What is the Native Land Snails Program?

The Native Land Snails Program works to support the research and conservation of Fraser Valley’s snails. Native snails are those that are indigenous to this area. Forestsnails are those that reside primarily in forest habitats.

 

Did you know?

  • The Fraser Valley hosts five snail species, four of which are native.
  • One non-native species, the Grovesnail, is the most commonly found snail in your garden.
  • All of our native snails have a central pit on their underside, while the Grovesnail does not.
  • The Oregon Forestsnail is an endangered species in Canada.

Check out this handy identification guide for local snails.

What Does the Native Land Snails Program Do?

Monitoring

Investigating how forestsnail distribution, abundance, movement, and longevity is affected by urban development.

Habitat protection

Ensuring the snails have access to important plants and habitat features for food and refuge at the Three Creeks property.

Outreach

Providing information on snail identification and habitat enhancement options to landowners across the Fraser Valley.

Partnerships

Sharing research data with local governments and working groups to support better development and management practices.

Snail Monitoring Report

Check out the long-term monitoring report from our Three Creeks property.

View Report

Forestsnail Monitoring Results

0

snails

Marked in our capture-mark-recapture program

0

years

The oldest recaptured snail

0

meters

The farthest distance recorded travelled by an Oregon Forestsnail

0

snails

Recaptured since 2014

How Can I Help?

Get to know your snails

  • Learn how to identify snails. Never collect and/or move snails to different locations, as the habitat conditions may not be right.

Protect native vegetation

  • Forestsnails depend on native vegetation. They are often found in wet broad-leaf forests with dense native shrub vegetation. Stinging nettle is very important for healthy shell growth due to its high level of calcium and other essential minerals.
  • In parks and protected areas stay on designated trails and keep dogs on leash so that native vegetation stays healthy and does not become trampled.

Report snail sightings

Additional Information

ID Guide for Snails of BC's South Coast

Download

Recovery Strategy for the Oregon Forestsnail (Allogona townsendiana) in Canada

Download

Gastropod Surveys of Three Creeks Report

Download

Program Partners

Our Native Land Snail program is made possible by the generous support of our funders.

Join

There are many ways to get involved in our work. It takes all of us working together to truly make a difference.
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Your gift today will help us continue to protect the natural beauty of the Fraser Valley. Learn how you can support our work.
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