INVASIVE PLANT MANAGEMENT
The highlights for Year 2 (2020-21), Year 3 (2021-22) and Year 4 (2022-23) are listed below.
Year 2 Highlights
An overview by the Nature Trust of BC of the invasive species management taking place on the Wycliffe Conservation Complex.
The second year of this project (2020-21) has included both planning and stewardship projects. CBT funds were used to complete a Management Plan, a Recreation Management Plan and an Effectiveness Monitoring and Maintenance Plan. The Partners were able to invest some of their internal funds into a number of activities on the Complex including legal surveys, boundary fence replacement and the creation of public access/parking, for example. Federal funding allocated to NCC via Kootenay Connect was used to hire consultants to develop a Grassland Management Plan and a Range Use Management Plan for the Complex. NTBC’s funding allocation through Kootenay Connect was directed to several invasive species management activities for the Complex, which are detailed in this written report.
This report provides information on areas that received treatments for noxious and invasive plants on the Wycliffe Conservation Property Complex. Within treatment areas, species treated, types of treatment performed (i.e., chemical or mechanical, and boom spray or hose reel), and monitoring notes specific to treatment completion and efficacy have been highlighted. Further details on the invasive plant inventory, management techniques, and recommendations for continued management activities are included in the Wycliffe Conservation Property Complex Invasive Species Management Plan (EKISC, 2021).
Year 3 Highlights
This report provides information on areas that received treatments for noxious and invasive plants on the Wycliffe Conservation Complex. Within treatment areas, species treated, types of treatment performed (i.e., chemical or mechanical) and monitoring notes specific to treatment completion and efficacy have been highlighted. Further details on the invasive plant inventory, management techniques, and recommendations for continued management activities are included in the Wycliffe Conservation Property Complex Invasive Species Management Plan (EKISC, 2021).
The third year of the project (2021-22) marked a transition where most funding was put to ‘on-the-ground’ projects on the Complex, which was exciting after so much time and effort had been spent on the planning components. NTBC utilized Kootenay Connect Funds to hire the East Kootenay Invasive Species Council (EKISC) to implement work across the Complex, as recommended in the ISMP. This included inventory, chemical treatment, treatment monitoring, long-term effectiveness plot monitoring, data entry, and reporting. CBT funds supplemented this work. NTBC also managed several fence contracts across the Complex, on behalf of the partners. This work included the removal of unneeded fences, repairs to compromised fences, replacement of fences in poor or non-functioning condition as well as, new fence builds in previously unfenced locations.
Year 4 Highlights
In 2022, treatments continued in identified priority areas across the Wycliffe Conservation Complex. This report provides information on areas that received invasive plant treatments, including species treated, herbicide used, and monitoring notes specific to treatment completion and efficacy. In addition, recommendations are provided that were developed based on contractor advice and monitoring observations, that align with the Wycliffe Conservation Property Complex Invasive Species Management Plan (EKISC, 2021).
Year 4 of the project (2022-23) marked another ambitious ‘on-the-ground’ effort guided by the annual work plan. With this anticipated workload, the Conservation Partners hired a project manager to assist with organizing contracts, project implementation and contract supervision and various administrative functions (chairing meetings, financial tracking, communications and assistance with reporting). For the invasive species work, NTBC utilized Kootenay Connect Funds to once again hire the East Kootenay Invasive Species Council (EKISC) and its subcontractor to implement work across the Complex, as recommended in the Invasive Species Management Plan. The fencing projects were primarily funded by ECCC/Kootenay Connect and CBT EEP funding. NTBC issued contracts for eight fence projects across the Complex, on behalf of the partners. This work included the removal of unneeded fences, repairs to compromised fences, replacement of fences in poor or non-functioning condition, as well as new fence builds in previously unfenced locations to protect and secure the conservation values within.