Grasslands are one of the most unique and endangered ecosystems in British Columbia. The purpose of grassland stewardship is to restore and enhance the landscape in order to ensure long-term health and viability of the land. Stewardship promotes the implementation of land-use practices that benefit the natural values of the land. Such practices are responsible for maintaining and restoring the grassland and associated habitats to as natural a state as possible.
There are two main types of ranches that employ land management strategies to maintain and restore grasslands: biodiversity ranches and working ranches. The goal of a biodiversity ranch is to maintain biological diversity of the land and to use livestock as a management tool, whereas the goal of a working ranch is to uphold economic viability by recognizing that it is linked to a healthy ecosystem. Both types of ranch develop long-term stewardship goals and the owners are encouraged to conserve natural, historical, scenic and scientific values by developing land management plans that may involve the following stewardship practices: rotational grazing, development and placement of riparian exclosures, alternative watering systems and a water supply for new irrigation systems.
The objectives of biodiversity ranches are to protect and restore riparian areas, establish short-term grazing rotation and other conservation practices on Crown range tenures, and to promote scientific research. The primary goal of the biodiversity ranch conservation program is to maintain and restore the grassland and associated habitats. These habitats are well maintained through active management and can therefore support a thriving, diverse community of native plant and animal species and provide a stable income for any number of agriculture-based households.
The White Lake Basin Ranch is a biodiversity ranch owned by The Nature Trust of British Columbia. The ranch as acquired in 1996 and 1998 and includes two previously separate ranches encompassing 5,302 hectares. The cattle are owned and managed by Clifton Ranch, a neighbouring family-based operation. Much of White Lake Basin Ranch is dry grassland and big sagebrush habitat and is home to many species at risk, including the Sage Thrasher, Brewer’s Sparrow and Badger. The dry coniferous forest is dominated by ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir, as well as being home to such species as the Flammulated Owl.
For more information on this and other biodiversity ranches please contact www.naturetrust.bc.ca
Talking Mountain Ranch is a biodiversity ranch that is partly owned by The Land Conservancy of British Columbia. It is located on the west side of the Fraser River approximately 30 kilometres west of Clinton. In total the ranch is 30,755 hectares where 404 hectares of the property is owned by The Land Conservancy of British Columbia and the remaining 30,351 hectares is Crown range land that has been secured by a grazing tenure.
The landscape of the ranch contains a high diversity of ecosystems and habitats including: grasslands, riparian zones, wetlands, brush and transitional to sub-alpine forested slopes. It is rare that a single acquisition can contain this diversity of vegetation and landscapes. The backdrop of towering hoodoos, limestone sinkholes and imposing canyons increases the allure of the area. The ranch adjoins the Churn Creek Protected Area at its southern edge.
The Talking Mountain Ranch is range for a large number of mammals including California Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer and Cougars. Reptiles and small mammals rely on the open spaces, soils and insect populations of the grasslands; birds of prey use them as nesting grounds; and ungulates are dependent on these areas for winter forage. Combined, this Talking Mountain range provides a host of different habitats critical to fish, amphibians and waterfowl.
Working ranches also apply stewardship tools through the development of land management plans. Each ranch applies strategies that will best protect its grasslands, wetlands and riparian areas. The land management plan should benefit ranchers, wildlife and ecosystems alike.
130 Mile Ranch is owned and operated by Lee Hoium and Wendy Braim. Located 40 kilometres south-east of Williams Lake in the San Jose River Valley, the ranch is composed of valuable grazing land for cattle and contains some of the finest wetlands in the Cariboo.
Traditionally, cattle were grazed on an open range system that contained little fencing and had unrestricted access to wetlands. This led to the eventual loss of productive rangeland and wildlife habitat. In 1996, the owners of the ranch began to work with Ducks Unlimited Canada through the Interior Wetlands Program to develop a land management plan that would provide benefits for both ranching and wildlife. This new plan involved rotational grazing, alternative stock-watering systems and a water supply for a new irrigation system.
Today each pasture in the ranch is set-up with a monitored general grazing schedule. Alternative watering methods that were developed include: tapping into a small spring to supply water to five different pastures, a reservoir to establish a stable water supply for the ranch and benefit wildlife, and a new pump and pipes to fill the reservoir from the river and to keep the water level stable.
This ranch is a prime example of how the cooperation between non-government organizations and the ranching community are key to solving land management concerns.
Stewardship has become an important part of the ranching industry in British Columbia. The British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association (BCCA) has established an Environmental Stewardship Award to recognize good stewardship practices. The annual award recognizes individual or local groups of cattle producers that have benefited the environment through their management practices.
For details on the Environmental Stewardship Award and a list of past award recipients check out the BCCA website at www.cattle.bc.ca/stewardship.htm
Photo:
The Nature Trust of BC (Wade Clifton on the Range)
The Land Conservancy of BC (scenic view)
Ducks Unlimited Canada (130 Mile Ranch Reservoir)
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