Elementary Students Plant Trees on Grand Forks Grasslands
Emily Rooke, a student at Perley Elementary, carefully plants a yellow pine tree donated by Interfor on the Southern Interior Land Trust’s grasslands property at the end of Morissey Creek Road, on Earth Day.
In an Earth Day event coordinated by Jamie Hibberson and Randy Waterous of Interfor, students from Sarah Mace’s class from Perley Elementary School in Grand Forks have planted nearly 300 yellow pine seedlings in disturbed, damp parts of the Southern Interior Land Trust’s property.
It was inspiring to watch these young people nurture the little trees they were given by Jamie and Randy, who also explained how to plant them so they would survive,commented Judie Steeves, president of SILT.
It was a beautiful day and great to watch them roam over the greening-up hills, digging a hole and placing the little tree in it. Most said they planned to return over the years to find their trees and see how they grow up, which will be really neat.
The tree planting took place on the Grand Forks Grasslands at the end of Morissey Creek Road, in galleys and drainages, where in some instances, damage had occurred from motorized vehicles illegally being driven into the freshly-sprouting grasses and wildflowers.
The grade six and seven students learned about the importance of conservation of such wild lands, and of restoration where damage has occurred from human activity; the importance of protecting the natural features that make suitable habitat for deer, bighorn sheep, badgers, birds, snakes and other creatures, as well as the plants they rely on for food or shelter.
Nearly 300 trees were planted Friday.
The grade six and seven students learned about the importance of conservation of such wild lands, and of restoration where damage has occurred from human activity; the importance of protecting the natural features that make suitable habitat for deer, bighorn sheep, badgers, birds, snakes and other creatures, as well as the plants they rely on for food or shelter.
Nearly 300 trees were planted Friday.
Photos by Judie Steeves
Shoreline restoration projects at Twin and Skaha Lakes
Shoreline Restoration Projects Completed
SILT completed two shoreline restoration projects this fall at Twin Lakes and Skaha Lake, with support from Love Your Lake, Canadian Wildlife Federation and Watersheds Canada. Restoration plans were designed based on recommendations from the 2020 Love Your Lake property surveys, which can now be downloaded by shoreline property owners throughout the Okanagan.
The restoration projects included planting native shrubs, perennials and trees along the shoreline and within the riparian area on both lakes. The goal of these projects was to create a naturalized riparian buffer that will stabilize the bank, reduce erosion, and filter runoff into the lake. Adding native species and trees into the riparian buffer will also create wildlife habitat for aquatic and land-based species.
A special thank you to Sagebrush Nursery for their involvement in both restoration projects.
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Southern Interior bighorn sheep decimated by disease
Twenty wild bighorn sheep were recently found dead near Grand Forks. They have determined the sheep died from bluetongue, also known as epizootic hemorrhagic disease, a virus caused by mites which has no specific treatment.
Though the catastrophic loss of cherished wildlife is indeed unfortunate, it does not affect the habitat value of SILT’s conservation properties. In fact, this occurrence highlights the importance of acquiring and maintaining quality wildlife habitats in places where wildlife may thrive. It will take time for the Grand Forks bighorn sheep herd to recover.
In the meantime, SILT will remain committed to managing its Grand Forks Grasslands property to benefit wild sheep and other wildlife. SILT looks forward to cooperating further with its conservations partners, including the Wild Sheep Society of BC, to help the Grand Forks bighorn sheep herd recover as quickly as possible.
Photo: BC Wild Sheep Society
SILT Honoured by Low Brothers Bottle Drive
SILT was recently presented with a donation of $1,000 through the efforts of brothers Josh and Jayk Low collecting bottles and cans in their community. “SILT is honoured to receive the benefit of Josh and Jayk’s hard work” said SILT’s executive director Al Peatt, “the boys’ community spirit and leadership is truly outstanding. SILT appreciates their support and that of everyone who donated their bottles and cans.” SILT will use the donation to help manage wildlife habitat at its R.E. Taylor Conservation Property in Olalla.
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