The following ecosystem priorities and project ideas were identified through our Ecosystems Enhancement Program with a thorough review of regional plans and research and by seeking input from community groups, First Nations representatives, government agencies and subject matter experts. Ecological priorities and emerging issues are listed in random order; no ranking is intended. Species and habitats are not limited to those listed below.
Ecological Priorities
Aquatic
Restoration and enhancement of aquatic habitat and associated species
Columbia River – white sturgeon, rainbow trout, shorthead sculpin, umatilla dace, great blue heron, molluscs. Fish access to tributaries which support spawning and rearing habitat.
Salmo River – bull trout, rainbow trout, harlequin duck, western toad. Habitat complexity and large woody debris to provide cover during low water periods.
Terrestrial
Conservation and restoration of species and ecosystems at risk
Priority habitat: dry forest types and associated habitats, cottonwood riparian.
Priority species (including but not limited to): yellow breasted chat, western screech-owl, Lewis’s woodpecker, common nighthawk, bats, racer, rubber boa, western skink, western painted turtle, western toad, grizzly bear, western bumble bee.
Protection, enhancement and identification of corridors and linkage areas
Priority: north-south and east-west corridors along both Columbia and Salmo Rivers which link together upland habitats (ungulate winter range, core grizzly bear habitat) with low elevation riparian-wetland habitats.
Aquatic habitat connectivity.
Cultural
Protection and enhancement of Indigenous cultural values
Priority: traditional use and traditional knowledge.
Thinning conifers will help improve habitat for birds and reptiles like Lewis’s woodpeckers, common nighthawks and northern rubber boas. Planting and armouring mature cottonwood trees will help protect valuable forests from human and beaver damage. These are just a couple of the ways a five-year project is improving habitat for eight at-risk species within rare, sensitive and threatened ecosystems between South Slocan and the Pend d’Oreille River. The project is a collaboration between the Okanagan Nation Alliance, Trail Wildlife Association and provincial Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.
“By increasing the productivity and resilience of these threatened ecosystems, the project aims to improve habitat availability and connectivity for wildlife across the region, especially for at-risk species,” said Yvonne Patterson, Wildlife Biologist, Okanagan Nation Alliance. “Together with key partners, we will work to build awareness and support for ecosystem stewardship, plus collaborate with others in the community on actions that will benefit sensitive ecosystems and wildlife in the future.”
Stream Improvements Aid Fish Habitat
Placed just right, a boulder can redirect flow away from an eroding bank and create features like pools, riffles and scours that improve habitat for threatened aquatic species. The Salmo Watershed Streamkeepers Society is planning improvements like this over three years to enhance a critical ecosystem in the Salmo River, just north of the town of Salmo. Other activities will include restoring approximately 245 metres of a former side channel, protecting old-growth cedar trees and encouraging the growth of native plants like cottonwood.
“Human activities have left a simplified ecosystem, while bank erosion threatens key habitat features, degrades water quality and widens the channel, which raises water temperature,” said Gerry Nellestijn, Coordinator with the Salmo Watershed Streamkeepers Society. “We look forward to proceeding with this project to address both erosion and simplified habitat. This will help us obtain our long-term vision of restoring the Salmo River watershed and increasing aquatic biodiversity.”
