B.C. Wildlife Federation’s Post

We were pleased to see our first spring ephemeral blooming recently, Virginia springbeauty (Claytonia virginica). In restoration, land use history can be difficult to determine. Was a forest cleared for pasture or, more commonly in our region, did a grassland become forest when fire was removed? Spring ephemerals and other conservative (require high-quality habitat) forest or woodland herbaceous groundlayer species can be a clue. Ephemerals grow and bloom while leaves are off the trees in early spring, taking advantage of the increased sunlight. A diverse community of them suggests historical forest or woodland. But these are different ecosystems (a forest is usually defined as having more than 80% canopy cover and a woodland has 30-80%) so which was it? Each have typical groundlayer and understory species adapted to different amounts of sunlight, a woodland has a lush groundlayer but this can be lost if the woodland degrades to forest. The trees can help—oaks require sunlight for regeneration so they are a woodland species—but mesic hardwoods (e.g. maples, beech, tuliptrees) have expanded outside their natural habitat in coves and shady north slopes in the absence of fire. The solid tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera) stands so common in Virginia are early successional regrowth following clearcuts or abandonment of pasture and are not natural forests. Every ecosystem has its natural place and we try determine what a site should be before doing restoration. 📸📝: Booker Moritz, Conservation Manager #ephimeral #farming #landmanagmenet #sustainablefarming #kinlochfarm #huntcountryva #fauquiercounty #theplainsva

ReWìldiing hits New York! The Billion Oyster Project's aimes at restoring the once-thriving oyster population of New York Harbor. Since its inception, over 122 million oysters have been restored, engaging more than 20,000 NYC students in environmental stewardship and marine science education. This initiative not only revitalizes the harbor's ecosystem but also enhances water quality and fortifies our city's defenses against storm surges. Collaborations with local communities, schools, and restaurants are vital, turning discarded oyster shells into the foundations of new life. Here's how the process works: 1. Collection: The project collaborates with restaurants across New York City to collect discarded oyster shells. 2. Curing: After collection, these shells are transported to a curing site, typically located on Governors Island. Here, the shells are spread out in large heaps and left to cure in the open air for about a year. This exposure helps to remove any remaining organic matter and pathogens from the shells, making them a clean base for new oyster larvae to attach. 3. Preparation: Once cured, the shells are washed and placed into mesh bags or set in structures called gabions. These preparations are essential for the next stage, as they ensure the shells are ready to support new life. 4. Seeding: The prepared shells are then seeded with oyster larvae, which are also known as spat. This stage often takes place in controlled water tanks where conditions can be carefully managed to maximize the chances of the larvae attaching to the shells. 5. Deployment: Finally, the seeded shells are deployed into the harbor. They are strategically placed to form or enhance oyster reefs. These reefs not only help to repopulate the area with native oysters but also serve as natural water filtration systems, improving water quality and providing habitat for other marine life. Let's keep on rewilding Earth, restoring life's thriving potential place by place! #OysterRestoration #Sustainability #EnvironmentalEducation #NewYorkHarbor #BillionOysterProject #CommunityEngagement #MarineConservation #UrbanRewilding #NatureRestoration ##NatureBasedSolutions #Regeneration

“Peatland restoration is already making a hugely positive impact on Dartmoor. Not only does this landscape-scale approach bolster bird populations but it also helps to enhance a more diverse upland habitat for a range of insects and plants too. By refining restoration methods based on RSPB survey data collected this summer, the SWPP can do our bit to help species like the dunlin that rely on water in the landscape for their food, habitat and nesting sites whilst also addressing peatland erosion and improving overall peatland health." Read more on the collaborative summer survey taking place across Dartmoor to monitor birdlife, assess species distribution, track changes, and assess how peatland restoration can positively impact upland bird species over time. https://lnkd.in/ezDR-PsF RSPB Dartmoor National Park Authority Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO)

Great news! Queensland’s two newest national parks have been officially established, adding 16,700 ha of land to the state’s Protected Area Estate (PAS). The 10,300 ha Redcliffe Tableland National Park sits some 114 km west of Mackay and preserves endangered regional ecosystems that provide refuge for the endangered northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) and vulnerable squatter pigeon (Geophaps scripta scripta). Some 6,400 ha of the former Squirrel Creek State Forest, 110 km NW of Brisbane have been converted into Squirrel Creek National Park, protecting riverine wetlands that are essential habitat for the vulnerable plumed frogmouth (Podargus ocellatus plumiferus) and black-breasted buttonquail (Turnix melanogaster). A further 18,600 ha have also been added to existing national parks and conservation parks – most dedicated as part of the Labor Government’s commitment to transfer 20,000 ha of state forest to the PAS under the Native Timber Action Plan. These latest dedications bring the total area of state forest added to the PAS to just over 13,000 ha. NPAQ looks forward to seeing further, and more rapid transitions from state forests to national parks over the coming months and years. #ProtectedAreas #StateForests #WildPlaces #ActionPlan #30by30 #Threatenedspecies 📷 (Left to right): Google Maps, CanvaNFP, Wirestock/Dreamstime, SJ Bennet Wikimedia Commons.

Recent clearcut proposals from Pacific Woodtech and Stella Jones threaten a combined 608 hectares of endangered mountain caribou habitat and old growth forest in B.C.’s interior. Almost all of the proposed clearcuts overlap with core habitat for the Columbia North herd, which is the only one of B.C.s southernmost herds with a shot at a long-term future. Seven other herds in this region have been declared locally extinct in the last two decades, due mostly to habitat destruction and fragmentation from logging. Last year, more than 400 of you sent letters and helped defer more proposed clearcuts in the Columbia North herd’s range. These animals need your help again. Can you take 2 minutes to send a pre-written letter and help stop this logging in the Seymour River watershed? Visit https://lnkd.in/g5wthHUP #mountaincaribou #endangeredspecies #SARA #saveourmountaincaribou #cariboudat

Protecting caribou habitat is the only way to keep these herds in Southern BC. Without a home, these herds will disappear just like the others! Together we can speak louder; check out this link to help protect this crucial habitat:

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻? Not far from the bustling Port of Dover, a military fort dating back to the 1860’s can be found in a lofty position overlooking Dover and its environs. Now long vacated by any military presence and only accessible for planned events, it has become quite the wildlife haven for a wide range of plant and animal species. This was the venue for a recent Habitat Management Course that I undertook via Green Angels The Land Trust and White Cliffs Countryside Partnership Covering three main topic areas: 🍃 Intro to Conservation and Habitat Management 🐁 Surveying (small mammals) 🌱 Features for Wildlife Fort Burgoyne is made up of a diverse range of historical buildings, but due to its semi-isolated location an even more diverse range of wildlife has moved in and is now calling it home. Incredibly, wildlife that you would imagine to be present is not, this is probably due to the extensive deep ditch that runs around the site and affords protection to the inner fort. Access is in the form of a small bridge spanning this protective ditch. A course delivered in a non-technical format is always a win in my opinion, actual real-life facts and figures, case studies and surveys make it far more interesting. There will be much to take away from this course to put into practice alongside our sustainability and environmental initiatives at AW Group, including a survey to undertake at our Folkestone HQ. There is much more I could say, but space here on LinkedIn is limited. Perhaps the course was more endearing given the amazing historical surroundings and the beautiful brickwork contained within the fort, even back in the 1860’s they certainly took pride and had a key eye for design, some of the arches, forming into other arches certainly make the mind boggle. #ecology #habitat #wildlife #brickwork #esg #environment #heritage #heritageworks #conservation

🦉 #EasternScreechOwl 🌳 An Eastern Screech Owl peeking out of its tree hole. Are you interested in owls and their habitats, or would you like to learn more about birdwatching?

🦉 #EasternScreechOwl 🌳 An Eastern Screech Owl peeking out of its tree hole. Are you interested in owls and their habitats, or would you like to learn more about birdwatching?

🦉 #EasternScreechOwl 🌳 An Eastern Screech Owl peeking out of its tree hole. Are you interested in owls and their habitats, or would you like to learn more about birdwatching?