During the 2023/24 program year:
Enhanced through grassland projects
Restored through riparian projects
Treated through the Wildfire Risk Reduction Pilot Project
Fences installed, repaired, or maintained across all projects
During the 2023/24 program year:
Enhanced through grassland projects
Restored through riparian projects
Treated through the Wildfire Risk Reduction Pilot Project
Fences installed, repaired, or maintained across all projects
Working in BC
Through FLA, IAF partners with farmers, ranchers, Indigenous communities, and other local partners to carry out restoration work on agricultural lands. The program targets high risk and high opportunity areas in BC based on a set of selection criteria. FLA has sites throughout several regions of BC and IAF hopes to expand the program’s reach in the coming years. Click on each point on the map to learn about the different types of work FLA is doing across BC.
Click on each region to learn about Farmland Advantage sites across BC.
Ongoing Work in BC
By the end of the 2023/24 program year, there were:
What does the work look like?
Each site receives an ecosystem health assessment and management plan, which outlines the beneficial management practices and restoration tasks that will be implemented. Below are some examples of the activities and practices that are a common part of Farmland Advantage projects.
Bank Stabilization
Most riparian restoration work happens in the riparian zone, outside of the water body and bank. However, in some cases bio-engineering techniques are employed to increase slope stability and control sediment, especially while new plants are establishing roots.
Invasive Species Removal
Invasive species can alter habitats and hamper essential ecosystem functions. They compete with beneficial native plants for nutrients, water, and space. To control weeds, manual removal and spot-spray tactics are used. Occasionally other methods are deployed to contain knapweed and other noxious invaders.
Native Species Planting
Native plants are designed to thrive in their natural habitats and are deeply interconnected with native animals and pollinators. Native plants are vital components of healthy and resilient ecosystems and are often hardier, requiring less water and maintenance once established. By planting native species, the program aims to improve biodiversity and wildlife habitat.
Beaver Guard Installation
Beaver guards are often installed to protect the young plants from the appetites of beavers, as well as browsing by deer and other wildlife. Installing guards helps the plants to establish themselves, increasing survival rates.
Fence Installation and Maintenance
Fences are installed to direct livestock to or from a particular area. Fencing livestock out of riparian areas improves bank stability and water quality. It also prevents the loss of livestock from bogging and drowning. Utilizing fences in grasslands can improve the management of rotational and targeted grazing.
Targeted Grazing
Grazing herbivores improve grassland biodiversity, contribute to enhanced carbon sequestration, and reduce fuel that wildfires use to burn. Targeted grazing is the practice of strategically placing cattle to reduce fuel load, which is an important part of wildfire risk reduction.
Rotational Grazing
Rotational grazing is the practice of restricting cattle with fences and rotating them through different pastures. Rotational grazing gives the land a break to reap the benefits of being grazed, improving biodiversity and soil health.
Tree Stand Thinning and Pruning
Fuel management in FLA’s Wildfire Risk Reduction Pilot project begins in forested areas through tree stand thinning and pruning by forestry professionals. After thinning and pruning is complete, debris is piled and disposed of, preventing the debris from drying and being used as wildfire fuel later.
Reports
Projects
Projects & News
From stream health to grasslands, learn about our projects and program news.