Indigenous Land Stewardship and Invasive Species Management: Partnerships, Tools and Networks to Increase Success

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1 Indigenous Land Stewardship and Invasive Species Management: Partnerships, Tools and Networks to Increase Success Sue Staniforth Education & Outreach Manager, ISCBC Jake Archie Indigenous Liaison Coordinator, ISCBC

2 The Invasive Species Council of BC Key Partnerships Invasive Species Characteristics, Impacts / Industry Indigenous Invasive Species Network New Tools for Indigenous Communities Summary

3 Invasive Species Council of BC Charitable non-profit organization/ province-wide focus Goal: Reduce the introduction, establishment, and spread of invasive species Guided by diverse Board of Directors: all levels of government, First Nations, Industry, Tourism, NGOs, Conservation, Recreation Cross-border collaboration: across Canada and internationally Founding member of the Canadian Council on Invasive Species

4 Partnerships Provincial / Federal / Local governments Independent Regional Committees (14) First Nations Industry Stewardship Organizations Others

5 Industry BMP s BMP s : Training oil and gas, forestry, transportation, utilities, parks

6 ISCBC Programs Changing Behaviour Programs Clean Drain Dry Don t Let It Loose Play Clean Go PlantWise industry and gardeners Education and Awareness. Teacher Resources, Informal Education

7 A native species is one that naturally occurs in an area: a plant/animal that has lived and evolved in a certain place for a long time, is part of the natural ecosystem adapted to local conditions, co evolved with other species, predators, diseases, & climate Invasive Species: Terminology Kinnickinnick, a native ground cover plant. N.Bakker

8 Invasive Species: Terminology A non-native species: Is introduced either intentionally or unintentionally usually by people from distant geographic locations Can be desirable or undesirable A.k.a. alien or exotic Kinnickinnick, a native ground cover plant. N.Bakker

9 Invasive Species Terminology An Invasive species is: any harmful alien species whose introduction or spread threatens the environment, the economy, or society, including human health. N.Bakker Feb 6 9 Northern snakehead fish Pacific Gateway Hotel Richmond BC

10 4 Characteristics of Invasives 1. Produce lots of seeds / young E.g. Zebra mussels can produce up to 1 million eggs a year 2. Seeds / young spread easily and effectively Zebra mussels L. Haugen Hounds tongue burrs

11 4 Characteristics of Invasives 3. Can quickly establish on disturbed ground, displacing native plants E.g. Tansy ragwort will sprout from roots, pieces and buds 4. Usually lack natural pathogens or predators E.g. orange hawkweed not palatable, so not grazed by livestock, wildlife Tansy Ragwort

12 Honey, we never should have bought these plants! They have COMPLETELY taken over!

13 Invasive Species Impacts

14 Agriculture & Ranching Invasive plants reduce crop quality by replacing /tainting target crops Some (tansy ragwort, hound s tongue) can poison livestock; burrs injure animals, reduce market value Oil and Gas Industry introduction of invasive plants through operations Economic Impacts Burdock burrs on livestock L. Scott

15 Economic Impacts Reduction in Property Values C&F European Fire Ants Japanese knotweed

16 Economic Impacts: Forestry Invasive plants: invade a disturbed area quickly, limiting natural regeneration out-compete tree seedlings snow press make reforestation an $$ expensive challenge Some invasive plants (e.g. gorse) very flammable - pose a major fire hazard D. Moorhead English Ivy

17 BC s Biodiversity Super Natural BC! British Columbia is home to more species of plants and animals than any other province 72% of Canada s land mammal species 50% of Canada s amphibian species 60%of Canada s plant species 70% of Canada s nesting bird species.

18 Why Care? $$ The estimated annual impact of invasive species is ~$30 billion $20 billion in the forest sector. (CFIA)

19 I. Federal Legislation: Plant Protection Act protects plant life and the agricultural and forestry sectors of the Canadian economy by preventing the importation, exportation and spread of pests and by controlling or eradicating pests in Canada.

20 II. Provincial Legislation: BC Weed Control Act (WCA) requires all landowners or occupiers of non federal lands to control noxious weeds (species listed under WCA Regulation) Administered by Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Identified provincially & regionally noxious weeds

21 Indigenous Culture Many First Nations have suffered the loss of traditional foods, medicinal plants, wildlife habitat, land use and cultural practices due to invasive species impacts. E. Armagost M. Hillis VIDEO

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23 Impacts Across all of the diverse Indigenous cultures in BC there is a deep connection to the land. Invasive species can have many serious impacts: Traditional hunting grounds Cultural and spiritual areas Cultural foods, bitterroot, Indian potato, soopalalie, prickly pear cactus, berries, etc.

24 Invasive Species: Impacts Grazing areas for game Traditional trails and travel routes Invasive animals like feral pigs can destroy wildlife habitat Invasive fish species can impact native fish and aquatic systems Invasive species threaten all of these values

25 Invasive Species: Impacts & Why We Should Care Loss of biodiversity may adversely affect Indigenous rights and traditional knowledge related to specific species Loss or degradation of traditional territory may result in economic losses for Indigenous communities

26 ISCBC: A Year in Review Indigenous Services Canada: Lands and Economic Development Services (LEDSP) Program ISCBC delivered a comprehensive program that provides support and leadership to Indigenous communities in identifying, managing and reducing invasive species within their lands and communities.

27 Achievements revising and updating the ISCBC s Aboriginal Toolkit for Invasive Plant Management supporting/ facilitating province-wide Indigenous Invasive Species Network hosting presentations and workshops, developing a fact sheet on Soil Relocation Hosting provincial workshop that brought 32 First Nation participants together

28 Community Presentations Presentations were made in Xat sull (Williams Lake), St at imc (Lillooet), Sema:th (Abbotsford), Laqa:mel (Deroche), Upper Nicola Band (Merritt), Simpcw First Nation (Barriere) and the Ktunaxa Nation (Cranbrook). Each presentation was tailored to the needs of the specific community.

29 Indigenous Invasive Species Network ISCBC formed the Indigenous Invasive Species Network (IISN). The IISN held a series of conference calls to discuss invasive species issues and provide input into the revision of the Aboriginal Community Toolkit for Invasive Plant Management

30 Indigenous Community Toolkit for Invasive Species Management The original Aboriginal Toolkit (2011) required revision. New version will be distributed widely and is designed to help communities that haven t started Invasive Species Management, & support those who have already developed a plan.

31 Indigenous Community Toolkit for Invasive Species Management The revised toolkit offers information on how to manage invasive species, who to contact, best management practices, sample bylaws and band council resolutions, and case studies of Indigenous communities who are actively managing invasive species on their land.

32 Soil Relocation Insert Part of the LEDSP project involved producing a Soil Relocation Insert to include in the government publication, British Columbia First Nations Fill Management Guide. This resource deals with issues specific to First Nations communities when they are dealing with projects that require fill.

33 ISCBC & Indigenous Communities For more information on partnership opportunities, training, industry best management practices and invasive species management plans, contact: Jake Archie Sue Staniforth , ext Questions? THANK YOU!