and toadfriendly infrastructure. Every summer, our environmental technicians and volunteers monitor the migration and help the toads safely move from the lake to the surrounding forest area.
- Grizzly bears: Our Council passed a resolution to support grizzly bear population recovery in the Sea to Sky region. We collaborate with the Province of B.C. and other regional partners to support population monitoring and recovery efforts. We work to avoid grizzly bear habitat when planning recreation trails in backcountry areas and have a Grizzly Bear Conflict Mitigation Strategy to help us keep grizzlies and humans safe on trails.
Environmental Protection Bylaw
The Resort Municipality of Whistler’s Corporate Plan and Official Community Plan help us to protect Whistler’s natural environment. We also have an Environmental Protection Bylaw to help protect streams and riparian habitat, manage invasive species and regulate other environmental issues.
Invasive species
Invasive species are plants, animals or other species which are not indigenous to the area and can cause economic, environmental, human health or infrastructure harm. Invasive species are one of the top threats to biodiversity worldwide.
Our Invasive Species Management Plan guides how we minimize risks from invasive species. We work closely with the Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council to educate and support our staff, residents and visitors around stopping the spread of invasive species.
The Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council has developed the Species Priority List (Plants) for the region, which outlines our management approach for invasive plants within Whistler.
Introducing invasive species to Whistler is illegal, as is failing to remove invasive plants from your property. These actions can result in fines under the Environmental Protection Bylaw. Provincial penalties up to $100,000 may also apply for introducing non-native fish to waterways.
Cheakamus Community Forest
The 33,000 hectare Cheakamus Community Forest is one of more than 50 community-managed forests in British Columbia.
In April 2009, the Resort Municipality of Whistler, the Líl̓wat Nation and the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw made a commitment to collaboratively manage and operate the Cheakamus Community Forest by signing a 25-year tenure agreement with the provincial Ministry of Forests and Range.
Partnering for ecosystem health and biodiversity
- We partner with the Whistler Naturalists to monitor bird species in the Fitzsimmons Creek Delta Bird Sanctuary where birds nest, rest and feed through their spring and autumn migrations.
- We work with the BC Conservation Officer Service to monitor and share dangerous wildlife sightings in Whistler.
- In 2015, our Council joined over 176 other municipalities when we endorsed a Declaration of the Right to a Healthy Environment, acknowledging that a healthy environment is inextricably linked to the well-being of our community.
- We work with the Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council (SSISC) to manage the risks and impacts of invasive species in Whistler.
- We are part of a Provincial Biodiversity Forum for local governments working together on issues related to protecting species and ecosystems at risk.
- The RMOW works with the South Coast Conservation Program on identifying opportunities to further protect species at risk through local government activities.
Report an environmental concern
- Report stream or lake pollution and other environmental issues to stewardship@whistler.ca.
- Report a dangerous tree on public land to parks@whistler.ca or by phone at 604-935-8335.
