Earl Ranch Ecosystem Restoration Prescription

A 78 ha ecosystem restoration prescription on Conservation Lands, in New Gate, BC. The property was previously operated as the Bar 40 cattle ranch.  Activities of the Ranch included land clearing and logging from 1912 to 1938, Christmas tree harvesting, irrigated pasture and hay production, and cattle grazing. In 1974 the Ranch was sold to the Ministry of Environment and is now Provincially Administered Conservation Land. 

The focus of this ecosystem restoration project is to restore the forested ecosystems surrounding wetlands in the Earl Ranch Conservation Lands. Restoration goals were to create an open forest type that will: improve connectivity between forested and wetland habitats; improve line of sight for ungulates; maintain, improve, and create habitat features; and manage invasive plant species. Site-level field data was collected, this included: surface fuel loading; stand stocking and density (multilayer survey); vegetation surveys and grass fuel load transects; and identification and mapping of invasive and noxious weeds. Wildlife observation data was also recorded and mapped this included: game trail locations; ungulate scrapes and rubs; and wildlife tree locations and classes.

Invasive species were a special concern of this project. The previous grazing and land uses of the conservation lands had resulted in the introduction of several persistent and difficult to manage invasive and noxious weeds. The prescription required very specific management strategies and best management practices were developed for the prescription. Cabin provided a summary table of the invasive species observed which summarized treatment options and responses to prescribed fire.

Cabin developed a sampling plan, collected field data, delineated, marked out treatment units, flagged riparian reserve zones, and provided a prescription to improve habitat features. Deliverables included the field layout of five treatment unit areas, two of which were engineered for prescribed burning.

This ecosystem restoration prescription included unique ecosystem improvements, including wildlife tree creation, coarse woody debris targets, biodiversity piles, and utilizing removed timber for bio raft creation for wetlands.