The Lower St. Mary’ Valley near Kimberley is an important wintering ground and movement corridor for wildlife in and out of the Rocky Mountain Trench. Many open-forest ecosystems in the valley have missed numerous fire cycles and become overcrowded with suppressed Douglas fir and other vegetation. These conditions restrict wildlife movement and forage availability, while also increasing wildfire risk.
With a range of partners, Wildsight is leading a five-year project on 120 hectares to thin dense understory vegetation and carry out prescribed burns. The work will thin the forest, recycle nutrients on the forest floor, increase light and snow penetration through the forest canopy, and stimulate the regeneration of forage plants. It will also improve ungulate movement corridors between the valley bottom and upland forest.
“By the end of the project, the treated areas are expected to support a more open, diverse and resilient forest structure,” said Tim Chapman, Program Manager, Wildsight. “This landscape-scale approach will improve habitat quality and strengthen ecological connectivity, ultimately enhancing the forest’s ability to withstand future disturbances.”
