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“The voice of grasslands in British Columbia”
20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2019
BC GRASSLANDS
MAGAZINE OF THE GRASSLANDS CONSERVATION COUNCIL OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
Grasslands
Now & Then
INSIDE COVER IMAGE Napier Lake Ranch PHOTO: Jackson Family
BC GRASSLANDS
MAGAZINE OF THE GRASSLANDS CONSERVATION COUNCIL OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2019
The Grasslands Conservation
Grasslands Now and Then
Council of British Columbia
(GCC) was established as a society
in August 1999 and as a registered
charity on December 21, 2001.
We are dedicated to promoting
education, conservation and
stewardship of British Columbia’s
grasslands in collaboration with
our partners, a diverse group of
organizations and individuals
that includes government, range
management specialists, ranchers,
agrologists, ecologists, First Nations, Message from the Chair: Looking For Those who Love Grasslands
land trusts, conservation groups, Back; Looking Forward By Bob Peart, Founding Chair ................. 18
recreationists and grassland By Mark Hornell .................................. 4
enthusiasts. Enhancing Management and
Message from the Program Stewardship of the Laurie Guichon
GCC MISSION:
Manager: Celebrating 20 years of Memorial Grasslands Interpretive Site
• to foster greater understanding
Accomplishments By Heather Richardson .......................... 20
and appreciation for the
By Brad Arner ...................................... 5
ecological, social, economic
and cultural importance of Ecologically-based Weed
grasslands throughout BC; Musings from Past Chair: Management in Rangelands
• promote stewardship and GCC—Reflecting on the Past 20 Years By Rachel Whitehouse, Candidate
sustainable management practices By David Zirnhelt ................................. 6 Thompson Rivers University ....................... 24
that will ensure long-term health
of BC’s grasslands; and Message from Past Lieutenant Grasslands’ Gold: The Role of
• promote the conservation Governor of BC—Rumbling on the Grasslands in Soil Carbon Storage
of representative grassland Grasslands By Lauchlan Fraser, Range, Planning
ecosystems, species at risk By Judith Guichon ................................ 7 and First Nation Relations, BC Ministry
and their habitats. of Forests, Lands and Natural
Grasslands, Fire, and Grazing...Fitting Resources ..................................................... 26
GCC BOARD OF DIRECTORS them all Together
By Jim White ...................................... 8 Great Gray Owl
EXECUTIVE
By Rick Howie ..................................... 28
CHAIR - Mark Hornell
VICE CHAIR - Dr. Lauchlan Fraser The Elephant Hill Wildfire of 2017...
TREASURER - Phil Youwe and The Protected Area Strategy Comments on the passing of a strong
SECRETARY - Mike Dedels of the 1990s. Is there a Link? advocate for rangelands and the
PROGRAM MANAGER - Brad Arner By Judy Steves, Range, Planning and First ranching industry in BC: Alf Bawtree
Nation Relations, BC Ministry of Forests, By Bob France .............................................. 30
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Lands and Natural Resources ..................... 12
David Borth Annual Report 2018: Grasslands
Bob Haywood Farmer Invasive Plant Field Day Conservation Council of BC
Agnes Jackson By Mark Hornell, Chair ............................... 32
By Holly Jackson .................................. 16
Peter Jones
Dennis Lloyd
Heather Richardson
READ MORE
bcgrasslands.org/about-us/leadership/ We wish to gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the
Province of British Columbia in producing this publication.
COVER PHOTO
Popular BC photographer and GCC
supporter, Chris Harris Thank you also to the following contributors:
Editors: Agnes Jackson; Mark Hornell
Design: Julianne Leekie, Fairwinds Design Paul Mumford, Daley and Company
Dunn Meadows Timber, Kamloops
Message from the Chair
Looking Back; Looking Forward
Mark Hornell
A s the GCC begins its 20th
year as an official Society,
it seems appropriate that I write
new initiatives were ramping up related to demonstration
projects (the Hamilton Commonage Demonstration
Project, and the Laurie Guichon Memorial Grassland
this Chair’s message in January, Interpretive Site), grasslands mapping, education and
the month of Janus, Roman information sharing, and stewardship (ATV Committee,
god of beginnings, endings and Healthy Grasslands Symposium). Articles made the case
transitions most often depicted for a provincial strategy for grassland conservation;
with two faces, due to his introduced the BC Grasslands Mapping Project as a vehicle
capacity to look both forward to build a provincial grasslands geographic information
and backward. Twenty years system; advocated for a Cariboo-Chilcotin grassland
marks a significant milestone strategy to address the issue of forest encroachment;
in the life of any organization, a time for reflection on considered land trusts and conservation covenants as
the achievements and lessons of the past, and a look mechanisms to preserve working ranches; raised concern
forward to a future that may be unfolding. For the GCC, about species at risk (Thompson-Okanagan Badger
there is a lot to note in both directions, including many Project, Sharp-Tailed grouse decline); and advocated that
themes and issues that have persisted, not least of which grassland monitoring deserved higher priority in BC.
is the key fact that the GCC itself is still here: we remain In the ensuing two decades, significant progress was
the only organization dedicated exclusively to advocacy made in some of these areas (e.g. the Priority Grasslands
and education in support of the conservation and Initiative) while others remain outstanding (e.g. a
stewardship of BC’s grasslands. provincial strategy for grassland conservation). The GCC
Thankful for the backward glance, I am able to refer is currently active in two projects related to those first
to the July/August 2000 issue of BC Grasslands. In 2000, initiated twenty years ago: the updating of the Priority
the GCC had only been an official Society for one year, Grasslands Initiative (the current Cariboo-Chilcotin
had not yet received registered charity status, and had Ecological Assessment); and, the Laurie Guichon Memorial
moved from being an entirely voluntary organization Grasslands Interpretive Site (the baseline inventory and
to one with a paid executive director, Bruno Delesalle, partnership with the Nicola Valley Community Watershed
only in the past year. The challenge of securing ongoing Round Table). As well, the GCC continues to advocate
stable funding and growing the membership base was on behalf of BC’s grasslands through input on off road
a pressing issue then and so it remains today, with a vehicle management, and the proposed South Okanagan
comparable level of uncertainty and anxiety over the Grassland National Park reserve. As well, we hope to be
future of the GCC. able to report on new initiatives and partnerships related
In 2000, the GCC had a much bigger board, with 22 to grasslands stewardship and restoration in future issues
members including on the executive Bob Peart as Chair, of BC Grasslands.
Jim White as Vice-Chair, Nichola Gerts as Secretary, and In some ways, the GCC has come full circle in the
Dennis Lloyd as Treasurer. In addition to Dennis Lloyd, past 20 years. From its beginnings as a volunteer driven
who rejoined the Board in 2018, our current Board has organization through a period of financial stability, a
two members – Agnes Jackson (Editor in Chief of this significant staff complement, and major projects and
issue of BC Grasslands) and Phil Youwe (our current initiatives, we have returned to a place very similar to
Treasurer) who were on the masthead as board members where we started: an organization with an active board
in 2000. Most of those who were on the board then with some paid contract support (specifically, Brad Arner
continue to support and advocate on behalf of BC as Program Manager these past several months, and Hallie
grasslands to this day in one capacity or another. The MacDonald providing bookkeeping and administrative
organization would not have persisted over those two support services), focused on a few key projects but with
decades without the commitment of these and so many big aspirations for the future, which you can read about in
other GCC members and supporters. our new Strategic Plan, available on our website:
One gets a strong sense that in 2000 the GCC was http://bcgrasslands.org/what-we-do/
going through a period of transition: from a voluntary However, as in 2000, the GCC will only be able to fulfill
organization to one with full time staff; from funding these ambitions if stable funding can be secured, our
uncertainty to some hope of financial stability; and, from membership and volunteer base grows, and we can form
the “stormin’ and normin’” phase of organizational durable partnerships with like-minded organizations. If
development to some serious “performin’ ”. Exciting you love BCs grasslands, please support us in this work.
4 BC GRASSLANDS
Message from the Program Manager
Celebrating 20 years of Accomplishments
Brad Arner
T he Grasslands
Conservation
Council of BC (GCC) will
being done by Thompson Rivers University, is being
used to work with the range tenure holder and the
Province on land management challenges.
be celebrating its 20th The Nicola Watershed Community Round Table was
Anniversary in 2019! instrumental in getting this site formally designated
Looking back at what the and has done a fantastic job of building and
GCC has accomplished over maintaining the public infrastructure. The log book at
the years is impressive. the Site has records of visitors from around the world
Starting from scratch in stopping and admiring this diverse grassland landscape.
1999, GCC built itself as The other project that has gathered momentum over
a respected organization known for its the past few months is the Cariboo-Chilcotin Ecological
cooperative approach, using science and local Assessment. An offshoot of the Priority Grasslands
knowledge to make better decisions on Initiative, this project is drawing on the knowledge
grassland management. of local experts to identify critical grassland habitat.
The AGM is planned for the South Okanagan Once completed, the information will be rolled out to
this June, and a 20th anniversary gala event in regional resource planners so better decisions can be
the Kamloops area later this fall. I hope to see made about land management.
GCC supporters old and new as we celebrate this I joined GCC last October, and found an organization
milestone. Look for details on our website. of passionate Directors ready to take on the challenges
Lately, GCC has been busy working on updating Not-for-Profits face today. I am confident that GCC will
and improving the baseline inventory work at the continue to grow and be the voice for grasslands. It is
Laurie Guichon Memorial Grasslands Interpretive Site a privilege to be a part of the organization and look
near Merritt. This information, along with research forward to 2019!
Grasslands of Farwell Canyon
PHOTO: Chris Harris
Musings from Past Chair
GCC—Reflecting on the past 20 years
David Zirnhelt
This is ambitious because government has even less
capacity that it did before the early 2000s. The GCC
remains one of the few organizations with a grasslands
focus. It needs the capacity to engage in renewed land
use planning.
The GCC can celebrate its initiative to engage with
Thompson Rivers University, particularly Lauch Fraser, to
get carbon sequestration research going on BC’s grasslands.
Much has been accomplished over the years.
Another climate related area is the effect of cattle
on the emission of Greenhouse gases (GHGs), notably
methane. John Church, also of TRU, has done a lot to
PHOTO: David with grandson Locklan measure and propose mitigative techniques to minimize
GHGs produced by cattle.
I
TRU has also focused on Invasive Species and
t was an honour to be asked to join the board of the Restoration often collaborating with the GCC and
Grasslands Conservation Council of BC (GCC) over a BC Cattlemen’s Association.
decade ago. GCC members in the Cariboo Chilcotin are working
The dual task of helping to keep working ranches with other supporters of the Cariboo’s grassland’s park
working and conserving the resource base of a biodiverse which includes the Empire Valley Ranch. The group is
landscape namely, the grasslands of BC, remains a called the “Friend’s of Churn Creek.” It supports invasive
challenge 20 years after the formation of the GCC. plant control and prescribed burning among other
Our grasslands are relatively small on a world scale, but activities, such as interpretive walks.
they are also relatively in good natural condition, which The role of volunteer organizations such as the GCC
means we can more easily get enhancement results than is important, but must be backed by the resources
many other jurisdictions can. of foundations, private sector and government. This
The GCC survived the aftermath of major cutbacks in is especially so because much of the work is really
funding from the Government of BC and the reduction government’s work responsibility. Government’s role
in foundation support as endowments suffered major has been diminished in the last several years.
declines in revenues from their investments. Remaining work facing the GCC and its partners is: to
We know that since much of the grasslands of BC are convince the public, private land owners, First Nations,
stewarded by private landowners (ranches) and First local government and senior governments about the key
Nations authorities, we have to pay attention to the opportunity there is for carbon to be quickly sequestered
viability of those entities and support the depth of their (much faster than forests can) to mitigate climate change.
caring about this resource. Most ranchers understand the importance of climate
My own efforts these days are devoted to on-ranch change mitigation. Additionally, agriculture producers
trials and support for collaboration between the both intensive (tame forage and cropping agriculture)
universities and producers to develop new knowledge for and extensive (range based) forage operations, ranches,
the challenge of carbon sequestration. can manage their operations to do even more.
During my time on the GCC Board and especially Were initiatives like these mentioned supported with
as Chair for six years, we struggled to keep a critical incentive dollars, this mitigation could move quickly.
foundation of staff to manage an ambitious workload. Carbon sequestration brings other benefits to producers
Many of the regional and sub-regional land use plans and beneficiaries of environmental goods and services.
that occurred during the 1990s and the early 2000s had The key role of GCC is to energize the collaboration
grassland components. Recently there has been much between the private and public sectors, to work together
discussion about landscape level planning which could on furthering the conservation and enhancement of our
give effect to grassland objectives. great grasslands.
6 BC GRASSLANDS
Message from Past Lieutenant Governor of BC
Rumbling on the Grasslands
Judith Guichon
W e are the sum total of
our life experiences. My
own life has been a wonderful
institutions which guide this
growing nation.
We know that climate, as
As I believe that every
day is Earth Day,
I would like to share
mixture of east and west, of always, is changing. Evidence a poem by Jane Yolen,
family, hockey and grasslands. I originally written
abounds that things are moving
never imagined 49 years ago as for Earth Day:
more quickly than predicted and
I set forth on a journey of some the next generation will be faced
5500 miles, from Montreal to with finding better ways to live in
Whitehorse and then through tune with the natural world. On I am the Earth
marriage to ranching in British the ranch when we embarked And the Earth is me.
Columbia’s interior, that I would be privileged to serve as upon Holistic Management some Each blade of grass,
the Lieutenant Governor of this diverse province. My goal thirty years ago, we did the hard
Each honey tree,
while there was to visit every valley and although there work of creating a vision. That
were not enough days to accomplish that enormous task, I vision talks about things other Each bit of mud,
did indeed see so much of the rich diverse beauty that is BC. than pounds of beef, tons of hay And stick and stone
And in every community I discovered wonderful or millions of dollars produced. Is blood and muscle,
citizens committed to their particular corner of this Products we hoped to harvest:
Skin and bone.
province, managing often through tremendous change,
to maintain the lifestyle that folks had grown used to. I • Time to enjoy the great beauty And just as I
particularly remember Tahsis, a town with infrastructure that surrounds us; Need every bit
built to accommodate some 4000 citizens now trying to • Freedom to make choices good or
Of me to make
keep things going with barely 400 folks. bad and to learn from them; and
My body fit,
And then there is Tumbler Ridge, originally planned • Opportunities for love, lust for
life and laughter. So Earth needs
as a coal town but now reinventing themselves with a
wonderful UNESCO World Heritage Site showing the Grass and stone and tree
It is these products of our
marvelous dinosaurs who have left their mark in that labour that we as Canadians are And things that grow here
valley. So many distinctive, communities providing places so privileged to enjoy, none of Naturally.
for British Columbians to put down roots. which needs to diminish the finite That’s why we
But roots require healthy soils. In 2015 we celebrated physical resources found on our
Celebrate this day.
the international year of soils declared by the United small blue dot, our home. I urge
Nations. There is a quote from 1938 by Soil Scientist Dr. That’s why across
us all to greet the future with a
Charles Kellogg who asks “Do civilizations fail because great lust for life, much laughter The world we say:
soils fail to produce or does soil fail only when people and above all choose love. As long as life,
living on it no longer know how to manage their
Thank you, As dear, as free,
civilization?”
History illustrates that these two often go hand in I am the Earth
hand. And that is why wherever I travelled I beseeched And the Earth is me.
our students to value and guard both our precious soils Judith Guichon, Rancher and Former
on which civilization rests and the inclusive democratic Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
7
Grasslands, Fire, and Grazing...
Fitting them all Together
By Jim White
S ince the first pastoralist watched choose to graze is the previous experience of the
his first animal eating, humankind’s grazing animals. When my father was changing from
observations have been confirming that all plants are a steer operation to a cow-calf herd, he turned out
not created equal – as judged by the grazing patterns some recently purchased cows on a mountainous
of animals. Some plants are more palatable, others grassland range on which we had been grazing
are more productive, and they may be grasses, forbs yearling steers for many years. This range was not
(flowering plants), or shrubs. Animals get fat eating fully fenced, but the steers had never found the
some plants, just maintain themselves on others, while unfenced sections – even though yearling steers are
a few plants are actually poisonous and can cause well known to be restless, long distance wanderers.
sickness – subtle or dramatic, even ending in death. So
The gaps were too simply too far away for the steers.
plants do vary genetically... a lot, which is major factor
But these old range cows had lived on a rough
in determining the preference of grazing animals.
landscape in an area where water holes were far few
Season of use is another major factor that
and far between. The day after the newly purchased
influences animal use. It also affects the impact of
cows were turned out, Dad got an urgent call from a
grazing on the plants themselves. Many plants are
farmer who owned an alfalfa field adjacent to a far
palatable when young... at maturity some species
corner of our range. The cows had traveled a couple
are considerably more palatable than others. And
of steep miles over a high ridge and down the other
while there is only a slight physiological impact to
a plant when it is grazed while dormant, grazing it side to end up in a fence corner where there was
in the latter part of its rapid growth period usually no accessible water. The steers had never
has a major impact. When a major part of a plant is gone that far. The worried farmer
bitten off the plant is stressed as it uses root reserves called to warn Dad of a pending
to get growth underway again. If that new regrowth disaster. The cows were thirsty
is also bitten off, the plant is stressed again, but has and it was a matter of time
used already used some of its root reserves to restart until they pushed through
growth the first time. Now it is using more reserves, his fence to get a drink
while it is nearing the end of its available moisture. It from his sprinklers -
therefore may not be able to re-grow, and re-establish probably to die
those reserves. That results in the plant going into from bloat on the
dormancy without strong reserves to restart growth lush green alfalfa.
the next spring, resulting in slower and later growth. Needless to say
Inherent palatability, stage of maturity, severity of horses were hastily
slope, and distance from drinking water are some of loaded and we quickly
the factors that affect how animals use plants. drove to the problem area
Also a key factor in determining where animals to move the cows back to
8 BC GRASSLANDS
Arrow-leaved balsamroot (Balsamorrhiza sagittata)
PHOTO: Susan Bond
where they could get water safely. These old cows cows. Right from turnout, the new cows were quietly
came from a big, dry country, and traveling was kept well scattered by the low-key efforts of those
simply a way of life – a necessity to survive. three. Years later the old man, the old horse and the
We learned that if these cows knew how to do old dog were all gone... but their legacy lived on - with
one thing well, it was to travel. When they arrived the cows grazing lightly over a large area of rough
on our range they just did what they were used to. rangeland – all on their own. That pattern had simply
It was an important lesson: the background and become their custom. It did not take high tech tools,
education of animals is a major factor shaping how nor skillful cowboys on fast horses - just 3 really elderly
they use the range, which is why it is so important to seniors quietly and slowly guiding where the cattle
get them started with the right habits when they are grazed, and in the process teaching those young cows
introduced to a new range. Domestic or wild grazing good habits that would last a lifetime. Light grazing
animals may both do things a certain way simply scattered over a large area had become the pattern for
because that is what they have learned. these cows... now it was just their normal way of life.
A rancher near Lillooet once obtained a piece of Grazing animals are largely taught the patterns that
steep, rugged rangeland. I rode through it with him they follow. And a bonus is that an educated adult
some years later. The level of grazing was light and will also teach her offspring good habits, whether
very widely distributed – it was most impressive. I she is a cow or an elk. It is fortunate that we can also
asked how often he rode, assuming by the look of the use other tools, such as water development, fencing,
range that he was there several times a week. riding and salting to help shape how cattle grazing is
But his reply was, “Oh, maybe every three distributed.
weeks”. I was a bit startled. Uniform Burning can also be an effective tool for
grazing on steep terrain, when sustainability in the grasslands. Where shrub or
management was infrequent, tree establishment has become excessively dense, fire
made no sense at all. I would kills shrubs such as sagebrush, as well as encroaching
have expected pockets of small Douglas fir or Ponderosa pine. It will encourage
severe grazing between large re-sprouting of shrubs important to wildlife, such
areas with no grazing use as Saskatoon and rose, resulting in more accessible
at all. Further questioning browse. Burning areas that are being ignored by
pointed to another great grazing animals while they overgraze other areas may
lesson. When the rancher had be a useful tool to encourage animals to spread out
first used this piece of range, their grazing. Bighorn sheep respond enthusiastically
he had hired an old man from an to the regrowth following fire, as noted by one
adjacent reserve, with an old horse biologist who said he could manage wild sheep
and an old dog, to look after the grazing with a match. So true.
20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2019 9
However the use of fire is both an exacting science or domestic. Fortunately the increase of palatability
and a refined skill. Its inappropriate use can lead to following a fire does diminish over time.
catastrophic escapes by those who are casual about All grazing animals need water. They may be
observing the factors that control fire intensity. A lot able to do without water when there is snow on
is now known about the combination of fuel type, the ground, but some ranchers say that even then
fuel moisture, humidity, temperature, wind and light their cattle do better if they have good water – even
intensity that produce desired results... or that lead to when eating in the snow. If water is too infrequent,
a dramatic escape. Spring burns are often safer than development of any potential sources is a priority
fall burns, even though one would assume that winter to prevent concentrated grazing. Hauling water
snows would surely extinguish a fall burn, while a may even be feasible where it would improve the
long, hot summer may follow a spring burn. However, distribution of grazing use. Sometimes hauled water
soils may be dry in the fall, allowing fire to ‘hang over’ makes forage available when and where needed to
by smoldering underground in dead roots and coming balance a grazing system, for the benefit of all the
back to life the next summer - during hot, dry and users of that grassland. Piping water long distances
windy conditions. Therefore spring burns when the soil can often be done at a reasonable cost.
is moist are the better choice in many circumstances. Season of use and frequency of cattle grazing are
Developing personnel who are skilled in the use of two critical factors that managers can control. It
prescribed fire is always a challenge. People trained in is nearly impossible to maintain, much less improve,
fire suppression develop a different skill set, and may the health of B.C. grasslands when grazing during
do poorly managing prescribed fire. the growing season occurs every year. Some form
It is unusual for fire to actually damage the main of rotation grazing is required that combines spring
plants of a grassland. However, the new growth grazing, a season of rest, and fall grazing over a
following a fire is very vulnerable to grazing damage. period of several years. Also repeated annual fall or
Without a mixture of old growth, it is very palatable, winter grazing works well, and sometimes better fits
and there is no stubble line that restricts how low an the needs of the ranch. But if growing season grazing
animal grazes. Regrowth may be bitten off right at is needed on a grassland, a properly designed rotation
the soil surface – which is a very severe grazing impact. of spring or fall use and rest on any given pasture
A rest from grazing for at least one growing season over a sequence of years is necessary to maintain
after a fire is therefore frequently recommended. The or improve grassland health, and to maximize the
rest from spring grazing in a rotation grazing system volume of grazing that can occur. And it is that
can be a major benefit to recovery of a burned area, greater productivity and increased grazing use are key
especially if full season long rest of the pasture is incentives to making investments in more intensive
not feasible. That works for cattle - seldom for elk or management; management that will, in most cases
Bighorn sheep, which aren’t much for following plans. also result in habitat improvement for a variety
Due to the major increase of palatability following of species.
a fire, burning can be a tool to re-distribute wild Our grasslands are a very valuable resource, on
ungulate use. That can be an asset or a liability which so many of our listed species depend, as well
– burning can pull animals to little used areas, or as a source of high quality protein for humans – not
conversely if a preferred area burns it can become to mention striking viewscapes for our mental health.
very hard to limit the use by grazing animals – wild They deserve our careful management.
10 BC GRASSLANDSSparrow Grasslands
PHOTO: Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC)
20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2019 11The Elephant Hill Wildfire of 2017…and
The Protected Area Strategy of the 1990s.
Is there a Link?
By Judy Steves
(Retired employee of 35 years in the BC Ministry of Forests,
Lands and Natural Resources in Kamloops, spanning Range,
Planning and First Nation Relations)
Elephant Hill Wildfire
I got the call at 3 a.m. in the morning on August 4th,
2017. My brother’s ranch, in Back Valley northwest
of Savona, was being evacuated.
Firewatchers helped keep us all informed. By the end
of July, 79,000 hectares was burnt, and throughout
August the Beast doubled in size, still out of control.
In the cool hours of the morning, strong winds blew By the end of September the Beast had consumed
south fanning the smouldering southeast flank of the over 250 homes and structures and 190,000 hectares
Elephant Hill Wildfire. This become an inferno that of forest and range lands. This wildfire spanned an
ran down-hill towards my brother’s ranch. Facing my astonishing 80 km from Ashcroft to Green Lake. Over
fears, I drove my truck the 70 km from Kamloops to 50,000 people were evacuated. I feel heart-broken
the ranch to help move livestock out of harm’s way. for all those who lost their homes from the Elephant
It was no small feat, taking from dawn to midnight, Hill wildfire, for the trauma endured, for impacted
with much appreciated help from family, friends, livelihoods, and for all the wildlife and livestock
neighbours, government officials and complete who lost their lives. But thankfully no people died.
strangers. My farm near Kamloops became the safe- My brother was very lucky as the fire burned to the
haven for a barnyard menagerie: 100 head of cows west and north beyond the perimeters of his ranch-
and calves, 3 massive bulls, 26 pigs, 7 horses, 3 dogs, lands, and as a result his beautiful log home was left
and a llama. Overnight I became an “instant rancher”. unscathed, and his livestock survived to return home.
Our friends and neighbours to the east of us in the It was with resounding relief we heard the “All Clear”
Skeetchestn First Nation community, and Deadman’s on September 20th, as containment was reached,
Creek valley were threatened and evacuated too. evacuation alerts came off, and the fall’s cooler nights
A month prior, the Elephant Hill Wildfire had ignited had finally arrived.
on July 7th, 2017 near the main Thompson River to My summer and fall were hijacked- like thousands
the west of Ashcroft BC, and quickly travelled east, of others affected by the wildfires of 2017. Many
lighting up the grasslands of Elephant Hill Park; and people are emotionally scarred by the ordeal, as
destroying the homes of the Ashcroft First Nation physically scarred is the land… left to heal and
community, and Boston Flats subdivision. The Elephant recover with time.
Hill Park is miles away from my brother’s ranch, and In retrospect, the 2017 weather had set the stage for
it was unbelievable that the wildfire would reach the perfect storm (fire-storm that is) with spring rains
Back Valley. During the weeks that followed the that produced lush growth (spring floods even), that
winds chased ‘the Beast” (as we came to call it) to then became tinder fuel for fires, with a summer of
the northwest beyond the ranch past Clinton. But extremely dry conditions and only 8 mm of rain; and
often there was a nerve-wracking ebb and flow, as abnormally high winds that fanned the flames. But
the winds sometimes turned to the southeast towards these were unprecedented fires - and other factors
the ranch. Daily we monitored the news, on pins and were a consideration… It made me wonder
needles as to whether homes of neighbours, friends, if I had inadvertently played a role, in the early 90s,
and family would burn. The Skeetchestn First Nation’s over twenty years prior.
12 BC GRASSLANDSIn the background, Elephant Hill blackened, Foreboding red skies, view of the east side of Arrowstone Hills
and in the foreground, the tragically burned burning, as the Elephant Hill Wildfire was fanned by winds blowing
Boston Flats community south at 3 in the morning.. (View from the ranch in Back Valley).
PHOTO: Online news coverage PHOTO: Judy Steves
The Protected Area Strategy of the 1990s
In 1992 the Provincial government introduced the domestic livestock grazing had unnatural aspects.
Protected Area Strategy, to protect 12% of BC’s Protected Areas were established, and most of these
natural environment. At the time I was a range became Parks under BC Parks authority. The Elephant
manager for the Ministry of Forests and was Hill area became one of these areas, as did the
tasked with assisting a public Land and Resource Arrowstone Hills (northeast of Cache Creek, on the
Management Plan (LRMP) process. Part of this plan east side of the Caribou highway), and both were
was to work closely with stakeholder groups to seek legally established as Protected Areas in 1995. Both
consensus to locate these protected areas in areas burnt in 2017.
that would reduce impacts while protecting values.
First Nations were invited to participate in the LRMP Protected Areas and Wildfire
however they declined, as there were political and
legal considerations, and this was not the forum to The intent for the Elephant Hill Protected Area
address outstanding aboriginal rights and title issues was to protect 900 hectares of natural grassland
(which had only begun to be considered by the BC ecosystems, much under ‘Strict Preservation’. I believe
Government). the Elephant Hill grasslands had not been grazed or
I worked closely with the conservation and burned for over 20 years, so these grasslands lit up like
rancher representatives and became the Chair of the a torch. And the wildfire officially became named the
Livestock Grazing in Protected Areas Subcommittee Elephant Hill Wildfire, although it massively affected
of the LRMP. In the beginning we had named the other lands. Out of control the fire blew north,
conservation representatives as “the environmental threatening but thankfully by-passing Cache Creek, to
sector”, but the ranching representatives quickly spark a fiery blaze along the west side of Arrowstone
pointed out that ranchers were environmentalists too. Hills. The 6200 hectares of Arrowstone Hills Protected
The conservation sector initially wanted no livestock Area had also been categorized as ‘strict preservation’.
use in these proposed protected areas, however The intent was to protect environmental values
discovering this would have huge impacts putting of extensive old growth Douglas fir, unique
many family ranches out of business, a compromise representation of grasslands, critical winter habitat
was reached. Livestock grazing would be allowed to for mule deer, and the home of rare wildlife species
continue in most of these Protected Areas, while some such as burrowing owls, falcons and rattle snakes.
key sites would be set aside as “ungrazed benchmark As well the area involved significant First Nation and
areas”. The intent for the ungrazed benchmark areas, archaeological interests with historic quarries (hence
was to monitor the grazed protected areas over time the name ‘Arrowstone’). The Arrowstone Hills had
to help confirm that properly managed livestock in also not been grazed for decades, and it was full of
the protected areas could co-exist with environmental the dead, dry timber of beetle-killed pine, as salvage
goals. Although grazing occurs naturally by wildlife logging had not occurred in the Protected Area. This
species, the conservation sector’s perspective was that large tinder-dry fuel enabled a monstrous inferno
20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2019 13Firefighters who battled the Elephant Hill wildfire—some from The devastation at the once beautiful Dairy (Tsotin) Lake area, to
Mexico and Australia. Photo taken at Skeetchestn’s movie set. the southeast of Arrowstone Hills (formerly had beautiful
In gratitude to firefighters. Stay safe. unique stands of Juniper trees, now turned to ash)
PHOTO: Judy Steves PHOTO: Judy Steves
that was fanned by strong winds that blew north. The What is natural anyway? Ancient history suggests
wildfire consumed the west side of Arrowstone Hills, our interior ecosystems (which we consider to be
threatening the Bonaparte First Nation community natural) developed with an intense prescribed burning
and the town of Clinton. Weeks later, as the wildfire regime carried out by the people of the First Nation
continued uncontrollably, the winds turned south, communities possibly for thousands of years. Maybe
fanning the Beast’s smouldering southeast flank, and having no human management actions in Protected
the wildfire consumed the east side of the Arrowstone Areas (and other areas) defeats our environmental
Hills. It would seem BC’s environmental goals to goals. Maybe we should be viewing the historic
protect old growth forest and grassland ecosystems prescribed burning by First Nations as “natural”. The
were compromised by this wildfire, and preservation present-day First Nation communities have an oral
of fuels may have contributed. history and understanding of past burning practices.
These two ungrazed protected areas were This presents an opportunity to work together to
established with good intentions but may now serve achieve goals, inclusive of prescribed fire, grazing and
as a red flag for the need to manage the fuel load logging.
in Protected Areas/Parks, with a combination of The personal highlight for me of the Land and
tools such as prescribed fire, prescribed grazing, and Resource Management Planning process in the 1990s,
prescribed logging. Of course, there are other factors was meeting the diverse public stakeholder reps.
that caused the Elephant Hill Wildfire to become a (Though it was unfortunate that First Nation voices
raging monster for three months, but it seems that were not part of the process at that time.) “Hard on
the fuel load everywhere, and specifically in these two issues, soft on people” was the facilitators refrain,
protected areas contributed significantly. generating mutual respect, understanding, and
Some ask, why not let Parks burn “naturally”? In friendships. I grew as a person, upon hearing and
some Parks, under certain conditions, wildfires could learning about the perspectives of the ‘other side’.
be allowed to burn. However, summer wildfires can The Grasslands Council of BC was established with a
burn hotter than prescribed burns in the cool seasons; similar philosophy, about that same time. I extend best
can take out desired plants and trees; can burn deep wishes to the Grasslands Council for their next 20 years.
in the soil; and can become uncontrollable burning We are entering a new age of addressing the impacts
beyond Park limits, with harmful impacts. Others of Climate Change, including increased wildfires. This
consider the wildfires of today to be unnatural, with is a call for all of us to work together to meet this
abnormal drought and winds from climate change, challenge. To highlight some wise words from my First
tree-planting of mono-cultures, abnormal bug-kill, Nation friends: We are all stewards of this earth. Here’s
years of fire prevention, lack of natural fires to create to learning from the past, and to forward thinking for
a mosaic of burned areas on the landscape etc. And the next seven generations. We do not own this land,
now there is concern for greenhouse gases from we are borrowing it from our children.
massive wildfires.
14 BC GRASSLANDSJunction Sheep Range Provincial Park
PHOTO: Chris Harris
20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2019 15Invasive Plant Field Day
By Holly Jackson
W hen I drove over the Coquihalla Connector
nearing Merritt two years ago, the extent of
the knapweed invasion was obvious. While the purple-
Pest Management (IPM) with a particular focus on the
treatment options available, primarily mechanical,
chemical and biological. Drawing on expertise from
coloured hillsides appeared attractive from a distance, the field to introduce the topics, and share stories of
the invasive plant causing the purple hue is anything successes and challenges.
but appealing. Poignantly, it was clear evidence of what
ranchers had been raising concerns about with escalating Integrated Pest Management
urgency for several years. As land managers, ranchers Robson Rogan with Purity Feed got the day rolling by
know the devastation knapweed causes the rangelands, explaining Integrated Pest Management and aspects
and the weed seemed to be spreading unchecked. Many in of each part. Integrated pest management includes
the industry have been advocating for more money to be prevention, identification, monitoring, thresholds,
dedicated to curbing the spread of invasive plants with the treatment and evaluation. Rogan emphasized the
aim of improving the health of the landscape. In 2017, importance of evaluating what worked, or didn’t, at the
$2.2 million over three years was announced for an end of each year. As part of the Purity Feed’s team that
invasive plant species pilot project in the Thompson-Nicola. specializes in invasive plant management, Rogan talked
about the success of spray programs. He showed the
Fast Forward: July 23, 2018 crowd a before and after photograph of a Nicola Valley
Over seventy people gathered on one of those purple site that had been treated with the herbicide, Grazon.
hillsides at the Laurie Guichon Memorial Grasslands He also spoke about the importance of using the whole
Interpretive Site kiosk to learn about invasive plant toolbox of treatment options to prevent the potential
management. The audience included ranchers, First for the plants to become resistant to herbicides.
Nations, spray contractors, government and private
industry staff and local community members from Bio-Control
Kamloops to Merritt. Mike Dedels, Invasive Plant An alternative to chemical control of invasive plants is
Coordinator for the TNRD, organized the field day biological control but you need to know what you want
with Purity Feed and Agrowest Consulting to meet the to achieve with your treatment.
education and outreach mandate of the pilot program. “Know your goal,” said Catherine Tarasoff during her
The new Thompson-Nicola Invasive Plant Management presentation on using biological control.
Committee (TNIPMC) sponsored the event. Biological control uses a plant’s natural enemies, insects,
“With thousands of hectares infested with noxious to control the weed – it results in stunted plant growth
weeds it is important that we use all of the tools and and reduced spread of the weed over time; however, it
expertise at our disposal to limit their spread and impact. will not eradicate the plant completely. As such, Tarasoff
The extra funding under the pilot program has allowed notes that it is best suited for sensitive areas where other
us to undertake a number of treatments in key areas and options for control may not be suitable such as gravelly
it is exciting to see so many people interested in weed soil, steep slopes or near water. On the other hand, it is
control come out to share their experiences,” says Dedels. not a good option for areas where disturbance is planned
The day was built around a discussion about Integrated (i.e. tilling). Tarasoff encouraged people to have realistic
16 BC GRASSLANDSexpectations for bio-control and that it is best used as In another presentation by Amy Farella, the attendees
part of a complete Integrated Pest Management Program. learned about one experience with training cattle to eat
She suggested that using a combination of tools would weeds. Cattle have also been trained to target specific
be valuable. For example, biocontrol could be used in weed species. In partnership with ranchers in the Bulkley
sensitive areas where the perimeter is sprayed with Valley area, Farella undertook a two year project to train
herbicide to prevent the spread of the invasive plant to a cattle to eat weeds. The cattle were gradually introduced
larger area. Or that browsing animals, like goats, could be to new foods in tubs and slowly transitioned to eating
used in combination with bio-control if timed right and weeds in pastures. While the project highlighted that
compatible with the insect (i.e. Root Weevils cattle can learn to eat weeds and that others in the herd
in knapweed). Monitoring of bio-control sites is critical will follow the lead of the trained animals, cattle will
too. After all, a living insect is being released into a prefer to eat plants that have higher nutritional value.
living environment and many factors can impact the Timing and management then becomes critical to success.
insects success.
New Knapweed Research
Grazing of Weeds – Goats and Cattle While much of the funding for the TNRD invasive plant
Goat grazer, Tami Salmon, spoke about her experience pilot project is focused on treatment of weeds, particularly
using her herd of 250-300 goats to manage weeds. Using knapweed, some of the money was targeted towards
the acronym G.O.A.T.S.S.S for Goals, Options, Animal research. Rachel Whitehouse is undertaking research
Management, Timing and Scaleable, Soils and Surprises, on the grasslands interpretive site. The research began
Tami explained the benefits of using goats along with in 2018. The focus is on establishing healthy plant
the challenges. In order to use goats effectively, you communities once knapweed has been removed from the
need to know the plant, the plant stages and the landbase, focussing on the soil composition. It is believed
landscape. With invasive plant management, Salmon that knapweed creates higher levels of nitrogen in the
notes that goats are a long-term solution, not an soil making it difficult for native and grass plants to re-
immediate fix. It will take several seasons of grazing to establish. Whitehouse’s research will involve looking at
combat invasive plants but the plants will be smaller with adding ash to the treated sites and then seeding sites with
fewer seed heads. You want to stress the plant when it either crested wheatgrass or a native seed mix.
is most robust and you might need to target the plants
twice in one season. She notes soils are improved with Bringing People Together
grazing animals as grazing animals recycle nutrients Several ranchers attended the field day, adding their
from something you don’t want to something you do. knowledge and experiences to the discussion.
Essentially, goats are walking composters. She also says “The event attracted a lot of participation from
they are compatible with other animals; goats can be the public who come with a variety of aspects and
interests in the problem,” says BCCA General
used to target brush leaving better grazing for cows and
Manager Kevin Boon. “It is a great opportunity to
horses. They also travel lightly, tilling the soil as they bring everyone together to create a better understanding
go. And finally, Salmon warns, with goats, there will of the serious nature of the invasive plant problem.”
inevitably be surprises!
20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2019 17For Those Who Love Grasslands
By Bob Peart
Founding Chair
L ike most people before I moved to BC in the early
1980’s, what came to mind were surf girt islands,
tall old trees, salmon, grizzly bears and beautiful
of the grasslands and conserving representative
grassland ecosystems. And that is what the GCC has
been doing so well for 20 years—a record to be
mountain scenery. However, as I explored the province proud of!
I discovered the sprawling rangelands, the hot dry Much has changed over the last twenty years—
river canyons of the interior, and the high elevation grassland conservation has been strengthened, there
mountain passes. And those wonderful grassland are new management techniques to ensure range
landscapes that dot the province. sustainably and climate change has caused many
As I explored more and began meeting people landscape changes that must now be considered. On
I found out that the future of these grasslands was the other hand, much has remained the same—the
not secure, and that they faced many threats. I also threats and concerns related to urban and natural
found a number of like-minded naturalists, ranchers encroachment and keeping the larger working
and scientists who, like me, were concerned about ranches operating remain consistent.
their future. The other constant is the GCC itself as countless
Thus, was the background to the initial meeting hours are needed to ensure its future, financial
of ‘those who loved grasslands’ in June 1996 at stability and on-going operation. We need the GCC to
the Big Bar Guest Ranch on the edge of the upper continue to be the voice for grasslands and advocate
Fraser Canyon. We came together because of our to keep range lands functioning and conserving the
common concern that BC’s grasslands and range wildlife, birds and plants that make them so special.
weren’t receiving the attention they deserved in As I wrote in one of my first messages from the
the various land use processes being undertaken Chair: the care and concern for grasslands gets lost
throughout the province; and that many of BC’s in the forest-dominated culture of BC – yet it is these
grasslands regions were threatened by urban sprawl, grasslands that harbour many of Canada’s rare and
natural encroachment and the conversion of the endangered species as well as a culture and history
large working ranches into ‘ranchettes.’ At Big Bar, that we can’t afford to lose.
it became clear that we needed a new organization In closing, I want to thank all former board
whose primary focus was the future of BC’s grasslands, members and staff, all the volunteers and our
and we agreed that this new organization should be supporters who through their dedication and efforts
called the Grasslands Conservation Council of BC. Two have made the GCC the success it is. Two decades later
years later the GCC became a reality! the Grassland Conservation Council continues to be a
The objectives of the GCC focused on fostering crucial voice advocating for BC’s grassland landscapes,
public understanding of BC’s grasslands, supporting and we need to ensure that voice continues on into
sustainable ranching, ensuring the long-term health the future.
Quilchena Valley
PHOTO: Jim White
18 BC GRASSLANDSTatlayoko Lake Ranch
PHOTO: Bernadette Mertens-McAllister
20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2019 19Enhancing
Management and
Stewardship of
the Laurie Guichon
Memorial Grasslands
Interpretive Site
By Heather Richardson Located on the approximately 11 km east
of Merritt, British Columbia, the site occupies
102 ha of Provincial Crown land.
PHOTO: Dennis Lloyd
T he Laurie Guichon Memorial Grasslands
Interpretive Site is an initiative that was developed
by the Nicola Watershed Community Round Table
maintained for the purposes of recreational and/
or conservation activities”. Volunteer members of
the NWCRT have been crucial stewards of this land,
(NWCRT) to educate both residents and visitors about maintaining the outhouses, weeding, collecting
the ecological significance of the interior grasslands. garbage, and adding interpretive signs and trails to
The site opened in 2001 and showcases the importance educate visitors about the grasslands’ history, use, and
of the grassland ecosystems and how they are an biodiversity.
integral part of the ecological, cultural, and economic Since the site opened, it has seen increasing
fabric of the region. pressures from recreational use, cattle grazing,
The site was named in honour of Laurie Guichon habitat fragmentation, climate change, and invasive
(October 15 1944 – July 19 1999), a fourth generation species. In early 2017, the NWCRT convened a
rancher in the Nicola Valley and founding member of meeting to discuss the degradation of the site, calling
the NWCRT. Laurie was enthusiastic about creating a on various stakeholders from: the GCC; Ministry
grasslands interpretive site and the site was part of his of Forests, Land and Natural Resource Operations
vision to bring people together to share knowledge and Rural Development (FLNRO); Thompson Rivers
and responsibility for the land. University (TRU); British Columbia Cattlemen’s
On April 1 2012, the NWCRT entered into Association; Nicola Tribal Association; Lower Nicola
a “Recreation Sites and Trails BC Partnership Band; Upper Nicola Band; Chutter Ranch; Napier Lake
Agreement” with the province under the Forest Ranch; and interested citizens. While education and
and Range Practices Act. The primary purpose of maintenance were the primary goals of the site when
the agreement is “to have the land managed and first envisioned, the NWCRT now sees the possibility
20 BC GRASSLANDSThe osprey pictured here is one of the 74 bird species have
been observed on the site, according to the eBird database.
PHOTO: Murphy Shewchuk
of an expanded role around active management and Due to heavy recreational use of the site and cattle
stewardship of the site. The various pressures to the grazing, 46% of the grasslands are now in poor
site demonstrated a need for a baseline inventory and condition, based on an assessment of the plant species
comprehensive management plan. composition, disturbance, and soil health.
The goal of the initiative is to conserve biological Several invasive species were observed at the site,
diversity by increasing active management and however spotted knapweed (Centaurea biebersteinii)
stewardship of the site while concurrently providing is the main species of concern. Knapweed is a prolific
opportunities for research and public education. To seed producer that can establish large monocultures
help accomplish this, the GCC has partnered with the and cause a reduction in wildlife and livestock forage
NWCRT to establish a management plan for the area. production, a lowering of native biodiversity, and
The first phase of this plan was to complete a baseline an alteration in soil nutrient composition. It can be
inventory of the ecosystems, invasive species, wildlife, difficult to restore sites that have been infested by
and range conditions at the site. knapweed since its large seed bank remains even
The site is very ecologically diverse and 358 plant after pesticides have been applied. Additionally, it is
species have been observed and documented to date. allelopathic meaning it releases chemicals that have
The baseline inventory revealed that it is comprised negative effects on other species, posing obvious
of several ecosystem types including 3 conifer forests, challenges to reestablishment of native species
2 deciduous forests, 1 shrubland, 3 grasslands, even after knapweed has been treated. At the site,
and 4 wetlands. Grasslands occupy 66% of the site over 50% of the grasslands have a >25% cover of
and are dominated by bluebunch wheatgrass and knapweed and 9% of the grasslands have a >50%
rough fescue when in good ecological condition. cover of knapweed. (continued next page)
20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2019 21After a day in the field learning about the importance of
A hard working student pulls knapweed grasslands on June 5, 2018, a group of students show
at one of the research plots at the site. off the bags of knapweed they pulled from the site.
PHOTO: Dara Hill, Merritt Herald PHOTO: Dara Hill, Merritt Herald
To combat the threat of knapweed to the site, the Though the ever-increasing pressures on the land
GCC and NWCRT are developing a weed management can feel discouraging at times, the work at this site
plan for immediate implementation while researchers proves there is much to feel hopeful about. Multiple
at TRU are working to better understand how to organizations are stakeholders in this project, all
treat knapweed in the future. Rachel Whitehouse, a who care deeply about the future of the site. By
student and FLRNO range agrologist, is testing the working together and sharing knowledge and
impact of multiple treatments - pesticide use, wood responsibility, the Laurie Guichon Memorial Grasslands
ash amendments, and various grass seed mixes - on the Interpretive Site can demonstrate the positive impact
reestablishment on knapweed impacted areas. Rachel of community-led land management for ecological
is currently conducting field trials at plots on the site enhancement.
and the results of her research will help inform the
site’s management plan. Thank you for the support from our project partners,
Outreach and education events with local schools the Nicola Watershed Community Round Table,
are also critical components of the management plan. Thompson Rivers University, and the Ministry of
Several school groups visit the site and most recently Forests Lands Natural Resource Operations and
a group of 35 school children participated in a field Rural Development. Thank you also to our generous
trip organized by NWCRT members. The group learned project funders, the Real Estate Foundation of
about the history and importance of the site, grassland BC, EcoAction, the British Columbia Conservation
ecology, pond biodiversity, invasive species, and Foundation and The Habitat Conservation Trust
orienteering. By teaching children about the earth and Foundation.
how to care for it, we will ensure the stewardship of
this site and beyond in years to come.
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