THE NATURE TRUST OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
Conservation of Biological Diversity in British Columbia’s Interior Forests through Invasive Plant Management
Project Overview
The Nature Trust of British Columbia will receive a total of $50,000 over three years, beginning in 2011, to find the most effective way to reduce the spread of invasive plants in vulnerable ecosystems in British Columbia’s southern interior.
Supporting the SFI Standard
The project will support the following objectives of the SFI 2010-2014 Standard: Objective 4, Conservation of Biological Diversity including Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value; Objective 2, Forest Productivity; Objective 8: Landowner Outreach; Objective 16: Training and Education; Objective 17: Community Involvement in the Practice of Sustainable Forestry.
Project Partners
The Nature Trust of British Columbia; Weyerhaeuser Co. Ltd.; South Okanagan-Similkameen Invasive Plant Society; British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.
Project Details
Alien invasive species such as tansy ragwort, sulphur cinquefoil, spotted knapweed and the hawkweed complex are a significant threat to biodiversity in British Columbia, especially in the province’s interior grasslands and dry forests. They can affect the survival and growth of planted conifers; accelerate soil erosion and stream sedimentation; consume critical water resources and negatively impact water quality; increase the wildfire hazard; interfere with regeneration of forests; and destroy or otherwise alter critical natural habitats required by species at risk or other high valued wildlife.
More than 200,000 hectares/500,000 acres of publicly owned grassland and open forest in British Columbia have been infested with 56 different invasive plants and noxious weed species. The project will identify and map priority locations, then test grass seed mixes and management techniques to learn how best to reduce invasive plants to a level where they are no longer an environmental threat.”
It will take place on about 5,000 hectares (12,000 acres) of SFI-certified forested lands managed by Weyerhaeuser in south-central British Columbia. The operating area includes important wintering grounds for ungulates such as elk and mountain goats; fish-sensitive and community watersheds; and habitat for seven federally-listed species at risk – all of which are potentially at risk of impact from invasive species.
Latest News
SFI Conservation Grant Helps The Nature Trust of BC Protect Unique Ecosystems
May 24, 2011
Project Resources
About Nature Trust of BC
The Nature Trust of British Columbia is a leading non-profit land conservation organization dedicated to protecting BC’s natural diversity of plants and animals through the acquisition and conservation of critical habitats and other areas of ecological significance. Along with our partners, The Nature Trust has invested more than $71 million to secure over 61,000 hectares (150,000 acres) throughout British Columbia. The Nature Trust is a founding partner in the South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program, and has implemented a broad range of projects including land acquisitions, riparian fencing, and invasive plant management.
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COPY LINK: https://forests.org/grantntbc/
