Species at Risk
The Redstreak Restoration Project
Why protect the Redstreak Restoration Area?
3000 hectares have been converted from grasslands to other cover and land
use types annually in the Rocky Mountain Trench over the last century.
More than 30% of BC’s threatened or endangered species depend upon
grasslands to survive. This includes: bighorn sheep (provincially blue-listed
in British Columbia), American badger (COSEWIC
endangered),
rubber boa (COSEWIC Species
of Special concern), flammulated owl (COSEWIC Species of Special concern),
the western snowberry/Idaho fescue plant community (provincially red-listed
in British Columbia), and approximately 35 provincially red- and blue-listed
plants.
What is Parks Canada doing?
Tall dry grass 4 months after the burn.
© Parks Canada / A. Dibb / 2005
Ecosystem and Natural Process Restoration
Initial restoration work in the Radium area has included forest thinning
in the winter of 2001 on provincial lands and has continued in 2002 (provincial
lands) and 2003 (national parks lands), totaling 240 ha (126 ha provincial,
114 ha federal). Treatments have also included brushing, piling and burning,
non-native plant control, and limited planting of native grass plugs.
In spring 2005, portions of the restored grasslands were treated with a low
intensity prescribed fire providing the final touch to the initial phase of
the restoration project.
Research and Monitoring
Monitoring of vegetation and wildlife demonstrates that grassland species
are using the restoration area. This suggests there is potential for other
species at risk to inhabit the area as well. We have also proposed the creation
of an interpretive trail to manage human use in order to maintain the habitat
effectiveness of the restored area.
Public Education
Educational programs have been developed and implemented for local schools
and students.
Local initiatives exist such as the Bighorn
in our Backyard (BIOB) program, which is an outreach program that is funded
in part by Parks Canada, and has been an important part of gaining support
for restoration in the Columbia Valley, particularly for the project undertaken
by Parks Canada.
Outreach has helped local communities to see the economic value of healthy,
functioning ecosystems, and the neighbouring village of Radium Hot Springs
had adopted the Bighorn Sheep as a community icon. The village also appreciates
the tourist draw that the Bighorn Sheep present, and recognize that the project
helps protect the village from wildfire.
Working with Partners
The Radium-Stoddart Bighorn Sheep Working Member Group consists of more than
30 partners that have been engaged in multi-jurisdictional ecosystem education
and conservation activities related to the Redstreak Restoration Area.