UNLESS SOMEONE LIKE YOU CARES A WHOLE AWFUL LOT, NOTHING IS GOING TO GET BETTER IT'S NOT - Dr. Seuss
Grasslands
According to the Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory the importance of this ecosystem includes its rarity, high biodiversity, high sensitivity to disturbance (due to very fragile soils), as well as social and visual values.
Grasslands cover only one percent of British Columbia, yet the impressive soft looking grassland hillsides dominate the landscape in certain regions, particularly Kamloops area. In the Okanagan, grasslands are less common and found in small dispersed areas.
Grasslands are dominated by bunchgrasses with scattered broadleaf perennials and wildflowers. Grasslands are found in dry areas where frequent, low intensity natural fires historically occurred.
“Shrubland” ecosystems are grasslands that contain shrubs such as snowberry, Saskatoon berry, and roses. This ecosystem is typically not as dry as the grassland ecosystem and so can sustain some scattered shrubs. The soils of the shrubland ecosystem are typically richer than open grasslands.
BC Grasslands are at threat from:
Invasive Weeds
Natural Disturbances
-Fire
-Flooding
-Landslides
Human Disturbances
-Highways
-Railways
-Orchards / Vineyards
-Recreation
-Cattle Grazing
There are two categories of grassland.
“Grassland” ecosystems are open and dominated by grasses and wildflowers with a surface mulch of decaying vegetation, lichens and mosses.
Blue listed species such as California Big Horn Sheep, and American Badgers are reliant on grasslands for grazing and burrowing. Burrowing Owls were extirpated from British Columbia in 1980. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of British Columbia, these beautiful little owls are now residents of the Grasslands of the Okanagan and Thompson- Nicola Valley.
Information on Grassland Ecosystems from the Regional District of Central Okanagan, DEVELOPMENT PERMIT AREAS Appendix I: Aquatic Ecosystem Development Permit Area & Guidelines
Central Okanagan Grasslands - Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory, Ministry of Environment
Wildlife
Volunteer
BC Weed Control Act
Owners of private or public lands have legal responsibility for controlling noxious weeds. The BC Weed Control Act lists 14 noxious weeds, so get familiar with these plants and download Report-a-Weed Mobile App
from the Invasive Species Council of British Columbia, in conjunction with the Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations.
