The Lake Audy Spruce Plantation
In 1895, Canada’s Department of the Interior, Forestry Branch, established the Riding Mountain Forest Reserve to ensure sustainable timber supplies for the region. Early conservation efforts, including fire suppression and control of timber harvest were initiated. In 1927 David Binkley, the local Forest Ranger at Lake Audy, started a tree nursery and began planting in the area. With the assistance of area residents, a large plantation of approximately 90,000 white spruce was established in the grasslands near the east shore of Lake Audy. Shortly afterward, in 1930, the Forest Reserve was designated a National Park. Planting at Lake Audy ceased, but the plantation remained, a symbol of the Forest Reserve history and early conservation efforts in the area.
Concerns over future timber supplies in the late 1800’s, resulted in the planting of approximately 90,000 white spruce seedlings in the Lake Audy area. Dense stands like this one now cover approximately 35 hectares (77acres). In 2010 a decision was made to enhance the health of the plantation to a maximum of 15 ha over a 15 year period due to increasing stressors and the encroachment of the spruce into the surrounding rough fescue prairie.
© Parks Canada
Let the enhancing begin. Park’s crew began the plantation enhancement on November 1, 2010. However, inclement weather resulted in difficult working conditions, so work was sporadic the first few weeks. On November 22, 2010 the weather cooperated and the crew proceeded to work every day on the enhancement until December 31, 2010.
© Parks Canada
After 80 years, however, the health of the Lake Audy plantation is in decline. The dense stand of mature spruce now covers approximately 35 hectares (77acres). Spaced at less than 2 meters apart, the trees have become increasingly stressed competing for light, water and nutrients. In the last 5 years, the added stress of Spruce Budworm defoliation has hit the plantation hard. As much as 50 percent of the stand is dead or dying, and there is concern that this will result in an increased risk to public safety, including a fire hazard, and a loss of scenic value. Through extensive spreading of seeds from the spruce trees the plantation is also expanding into the surrounding rough fescue prairie which is an important, threatened habitat in RMNP. Parks Canada’s long term objective is to expand the grasslands and maintain the health of rough fescue grasslands in the Lake Audy prairie while keeping healthy spruce trees in a more natural distribution.
Everyone has a role. With the enhancement well underway, the Park’s crew worked diligently to complete as much work as possible before December 31. Once fallen, the trees were hauled to a designated work area where they were limbed and stacked.
© Parks Canada
As part of Riding Mountain National Park’s commitment in the plantation enhancement, the limbed trees are to be sectioned and split. The finished product will be used to supplement the Park’s wood program by supplying firewood to a number of locations throughout the Park.
© Parks Canada
A public meeting was held in August 2010 to gather feedback from local stakeholders on management options for the Lake Audy Spruce Plantation. The feedback from attendees and other area residents was a key consideration in the development of the spruce plantation management strategy.
During the winter of 2010/11, RMNP staff removed selected trees from the Lake Audy spruce plantation. These included new trees growing along the edges and in existing openings in the plantation, as well as some standing dead or dying trees and some live, mature spruce. To be consistent with the original intent for the plantation, all solid wood from the tree removal will be salvaged for use by Park visitors and local residents. Further tree removal operations and grassland restoration activities will be guided by a series of vegetation monitoring plots as well as ongoing consultation with Park neighbours.
Aerial Photo of Plantation
© Parks Canada
RMNP officials want to recognize the early conservation initiatives of Ranger Binkley and area residents who helped establish this landmark and remember their contribution to the history of the region. The Park will work with the local people to communicate the historical significance of the plantation through development of interpretive programs, signs and self-guided trails.
If you are interested in learning more about the Lake Audy Fescue Prairie Restoration and Spruce Management Strategy comments and questions can be directed to:
Angela Spooner
Resource Management Officer
204-848-7627
angela.spooner@pc.gc.ca