Photo: Satah Mountain; Photo Credits: Ann Nielsen
Cariboo Chilcotin Region, B.C.: Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. (CCR) has been working to rehabilitate a crisscross network of logging roads in the Cariboo Chilcotin back into a more natural habitat for wildlife. This work is important to many species of wildlife, including the dwindling herds of endangered caribou.
“A large network of logging roads has been developed in the Chilcotin over decades,” shared Daniel Persson, Forestry Superintendent of CCR. “Most of these roads are not used today other than for hunting, when not rehabilitated back to their original, natural state, these roads create ‘predator super-highways’ which allow wolves and other species, including human hunters, to move more quickly and for longer distances than they normally would, becoming more effective hunters at the cost of other wildlife. For a caribou, a species already struggling to survive, this disadvantage is something we’re looking to level out through our work at CCR.”
Since time immemorial, First Nations would follow caribou herds and other food sources so that they could manage and protect their food supply for their communities. First Nations were known as caretakers of the land and stewards of caribou herds because their own movements as people aligned with the herds and, in turn, helped to manage wolf populations. When Indian Reserves started to become established, and First Nations people were segregated into these small parcels of land, they lost their rights to hunt and move about freely. Their presence on the land all but disappeared, which then allowed predators like wolves to roam more freely.
“Hunting back generations ago looked a lot different than it does today,” shared Percy Guichon, Executive Director of CCR and elected Councillor of Tŝideldel First Nation.
“These road networks across our territories have made access to hunting easier for people and predators like wolves. By using our traditional knowledge and bringing back more traditional ways of managing wildlife, we are seeking to help create ecological balance.”
Photo: Project photos of rehabilitation work - Satah Mountain area; Photo Credits: Ann Nielsen
“The team at CCR had the idea to take on road rehabilitation of these deactivated roads over three years ago. Through hard work, planning, and much learning, we are making it happen,” shared Ann Nielsen, Silviculture Superintendent with CCR. “We have been collecting site data to create an inventory of the status of the road networks used for forestry and other uses; some of these roads are 20 to 30 years old. We are creating a spatial/tabular integrated geographical information system database which indicates the location of these roads, as well as other important features such as slopes and riparian areas. We also note what materials the roads are made of and their condition, so we know what we are working with to do this rehabilitation work effectively.”
The team at CCR has been working with Tsi Del Del Enterprises and Dechen Ventures and their crew of specialists to deconstruct the roads with excavators and bulldozers to remove these linear features from the landscape. Next comes the replanting of these areas with trees and shrubs native to the area, which will have the best chance of survival in these environments and will help restore these habitats to their natural state.
Photo: Caribou tracks > Project machinery ; Photo Credits: Ann Nielsen
“With our efforts progressing, we know that in time, these roads will fill in with grasses, trees, and shrubs, contributing to our role in helping take action on climate change through forestry,” noted Guichon.
“The trees will create a visual blind as they grow to reduce sightlines for predators and overall, restore a more natural ecological balance our people managed for thousands of years. This work is creating the possibility of a full circle moment which we are intent on and excited about.”
To arrange an interview with CCR contact Aleece Laird, Communications Liaison, 250.574.0221 | aleece@amplifyinc.ca
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