The voice for grasslands in British Columbia

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To order a copy today, visitwww.chrisharris.com.

THE ECONOMYOF GRASS

Two Mile Pasture at Alkali Lake Ranch near Williams Lake. Alkali Lake Ranch, thought to be the oldest ranch in western Canada, isdiscussed in the feature article Are Ranchers an Endangered Species? on page 10.PHOTO LIZ TWAIN

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page 10 Are Ranchers an Endangered Species? Stephen Leahy

page 18 Economics 101 and the Environment Barbara Heidenreich

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page 2 Message from the Chair David Zirnhelt

page 2 Message from the Executive Director Bruno Delesalle

page 3 GCC Program and Project Updates

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page 22 The Realities of Ranching Today Judy Guichon

page 26 Capturing the Grassland Spirit: Speaking with Chris Harris Sage Birchwater

page 32 Personal Landscapes: Grasslands and Wetlands--A Natural Linkage Ian Barnett

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page 14 Flora: Grasses Deserve Respect Don Gayton

page 15 Fauna: Dragonflies--Jewels in the Grass Rob Cannings, Ph.D.

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page 8 Grasslands Research: Thompson Rivers University Lauchlan Fraser, Ph.D.

page 9 Across the Province

page 24 Success Stories: Barnhartvale Horse & Hiker Trail Preservation Society Catrina Crowe

page 27 Past Feature Update: Ashcroft Ranch Landfill Proposal

page 28 Partner Profile: Biodiversity BC

page 29 Members Corner

IN THIS ISSUETHE ECONOMY OF GRASS

TThhee GGrraassssllaannddss CCoonnsseerrvvaattiioonn CCoouunncciill ooffBBrriittiisshh CCoolluummbbiiaa ((GGCCCC)) was established as a society in August 1999and as a registered charity on December 21,2001. Since our beginning, we have beendedicated to promoting education,conservation and stewardship of BritishColumbias grasslands in collaboration withour partners, a diverse group oforganizations and individuals that includesgovernment, range management specialists,ranchers, agrologists, ecologists, FirstNations, land trusts, conservation groups,recreationists and grassland enthusiasts.

TThhee GGCCCCss mmiissssiioonn iiss ttoo::foster greater understanding andappreciation for the ecological, social,economic and cultural impor tance ofgrasslands throughout BC;

promote stewardship and sustainablemanagement practices that will ensure thelong-term health of BCs grasslands; and

promote the conservation of representativegrassland ecosystems, species at risk andtheir habitats.

GGCCCC BBooaarrdd ooff DDiirreeccttoorrssEEXXEECCUUTTIIVVEEDavid Zirnhelt, Big Lake RanchCHAIR

Michael Kennedy, LillooetVICE CHAIR

King Campbell, Salmon ArmSECRETARY / TREASURERMichael Pitt, Pender IslandPAST CHAIR

Leanne Colombo, CranbrookLauchlan Fraser, KamloopsBill Henwood, North VancouverMark Quaedvlieg, KeremeosJim White, KnutsfordBBOOAARRDDBarry Booth, Prince GeorgeDarren Dempsey, KnutsfordMike Duffy, 108 Mile RanchBruce Gordon, West VancouverJudy Guichon, QuilchenaSonja Leverkus, Fort NelsonFrancis Njenga, KamloopsHillary Page, InvermereDarrell Smith, InvermereHHOONNOORRAARRYY BBOOAARRDD MMEEMMBBEERRBob Peart, SidneyEEXXEECCUUTTIIVVEE DDIIRREECCTTOORRBruno Delesalle, Kamloops

MMaaggaazziinnee PPrroodduuccttiioonnBruno DelesallePUBLISHER

Catrina CroweMANAGING EDITOR

Amber CowieRESEARCH AND DESIGN

CCOOVVEERRSporabolis releasing seeds.Photo by J. Kevin Dunnwww.jkevindunn.com

MAGAZINE OF THE GRASSLANDS CONSERVATION COUNCIL OF BRITISH COLUMBIA SUMMER 2008

BC GRASSLANDS 1

This issue of BC Grasslands focuses on the Economy ofGrass. While its a complex theme that cannot be fullyexplored in just one magazine, we can certainly begin. Butas we investigate the economics of sustainability and thevalue of ecological goods and services, we need to do sowithin a broader vision of working toward practical solu-tions that make stewardship a viable and affordable landuse option. In the last issue, I discussed the need for collaborative

and effective incentive programs for agricultural landown-ers that include values for ecological goods and services.Tax-based incentives wont assist ranchers during tougheconomic times, when cash flow is the main issue andwhen the only reprieve is to sell land for economic sur-vival. How then do we develop innovative economicincentives that put cash in the ranchers pocket for pre-serving the ecological benefits that grasslands provide tosociety? In light of the growing demand to demonstrate the eco-

nomic values of the natural capital and services grasslandsprovide, the Grasslands Conservation Council of BC isembarking on a new Grasslands Natural Capital Initiative.Through this initiative the GCC will position itself to workmore effectively with industry, the BC CattlemensAssociation, government and non-governmental organiza-tions to keep working ranches working and to explore

strategies, such as economic and market-based incentivesand full cost accounting of grassland services. All thesestrategies, and others identified in this issue, need to beaddressed if were to stem the tide of large ranch break-ups and the urbanization of BCs rural landscapes. Ourgoal is to preserve native grasslands and ranchlands forcurrent and future generations. In the next issue, we will extend our exploration of

native grasslands and range issues beyond BC to theworld, building on an incredible trip I recently took toChina for a rangeland and grassland congress. Please see abrief summary of the congress on page 29 and pick up thenext issue for the full story. Finally, as we approach the GCCs 10th year, I turn to

you, our readers, for your feedback and input for our 10-year anniversary issue planned for the fall of 2009. Thiswill be a special issue and your input is encouraged andwelcomed!

We apologize for the delay in publishing theSpring (now Summer) 2008 BC Grasslandsmagazine. The next issue will be released

before Christmas, and by the New Year wellhave our production schedule back on track.

Thank you for your patience.

Message from the ChairDavid Zirnhelt

Message from the Executive DirectorBruno Delesalle

I vividly recall a telephone call from one of my sons,telling me he had just heard that on the Chicago exchange,Carbon Credits for sequestered carbon on farmland weretrading at $4 per acre. My immediate thought was thatwas not very much, although if that could be collected onvast grassland ranges, then it might amount to somethingfor those fortunate enough to have such rangelands.Recently, Canadian Farm Manager reported that the rangefor carbon credits was $2 to $7 per acre, at an average of$4.50, from 2003-2006. In my view, there needs to berecognition that people who have already been doing theright thing, such as keeping carbon sequestered ratherthan giving it up to the atmosphere, should receive thesame rewards as those who might just now be convertingto the right thing, having done the wrong thing in the

past. Further, perhaps those who have always been doingthe right thing should be rewarded first!I guess this goes to show that there is much to be

worked out in the amounts and the conditions of paymentfor ecological goods and services. Farmers and rancherswill have to be informed, well-researched, strong andunited, if their share of ecological goods and services areto be rewarded by society. We should ask the question,Are we doing enough to be part of future decisions aboutecological goods and services?On another note, the GCC is developing its next strategic

plan to guide us in the years to come. This will be a keydocument for the future of grasslands in BC. Commentsabout our modus operandi and goals are always welcome.

2 BC GRASSLANDS

BC GRASSLANDS 3

The Education and Outreach programcontinues to extend awareness of grasslandsthrough personal interactionsat work-shops and trade fairsand through tech-nologyon websites and TV public serviceannouncements.

Peace River workshop experiences aswide and varied as the regionA highlight of the year was the chance to

make personal connections around com-mon interests in grasslands at the GCCs2008 workshop in the Peace Valley Region.From June 6 to 8, the GCC hosted a work-shop based in Dawson Creek to exploreGrasslands of the North: Threats andChallenges to Grasslands in the Peace. Atthe Friday evening dinner that followed ourAnnual General Meeting, we learned howsome of the issues shared by all BC grass-landsgrasslands management, openrange/open forest, carbon sequestrationuniquely impact the North.The field tours around the Dawson

Creek/Fort St. John area began on Saturdaywith subjects provincially unique to thePeace Region, such as the impact of oil andgas exploration and drilling and the possi-ble impactof

the proposed Site C dam on the Peace RiverValley. Ecosystems Biologist Alicia Goddards

passion for Sharp-tailed Grouse was addic-tive when she enthusiastically discussedspecies at risk. After joining the Peace RiverForage Association in the afternoon, we dis-cussed subjects of common interest to pro-ducers around the province, including alter-native fertilizing techniques and invasiveplant control. Dr. Linda Wilson, of theMinistry of Agriculture and Lands, vividlyillustrated the problems invasives can causewhen she spoke about the perverse persist-ence of Orange Hawkweed, a plant that hasalready spread through much of mid-north-ern BC but not yet reached the Peace, shebelieved. After a very full day of learning, we

enjoyed the BBQ that the ForageAssociation generously hosted for us andthe opportunity to relax and socialize.Having spent Saturday learning about

many of the present issues in the area, weexplored its human and ecological historyon Sunday. During our first stop at the his-toric farming community of Rolla, our hostJohn Miller told us how his family hadfound the landscape when they first settledthere early in the 20th Century and how its

changed over the years. Like the prairie,most of the original grasslands

have been converted tofarmland. But

where

there are isolated patches of indigenousgrasses on south facing slopes, theyre richand vaired.At our final stop, those with a passion for

wild native grasses were given free rein toexplore the undisturbed south facing slopesof the South Clayhurst Grasslands ecologi-cal reserve. By the end of the workshop, we came

away with a greater appreciation of theunique challenges facing the northernregions of the province. The GCC warmlythanks all our sponsors who made theworkshop such a rewarding experience forall of us.

Meet us at the fairMeet us not only at the fair, but also at

trade shows and environmental expos.While workshops give us a great opportuni-ty to facilitate the sharing of knowledge andresearch amongst grasslands enthusiasts,our displays allow us to generate enthusi-asm amongst the general public. At this years Kamloops Energy Fair, we

fielded many questions from people whowerent only looking for sustainable energysolutions for their homes, but also for waysthey could lessen their impact on neigh-bouring grasslands.At the BC Cattlemens Association trade

show, we met with old friends and madenew ones. Many of them were interested tohear that the Grasslands Monitoring Manualfor BC: A Tool for Ranchers will soon beavailable and looked forward to being able

to use it in the next field season.

GCC in Brief

Education and Outreach ProgramReaching out personally and technologically

South facing slopes of the Clayhurst Ecological Reserve in the Peace River Valley near Fort St. John, which participants of the GCCs 2008workshop visited in June. / PHOTO RICHARD DOUCETTE

Learn about your regionsgrasslands on-linePersonal connections can also be

made through technology. Ourwebsite now not only helps youkeep up with what the GCC and itsmembers and partners are doing,but lets you find out about thegrasslands in your region. Much of Brian Wikeems exten-

sively researched and highlyinformative The Grasslands ofBritish Columbia, available in print-ed and CD formats, has been trans-ferred to the web. If you want anoverview of your region, go to At aGlance. Having had your interestpiqued on these pages, you canmove on to the In Depth pages forconsiderable but accessible detailson species at risk, unique charac-teristics, geography and flora andfauna of your region.

Calf and curlew make celebri-ty debutThe GCCs calf and curlew are

basking in the glow of suddencelebrity. Not so long ago, they werebut pencil sketches on a scrap ofpaper; now, they frolic, then dodgeinvasive plants and falling houseson TV, the GCCs website andYouTube. There, they spread themessage of the dangers of invasiveplants and fragmentation anddevelopment to grasslands.If you missed them last February

and March on Global and CBC TV,look for them this fall on Global oron our website: www.bcgrass-lands.org

Catrina CroweCommunicatons and OutreachCoordinator

Grassland Stewardship & Sustainable Ranching ProgramGrowing programs, growing recognition

4 BC GRASSLANDS

Planning for Change - growing andimprovingThe Planning for Change Initiative is like a

fine wine, getting better and better as it ages.The fourth workshop was held in April inWilliams Lake for the Cariboo Chilcotin.Representatives from the Cariboo RegionalDistrict, municipal planning staff and manyministries attended. Things were done a lit-tle differently at this workshop: with theunveiling of the Green Bylaws Toolkit inNovember, a partnership opportunity aroseto combine the GCC workshop with the roll-out of the Toolkit. This was ideal, as it madebest use of the time for the planning staffand fit in nicely with the content of thePlanning for Change workshops, for whichthe Toolkit will be a major component fromnow on. GCC partnered with DucksUnlimited Canada (DUC) to send out themessage to local planners that sensitive

ecosystems, in particular grasslands andwetlands, are extremely valuable ecologi-cally, socially and economically to localgovernments and that the GCC and DUChave the tools to help planners incorpo-rate them into their land-use planningexercises. The Cariboo Chilcotin work-shop went off without a hitch, withexcellent attendance and fantastic ener-gy. With the breakup of large ranches inthese uncertain agricultural times andthe increase in rural sprawl as peoplemove north, the Cariboo Chilcotin facesimportant challenges ahead as its largeintact grasslands are increasingly threat-ened. The GCC and DUC were successfulin providing tools and planting the seedsof alternative development scenarios tothe land-use decision makers. Theyllcontinue to work with the participantsand the governments they represent to

Help! GCCs calf andcurlew need names

Our calf and curlew have worked hard thispast year and feel they deserve names, sotheyve asked us to ask you to name them.Please see our website for more detailsabout the contest.

GCC in Brief

BC GRASSLANDS 5

ensure that these unique and importantgrasslands are not lost. In October 2008, The GCC and DUC

will partner again with their consultingteam of HB Lanarc (formerly HollandBarrs Planning Group) and DeborahCurran to relay this message to the EastKootenays. The GCC will also soonbegin developing a similar workshop forFirst Nations, providing tools and infor-mation to meet the needs of FirstNations governments as they continuetaking a stronger role in the planningand development of their lands.The Planning for Change Initiative

was recognized by Smart Growth BCwith a nomination for a 2008 SmartyAward, which is a special honour.

Ecological Assessments for theCity of KamloopsA direct result and success of the

Planning for Change workshop was thecompletion of An Ecological Assessmentfor the Aberdeen Area Plan, which wascompleted for the City of Kamloops bythe GCC in January 2008. This projectwas multifaceted: a literature review wasfollowed by field surveys and data analy-sis, which resulted in priority mappingand an analysis of ecosystems. Theresulting ecological assessment includesplant and wildlife species lists and mapsof the ecological communities, as well aspriority ecological zones showcasingimportant habitat features. It also con-tains planning considerations for eachecological zone (such as wildlife buffersand corridors) and recommendations onfuture steps for the City of Kamloopswhen planning for the development ofthe area. It contains detailed ecologicalmapping and sound scientific reasoningfor the delineation of red (conservation),amber (sustainable development) andgreen (development) zones and providesthe planning department with scientificrationale for ecologically sustainabledevelopment. Field work was completed by Terry

McIntosh on most of the properties with-in the Aberdeen Area Plan, with one

landowner choosing to do its own eco-logical assessment. The City of Kamloopshas opted to accept the majority of therecommendations made by the GCC inthe assessment and is partnering withthe GCC on another ecological assess-ment on the Lac du Bois grasslands, out-side of the provincial park there. This isan exciting and innovative new directionfor the GCC that is a direct benefit of thepartnership building aspect of thePlanning for Change initiative and theexcellent quality of the priority grass-lands mapping, which played a signifi-cant role in the analysis of the data.

Multi-phased approach to ORVregulationThe Off-Road Vehicle Coalition is still

working hard to make a regulatoryframework for ORVs happen in BC. TheCoalition has had many discussions withgovernment, and they are working tofind a solution that satisfies both govern-ment and the representative groups.Recent restructuring within governmentplaces the ORV file in the Ministry ofTourism, Culture and the Arts underMinister Bill Bennett, who has been asupporter of the ORV Coalition in thepast.

Grasslands Monitoring Manual forBritish Columbia: A Tool for Ranchers

After a long process of bringing science together with communications, theGCC will print the Grassland Monitoring Manual in late fall and have it ready for thenext field season.

The manual will provide ranchers with a strong, systematic approach forrecording what is happening on their grasslandboth the changes they currentlysee on the land base and the changes they might expect based on managementpractices.

As the manual says, Maintaining healthy, reliable grass from year to year whiledealing with fluctuating climatic changes and shifting operational needs can bechallenging. Whether on crown or private lands, monitoring is a useful way tomeasure change on your grassland. As a monitoring tool, this manual helps youdetect any problems that may occur. Addressing these problems at an early stagehelps you manage your grasslands

Tailored for ranchers, the manual will help them maintain healthy, productivegrasslands and, ultimately, better yields for their operations.

PHOTO BRIAN WIKEEM

Conservation Covenants & the ALCThe GCC has spent the last two years work-

ing closely with several land trust organiza-tions (The Land Conservancy of BC, TheNature Trust, Nature Conservancy of Canada,Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Land TrustAlliance of BC) to find a solution to the issueof putting conservation covenants on landwithin the Agricultural Land Reserve. Thework has now been passed on to a group withthe BC Trusts for Public Lands. While theGCC will continue to play an advisory role onthis committee, the BCTPL will carry on withthe main work with the Agricultural LandCommission on this important issue.

Okanagan Collaborative ConservationProgramTasha Sargent sits on the steering commit-

tee of the Okanagan CollaborativeConservation Program (OCCP), which com-pleted its first year as an official entity with anumber of successful projects under its belt.Currently coordinated by Susan Latimer, theOCCP continues its excellent work with localgovernments to provide mapping and plan-ning expertise to protect the sensitive ecosys-tems in the North Okanagan.

Tasha SargentStewardship Plannertasha.sargent@bcgrasslands.org

The months following the launch of themethodology for the Priority GrasslandsInitiative (PGI) were exciting times for theGCC and our partners. We continued togather information for the initiative, refinedthe methodology, completed our firstregional analysis and portfolio, and pack-aged it so its readily accessible to decisionmakers and planners across the province,indeed across the country. And all this wasdone in time to let us feed it into valuablenew provincial conservation strategies.

Refining and definingAs we reported in the last magazine, the

unveiling of the methodology for the initia-tive was just one step in the process of iden-tifying priority grasslands and workingtowards their protection on a basis of soundscience and collabo-rative implementa-tion. Through thewinter we continuedto test and refinethe methodology

and gather data to identify, delineate andrank priority grasslands. The expert inter-views we conducted over the winter wereespecially enlightening, in that we discov-ered how much information and knowledgestill needs to be captured and digitally cata-logued. Given the experts diverse range ofexpertise in fields such as biology, ecology,agrology and recreation and in sectors suchas government, private consultancies andacademia, they were able to identify fea-tures, including those of species at risk,habitats and uses of lands that were notcaptured on paper maps. As well, theyadded a great deal to our understanding ofconnectivity corridors and recreation valuesof areas and helped us to refine the predic-tive habitat models.

Partnering withthe City ofKamloops to con-duct an ecologicalanalysis of the grass-lands of the citysAberdeen area gave

Conservation of GrasslandsProgramMomentum building for Priority Grasslands Initiative

6 BC GRASSLANDS

GCC In Brief

PHOTO BY RICHARD DOUCETTE

BC GRASSLANDS 7

us a valuable opportunity to test and refine the methodolo-gy and analysis in a very practical application on a smallscale. The refinement continued at the latest Planning forChange workshop in the Cariboo Chilcotin in April, whereland-use planners and decision makers were able to test theportfolio design for usefulness and accessibility.The more we worked with our partners and generated

interest in the PGI, the more obvious it was that the infor-mation we were gathering was needed. In the process, thepartners identified further needs, meaning we had evenmore information to gather. We cant generate the infor-mation fast enough, says Bruno Delesalle, the ExecutiveDirector of the GCC. Were scrambling to get it out. Butthe benefits of the extra efforts will be well worth it.

Accessible to allGiven the amount and depth of information we gathered,

we had to ensure that its delivery would be as accessibleand useful as possible. So that regional planners can findthe information they need in one place, the ecosystemsboundaries follow those of provincial regional districts,such as the Thompson-Nicola Regional District. And as theanalyses will be done over time, weve designed a binderthat allows clients both to slot in analyses as they are com-pleted and to use only those that are relevant to them. Theportfolios will be mapped-based in order to provide themost possible information in a ready-to-read manner, withthe priority areas clearly delineated and brief written expla-nations included. Fuller, more technical explanations willbe provided in a separate volume. Finally, land-use plan-ners will be able to electronically access the portfoliosthrough either the GCC or provincial government websites,easing their research time and efforts.

Thompson Basin PortfolioWith the data gathered, the mapping prepared and the

delivery planned, we were able to prepare the first of theregional analyses this summer. The Thompson BasinEcosection analysis and portfolio is not only our first butwill also be the most complex of the analyses. We beganwith less information on this region than any of the otherregions, so the preparation time was considerably longerthan we expect it will be for the others. Now that the port-folio is completed, politicians, decision makers and plan-ners of the Thompson region have access to powerful ana-lytical tools and modelling to inform their land-use plan-ning and decision-making processes. As well, governmentsand non-government organizations of the region haveaccess to the same tools to assist them in the protectionand acquisition of high value and threatened priority grass-land sites. Further, as we now have a current status base-line, we can begin status reporting in the region, identify-ing trends in the grasslands.

CollaborationThe timing of the latest developments in the PGI couldnt

have been better. With the recent launch of a provincialbiodiversity strategy through the Biodiversity BC partner-ship of government and non-governmental organizationsand a new government action plan, called the ConservationFramework, for saving endangered species (for a fuller dis-cussion of the strategy and plan, see page 28), the PGI willboth support and draw from these initiatives. We will sharesimilar information with the Agricultural LandCommission. The PGI has already proven that it provides scientific

rationale to the Planning for Change Initiative and regionalstrategy documents. Other organizations are also voicinginterest in some of the products being produced for thePGI. For example, some of the predictive habitat modelingresults may be used by government for inventorying andmonitoring purposes. The rattlesnake model could helpfocus inventory efforts and may lead to the discovery ofunknown hibernation sites. Now that the GCC has the most comprehensive database

for grasslands analysis in the province, we and our partnerscan continue to develop scientifically-based rationale fordecision makers. As we move forward on an ecologicalassessment of Kamloops Lac du Bois area and portfoliosfor the Cariboo and South Okanagan regions, well be ableto make use of the powerful analytical and modellinginstruments weve developed.

Catrina Crowe, Communications & Outreach Coordinator

For further information, contact:

Richard Doucette, Conservation Plannerrichard.doucette@bcgrasslands.org

Ian Mackenzie, GIS Analystian.mackenzie@bcgrasslands.org

PGI information will be available on the GCCswebsite and will also be distributed to many ofGCCs partners, including the following:

The BC Conservation Data Centre (CDC)www.env.gov.bc.ca/cdc/

BC Land and Resource Data Warehouse (LRDW)lrdw.ca

Kamloops - South Thompson Sustainable CommunityAtlas www.kamloopsatlas.com

Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Program(OCCP)www.bcgrasslands.org/occp.htm

Sustainable Planning for the Okanagan Environment(spOKe)spoke.pyr.ec.gc.ca

8 BC GRASSLANDS

Grasslands Research

Research at TRUAcross British Columbia, GCC partners are conducting extensive grasslands research, much of it not readily accessible,even to other researchers. So, with this issue, we will begin a series to introduce our readers to some of the research thatis vital to our understanding of the provinces grasslands and to their health. Future columns will focus on one or tworesearch projects at a time.

In this inaugural column, DDrr.. LLaauucchhllaann FFrraasseerr (GCC director and Thompson Rivers University (TRU) professor)provides a summary of the many projects being directed out of TRU in Kamloops. This fall, TRU and the GCC are toco-host a seminar series on grasslands research. Please see the GCC website for the posting of the date and topics.

TITLE OF PROJECT FACULTY AND GRAD STUDENTS INVOLVED

Agroforestry in south-central British Columbia: managingforested rangelands for forage and forestry following sal-vage harvesting in beetle-killed lodgepole pine forests.

Faculty: Lauch Fraser, Wendy Gardner, Peter TsigarisResearch Associates: Doug Veira (AgCan), Klaas Broersma (AgCan),Don Thompson (AgCan), Phil Youwe (MoFR), Reg Newman (MoFR), BobFrance (BC Cattle), Lisa ZabekStudent: Percy Folkard

What do we do with the slash piles generated duringecosystem restoration projects?

Faculty: Lauch Fraser, Roy Turkington (UBC) Research Associate: Greg Anderson (MoFR) Students: Lisa DeSandoli

How will climate change affect the distribution and competi-tive performance of Spotted Knapweed and CommonToadflax in South Interior grasslands?

Faculty: Lauch Fraser, Wendy Gardner Student: Amber Greenall

The effects of cattle grazing on wetland parameters impor-tant to breeding waterfowl in Southern Interior BC: an inte-grated landscape approach.

Faculty: Lauch Fraser, Brian Heise, Jeff Curtis (UBC-O) Research Associate: Don Thompson (AgCan) Student: Marc Jones, Denise Clark

Small mammal/grassland cover project. Faculty: Karl Larsen, Lauch Fraser Research Associate: Cindy Haddow (MoE) Student: Gerad Hales

Invertebrate/grassland cover project Faculty: Lauch Fraser, Karl Larsen Research Associate: Cindy Haddow (MoE) Student: Eleanor Bassett

Trophic interactions in grasslands. Faculty: Lauch Fraser, Karl Larsen, Roy Turkington (UBC) Student: Bill Harrower

Managing the interacting effects of grazing and global cli-mate change in BC interior rangelands.

Faculty: Lauch Fraser, Roy Turkington (UBC) Research Associate: Don Thompson (AgCan) Student: Cameron Carlyle

Effects of stress and disturbance on temperate grasslands:linking plant traits and ecosystem function.

Faculty: Lauch Fraser, Roy Turkington (UBC) Student: Cameron Carlyle

The resilience of grasslands in the BC southern interior. Faculty: Lauch Fraser, Roy Turkington (UBC) Research Associate: Don Thompson (AgCan) Student: Cameron Carlyle

First step restoration techniques in natural bunchgrass com-munity after biological control has temporarily eliminated dif-fuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa).

Faculty: Lauch Fraser, Roy Turkington (UBC) Student: Angela Knopp

Sustainable management of the Ponderosa pine parklandecosystems in the Thompson River watershed after themountain pine beetle epidemic.

Faculty: Alan Vyse, Tom Dickinson, John Karakatsoulis, Wendy Gardner,Kent Watson Research Associates: Andre Arsenault (MoFR), Graeme Hope (MoFR),Doug Lewis (MoE), Jenny Heron (MoE)City of Kamloops Consultant: Ralph Heinrich

Distribution and dispersal of dormant stages of aquatic inver-tebrate inhabiting alkaline ponds of the BC interior.

Faculty: Louis Gosselin Students: Lachlan McLean, Carey Holmes

Badger ecology in the Cariboo region of British Columbia. Faculty: Karl Larsen Student: Richard Klafki

Contrasting spring and fall grazing regimes for effects ongrassland biota.

Faculty: Karl Larsen Research Associates: Don Thompson, (AgCan); Jeff Lemieux (TRU)

Spadefoot toad ecology in the grasslands of the Caribooregion.

Faculty: Karl Larsen Research Associate: Roger Packham, (MoE)Student: Brandi Mogge (starting 2009)

Conservation of rattlesnakes. Faculty: Karl Larsen

BC GRASSLANDS 9

UPCOMING EVENTS

Preserving the Spirit of the Shuswap:BC Nature Conference and AGMOCTOBER 2 TO 5, 2008SORRENTO CENTREExperience the beauty of Shuswap Lake and Adams River, view vege-tation re-growth after the 2003 fire and learn about issues includingwater quality, threats to wildlife and how to use media as a communi-ty development tool.bbccnnaattuurree..ccaa

Woodlots: Facing our FutureOCTOBER 2 TO 4, 2008SOUTH THOMPSON GUEST RANCH, KAMLOOPSTwo tours will be conducted during the Joint Annual GeneralMeetings of the Federation of British Columbia Woodlot Associationsand the Woodlot Product Development Council. For part of one tour,Richard Doucette of the GCC will introduce members to the grass-lands and their interface with the forests of the Lac du Bois GrasslandsProtected Area.wwwwww..wwooooddlloott..bbcc..ccaa

BCCA Environmental Stewardship AwardNominationsDEADLINE OCTOBER 3, 2008The BC Cattlemens Association recognizes the efforts of beef cattleproducers who have enhanced the environmental attributes of BCranchlands through outstanding management practices and/or inno-vative ideas. The award was presented this year to the Huwer Ranch ofLumby.wwwwww..ccaattttlleemmeenn..bbcc..ccaa

Reel Change Film FestivalOCTOBER 24 TO 26, 2008LAKE COUNTRY, OKANAGAN, BCParticipants will be treated to a variety of documentaries about specif-ic sustainability issues. Each film will be followed by a panel discus-sion involving local experts in that particular topic.wwwwww..ffrreesshhoouuttllooookkffoouunnddaattiioonn..oorrgg

Invasive Plant Research in BC: CurrentProjects and Future Trends ForumOCTOBER 29 TO 30, 2008RICHMOND, BCParticipants at the 2-day forum will discuss (1) research that is cur-rently underway in BC and the Pacific Northwest (PNW), (2) researchthat is required to inform successful invasive plant management in BCand the PNW, and (3) next steps for invasive plant research in BC. wwwwww..iinnvvaassiivveeppllaannttccoouunncciillbbcc..ccaa

State of the Fraser Basin ConferenceFEBRUARY 19 TO 20, 2009VANCOUVERThe Many Faces of Stustainability: Strategies and Success Stories forTodays Leaders conference is to be held in conjunction with the first-ever Youth Congress Uniting for Sustainability and the 2009Sustainability Awards Gala Dinner.wwwwww..ffrraasseerrbbaassiinn..bbcc..ccaa

PAST EVENTSSmarty AwardsAPRIL 18, 2008VANCOUVERThe Smarty Awards are presented by Smart Growth BC in recognitionof excellence in leadership, planning, policy, development and engi-neering across BC. The GCC was thrilled to be a finalist for the People(large communities) award that was presented to Deborah Curran ofDeborah Curran & Co., a regular consultant of the GCC.Congratulations Deborah!!ssmmaarrttggrroowwtthh..bbcc..ccaa

If you would like to submit an update about anupcoming or successfully held grassland event toAcross the Province, email gcc@bcgrasslands.org.

Across the Province

UPDATEIn the last issue, we mentioned that GCC memberJoanna Reid had won the prestigious BritishHarpers Bazaar Orange Prize for her short storyThe Gesture. Her story, which vividly captures thelandscape and grasses of the Fraser Valley, is nowavailable on line:

www.harpersbazaar.co.uk/Fashion/Short-Story-by-Joanna-Reid/v1

SPECIES AT RISK PRIMERThe Stewardship Centre for BC and EnvironmentCanada have partnered to create a new on-lineresource to learn about species at risk in yourregion. Called Species at Risk & Local Government:a Primer for BC, it is available at

www.speciesatrisk.bc.ca

Feature

10 BC GRASSLANDS

This year were celebrating British Columbias 150thanniversary. We should also be recognizing 150 years ofranching in the province, but many ranchers dont feel likecelebrating, unless survival alone is worth a party. From the colonys beginnings in 1858, ranching has been

an integral part of the provinces development; indeed, itessentially defined the character of the Interior of BC.Beyond important economic contributions, ranching hasprovided BC with a rich cultural heritage, shaped settlementpatterns and been at the forefront of stewardship planning.But ranching has faced more than its share of challenges overthe years, and this past decade has been particularly difficult.From mad cow disease to climbing costs, falling beef prices, arising Canadian dollar and land development pressures, thetribulations mount. Many are now asking if ranching will beable to continue contributing to BCs culture, economy andgrasslands stewardship over the next 150 years. "We're taking a whuppin'. It's the worst I've ever seen,"

declares Mark Quaedvlieg, owner of the 2,400 hectare (6,000acre) Barrington Ranch near Keremeos. "We lost two years ofincome to the BSE, and now the price of feed, fertilizer andfuel are through the roof and the price of beef is down." Itcosts more to raise a cow than ranchers get from selling it.The strong Canadian dollar is one recent reason for this, butthere are many other forces at play, including having to com-pete with ranchers in Brazil and Argentina and the UnitedStates ethanol boom, which has pushed the price of grain toall-time record highs. Ranchers were already on the ropesfollowing the confirmation of BSE (bovine spongiformencephalopathy, or mad cow disease) in a single Alberta cowin 2003. The US closed the border to Canadian beef for near-ly two years, which also cut off BC cattle producers from theprocessing plants they needed.Like the weather, hard economic realities are something

ranchers have little control over. Business operators in otherindustries would have shrugged their shoulders and movedon to another enterprise. However, although ranching is abusiness, its also a way of life, and this keeps ranchers ranch-ing. As Quaedvlieg says, "I like what I'm doing, the landscapeand independence and to be rewarded in life for what youdo."

Past rewards, present costsReward was on the mind of the would-be gold miners who,

in their tens of thousands began marching up to the Caribooregion in 1858. US ranchers were not far behind, drivingtheir cattle up the Okanagan Valley to feed the hungry dig-gers. Some saw opportunity in the combination of a readymarket for beef and the rich grasslands in the mild, shelteredCariboo and Chilcotin areas and the Thompson and Nicolariver valleys. These ranchers established some of Canada'sfirst cattle ranches. The Alkali Lake Ranch, southwest ofWilliams Lake and still privately owned, is thought to be theoldest beef cattle producer in Western Canada. Although thegold played out in a couple of decades, cattle ranchingexpanded and thrived, feeding the growing population of thenew province. Over the past 150 years, the cattle industry has changed

considerably. While grasslands remain its lifeblood, theindustry relies on grain for finishing the cattle, makingranches of all sizes vulnerable to international factors affect-ing costs and revenues. "We're an export industry, and that'swhy the strong Canadian dollar hurts us," explains DuncanBarnett, of Barnett Land and Livestock. Although muchsmaller than most BC ranches, with 150 head as opposed to750 on average, Barnett Land and Livestock, near 150 MileHouse, is a typical cow-calf operation, where calves are bornin early spring and grazed on grasslands and Crown land tillthe fall. Over the winter, calves are fed some grain until theyreach their market weight of 300 kilograms (660 pounds)and are then sold to feedlots in Alberta and the US, becausethere is not enough grain in BC to finish them here. Fedhigh-energy diets at feedlots, cattle reach their slaughterweight of 500 to 600 kilograms (1100 to 1320 pounds) in 60to 120 days and are then taken to slaughter plants, mainly inthe US. This system means that most of the beef consumedin BC is imported. Ranchers who do finish their own cattle or simply wish to

sell their grass-fed beef product in the local community arehard pressed to find a local slaughterhouse anymore. Newstrict meat inspection regulations and the costs of compli-ance meant the end of most local slaughterhouses, saysBarnett, whos also an agrologist, a board member of the BCCattlemen's Association and the chair of the Invasive PlantCouncil of BC. That leaves mainly large operators, which arefew and far between and can dictate their prices.

THE ECONOMY OF GRASS

Are Ranchers anEndangered Species?

SStteepphheenn LLeeaahhyy,, EEnnvviirroonnmmeennttaall JJoouurrnnaalliisstt

BC GRASSLANDS 11

Terry Milliken moving hiefers across Gaspard Creek from Front Pasture to Gang Ranch headquarters for pregnancy testing.BEV RAMSTAD

To compound the pressures, ranchers are caught in a vice betweendecreasing revenues and rising costs. Most people dont see it at thesupermarket, but the price BC ranchers get for selling their beef hit a30-year low last fall, Barnett says. Meanwhile diesel prices have quadru-pled in the past 10 years. "Ranchers can't stop using their tractors ormake manufacturers improve tractor fuel efficiency," he observes. Costsof nitrogen fertilizers have doubled over the last three or four years.Grain is at record high prices that are likely to continue rising due to thebooming US ethanol market. In 2008, 114 million tonnes28% of theentire US grain harvestwill be turned into ethanol. Converting this

food into fuel is heavily subsidized by the US government, to the tune of$13 billion this year, reports the Winnipeg-based International Institutefor Sustainable Development. Not surprisingly, a BC Ministry ofAgriculture and Lands financial guide shows that a cow calf operationwith 200 head will lose almost $40,000 a year.

Development pressures"No one is buying a ranch these days to make money selling cows,"

states Ted Lea, a retired vegetation ecologist with the EcosystemsBranch of the BC Ministry of Environment. This view is reinforced by

Feature

12 BC GRASSLANDS

Guy Rose, owner of the 12,000-hectare (30,000-acre)Quilchena Cattle Co. Ltd, who notes that only real rich folklike Sheik Ibrahim Afandi of Saudi Arabia, who bought theGang Ranch, are buying whole ranches. With the price ofbeef not covering costs, its difficult to take care of grasslands.Although grasslands are the most important component on aranch, protecting them by rotating cattle requires a lot offencing, Rose explains, and these days fencing is expensive." Diversification is the only way to survive, Rose has found.

In Quilchena's case, diversification means a nine-hole golfcourse, a lease for a much larger one, an RV park and an his-toric hotel. Other ranches in the area run bed and breakfaststo supplement their income.Rancher Dave Chutter is a reluctant developer. Three-hun-

dred-and-sixty hectares (900 acres) of the 1,400-hectare(3,500-acre) Chutter Ranch near Merritt have been parti-tioned off to develop 87 lots this year. "It took years to cometo this decision," Chutter says. He tried diversification, but itdidnt make enough of a difference. "I couldn't reduce costsanymore and can't pay my employees reasonable wages. Theystay because they love the lifestyle," he explains.Chutter also loves the ranching life and the landscape. As a

partner in the The Land Conservancy's "Nicola RiverCorridor Managing Agriculture, Wildlife, and Fish" project,hes helping to restore seven kilometres of the Nicola River onhis land, by planting cottonwoods and willows, fencing outcattle, controlling flooding and erosion, and managing thetiming and intensity of grazing. But conservation doesnt pay the bills. With the Nicola

Valley Ranchland Estates development, Chutter expects topay off his debts, have a decent retirement and enable hischildren to keep the ranch, if they want it. About 308hectares (770 acres) of the development will be preserved as

grasslands that the ranchcan use under a restric-tive covenant. "I'm happythat most of the landwon't be developed," hesays. It took Chutter two

years to convince the BCAgricultural LandCommission (ALC) thathis plan for developmentwas the best approach tokeep the ranch in opera-tion, he says. The ALC

watches over much of BC's ranching and agricultural landsthat have been designated as a part of the Agricultural LandReserve (ALR) with a view to encouraging farming and con-trolling non-agricultural uses. As part of his agreement withthe ALC, Chutter consolidated the 18 district lots that madeup the ranch under one legal parcel, preventing it from beingfragmented in the future. Still, Chutter reflects, "My idealwould have been to be able to get enough money out ofranching to continue. Do Canadians want to support ahealthy agricultural community? We're not making the deci-sion either way."

The ALR preserves ranchers but not ranches, observes LisaMarak of the Tower Ranch in Kelowna. "The ALR hasbecome a political football and is not helping to carry on theranching tradition." Tower Ranch has shrunk, with part ofthe land being sold off for a development where four housesare currently under construction and more are to come. Twohundred acres are now a golf course and a park. Their cattleare gone. The family remained partners in the development,so they could have some control over their former ranch-lands. "We want to be proud of what gets built here. It's stillour home," explains Marak. However, she goes on to say, "Ifwe hadn't been so close to the city, we would have sold theranch outright.

Are there options where everyone benefits?So what's a rancher to do? Overstock and damage their

grasslands? Sell off 160-acre sections? Convince the public topay for the ecological services ranches provide? A well man-aged ranch maintains and enhances grasslands and biodiver-sity and sequesters carbon and water. Society benefits fromthis stewardship, but ranchers are not compensated for it."We need a way to pay ranchers for producing these benefits,Barnett asserts. As things stand now, ranchers are becomingan endangered species." BCs grasslands are one of the ecological wonders of the

world and the provinces most endangered ecosystem. Theycover less than 1% of the province yet support over 30% of itsthreatened or endangered plant and animal species. Grasslandhabitats provide forage for deer and moose populations, nest-ing areas for grassland birds and open hunting areas for birdsof prey. Yet only approximately 10% of the provinces grass-lands are protected and most of these are in northern regions.Ranching has an important role to play in grasslands steward-ship, as 95% of BC grasslands are working rangeland.Ranching can be compatible with the long-term protection

and enhancement of this eco-wonder, asserts Ted Lea.However, theres been a history of overgrazing in someregions and many areas are in poor condition. And there areongoing problems with cattle damaging some riparian areas,he said. However, Lea is not laying all the blame for the cur-rent condition of the grasslands at the feet of cattle ranching.Urban development, row crops and fruit agriculture have amuch bigger and more permanent impact.Studies in the developed portion of the Okanagan Valley

show that many lower elevation ecosystem types have beenreduced by 60%, in some cases by 90%. That puts somespecies in peril. There are enormous development pressuresin many areas because of second homes, migration from theeast and people at the coast looking to retire to a sunny anddry climate. Some towns and cities will double in size, andlocal municipalities are always looking to increase the proper-ty tax base, Lea says. He continues to say that ranching, donewell, is clearly a better option than development, but heunderstands the financial challenges ranchers face and doesntexpect them to carry the burden of conservation. "There is noway to maintain BC grasslands without paying landownerssomething," he observes. And gone are the days when societycould support ranchers financially simply by purchasing beef.

"We need a way to payranchers for

producing thesebenefits. ... As thingsstand now, ranchers

are becoming anendangered species."

BC GRASSLANDS 13

The public gets upset about development on ranchlandsbut "aren't willing to put their money where their mouthsare," Marak laments. New approaches are desperately needed,she says, with one option being to buy development rightsfrom ranchers when they retire and keep some lands as partof permanent greenbelts. Land trusts could work, but theytake money, too. Perhaps everyone should pay a green taxwith the funds going to preserve grasslands, she suggests. "Ifranchers can't survive, you can't preserve grasslands." Marak sees only two ways forward: Either the public sup-

ports ranchers by buying their beef from them directly,which would be in keeping with the environmental basis forthe newly popular 100-Mile Diet, or the public buys grass-land from ranchers. Echoing what Barnett said earlier, shewarns, "We're an endangered species in need of protection. Ranchers and their families would love to carry on the

ranching lifestyle. The attractions are many. The physicaloutdoor work, the ability to do things on your own terms, towork alongside your family and live in a beautiful landscape,Marak says. "My kids love the life, but they know they can'tmake money ranching. My daughter would love for ourranch to stay this way forever." Pine Butte Ranch, near Cranbrook in the East Kootenay

region, will stay as it is, if not forever, for a very long time.Owner Ray Van Steinburg signed an agreement in 2006 withNature Conservancy of Canadas (NCC) BC Region to protectPine Butte Ranch, which covers 529 hectares (1,306 acres) ofrolling grasslands and hayfield. The NCC purchased about athird of the ranch (195 hectares/480 acres) and leased it backto the ranch for grazing purposes. In return, the ranch donat-ed conservation covenants on the rest of the property, pre-venting intensive subdivision and development of the land.The ranch will continue to operate as it has since 1952,remaining intact and maintaining a valuable wildlife corri-dor. "We reached an agreement that works for both parties,"says Dave Hillary, Program Manager of the NCC's CanadianRocky Mountains Program in Invermere. Conservation covenants can help some ranchers but theyre

not the solution for everyone, Hillary explains. First of all, acovenant is a complex legal agreement that must stand up for50 to 150 years, which means working through many meet-ings and much paperwork to iron out the details. Secondly,its a partnership but does not remove ranchers autonomy. Hesays, "We customize all of our agreements to the circum-stances. It's been a privilege to work with landowners likeRay Van Steinburg." NCC offers fair market value for the land they buy. Not sur-

prisingly, Hillary has more requests for partnerships than canbe processed, simply because they do not have the money. Aspreserving ranches and grassland ecosystem benefits thepublic, hes working to involve local conservation groups andmunicipalities in the East Kootenays in the process. So farthe local municipalities are the "missing link" in creatingmore conservation solutions for ranchers, he explains. Partnerships and collaborations are the keys to solving

these issues, agrees Carol Stark, Executive Director of theChinook Institute for Community Stewardship in Canmore,Alberta. Chinook helps bring community-driven solutions to

the sustainable use and management of Western Canadasnatural landscapes, including the ecological and cultural val-ues of these lands. "There are always multiple functions ofany landscape, ecological, recreational, commercial and soon," says Stark. What Chinook does is help people thinkabout these uses and what their vision is for sustainable long-term use. "Good working landscapes are incredibly impor-tant for the preservationof communities and theregion's ecology, sheexplains. In many areasthe landscape would havebeen carved up withoutranches."

The big pictureWhats sorely lacking is a big picture plan for the future

where everyone benefits. Otherwise piecemeal solutionseventually produce a fragmented landscape. If a ranch sells asection this year, will they have to sell another in ten years?While the public benefits from the ecological servicescleanair, water, grassland stewardship, etc.that ranches provide,governments arent yet ready to pay landowners for theseservices, Stark says. There are other tools that can be used,such as buying or transferring development rights. But gov-ernment leadership on this issue is crucial; they have aresponsibility to do the master planning. Instead, the BC gov-ernment is promoting tourism and opening up new areas forrecreation, she warns, "And inevitably some of those visitorsend up moving to BC." Southeastern BC is under tremendousdevelopment pressure with many well-off Calgarians buyingsecond homes.A big picture plan requires balancing international, nation-

al and local pressures and opportunities. Although rancherslike Mark Quaedvlieg of Barrington Ranch cherish theirindependence, they are extremely small players in the NorthAmerican and global markets for beef, fuel and grain.Canadians still want and get the lowest-priced food in theworld. Locally there are growing development and conserva-tion pressures, changes in the timber industry that affectgrazing on Crown lands and so on. Meanwhile, some feel thatthe government could be doing more to sustaining ranchingas a BC tradition. You make your choices, but you need yourgovernment to stand with you, says Quaedvlieg. Its not just the government that needs to stand with ranch-

ers but also consumers, community organizations and con-servationists. For ranching to be a viable option and continuein its stewardship role for the next 150 years, each sector ofsociety needs to be engaged. Otherwise, as Dave Haywood-Farmer of Indian Gardens Ranch says, If we lose ranching,this province changes, perhaps in ways we cant begin toenvision.

Stephen Leahy has been a freelance environmental journal-ist for the past 12 years. His writing has been published indozens of publications around the world including NewScientist, Macleans Magazine,Wired News, Audubon, BBCWildlife, and Canadian Geographic. His short features canbe seen at stephenleahy.wordpress.com

My kids love thelife, but they knowthey cant makemoney ranching.

Flora

Grasses deserve respectDDoonn GGaayyttoonn,, EEccoollooggiisstt,, FFOORRRREEXX

14 BC GRASSLANDS

Grass is a no-name. Ever since biblical days whenAhab commanded Obadiah to go find some, grass hasbeen used as a generic word to describe anything that isshort, green and has narrow leaves. The staggeringworldwide diversity of the Family Poaceae10,000species and countingis typically lumped into that sin-gle and essentially meaningless word, grass. Thegraminoids are the Rodney Dangerfields of the plantkingdom: they get no respect.The grasses themselves are partly responsible for this,

being so damnably hard to sort out and identify. But aswe awaken to the importance of British Columbiassplendid and threatened native grasslands, we need tomove beyond the generic all-grass-is-grass approachand start making distinctions. This is particularlyimportant when we develop, farm, reclaim or restoreareas in or around native grasslands.So heres the first sort: is the grass native, or intro-

duced? Thats pretty straightforward, and there are vari-ous plant books available to help make that distinction.Heres the second sort: if it is introduced, is it weedy orcultivated? Thats where things get messy. Cheatgrassis obvious: its an introduced grass thats not a crop grassand is phenomenally weedy. But the kicker is that thereare several cultivated or agronomic grasses that, underthe right conditions, can also act as weeds and spreadinto native grasslands.Heres my personal watch list of cultivated grasses

that, after years of looking at BC grasslands, I considerto be weedy:

Canada bluegrassCrested wheatgrassKentucky bluegrassOrchardgrassSmooth bromeTimothy

Dont get me wrong: I love these grasses. Orchardgrassmakes wonderful irrigated pasture; smooth brome is agreat hay crop; crested wheatgrass is the hero that savedprairie soils during the dustbowl years; and I haveKentucky bluegrass in my front yard. But under theright conditions of moisture, aspect, disturbance andfertility, these grasses will invade and permanently colo-nize our native grasslands.

Lists like the one above are guaranteed to start argu-ments, which I always welcome. Arguments are a fun-damental part of making distinctions, of moving for-ward to a more nuanced understanding of a topic. Butthere is some urgency to developing this understandingbecause of our ongoing use of grass seeding to controlsoil erosion and suppress weed invasion. Grass seedmixesmany containing my listed bad boysare rou-tinely applied to roads, pipelines, oil and gas and min-ing developments. Grass seed mixes are flown on toforested areas after wildfires and seeded into cutblocksafter harvesting. And as a side issue, exotic grasses arenow the rage in the landscape trade.So the obvious response is, If these cultivated grasses

are a problem in certain areas, why not use native grassseed? Unfortunately, sources of locally-adapted nativegrass seed are virtually nonexistent, and when seed isavailable, prices are staggeringly high. Our next-doorneighbour, the Province of Alberta, has a vibrant andthriving native seed industry, and I recently spoke withMarilyn Neville, an Alberta native seed consultant,about the origins of that sector. It got started in theearly 1990s, Marilyn said, when the Alberta govern-ment agencies responsible for public lands brought in arequirement to use native mixes when reclaiming anydisturbances on public land. The oil and gas sector thentook the lead, individual seed growers began experi-menting, and it just gradually caught on from there.Although Albertas native seed industry has its ups

and downs, its still light years ahead of BCs native seedsector. I asked Marilyn what advice she had for kick-starting a native seed industry in BC, and she wasrefreshingly blunt in her response: Its got to start fromthe top, with governments restricting the use of intro-duced grasses on public land, at the same time as theybegin research and extension on native grass seed.I do look forward to the time when native seed pro-

duction and use is an established fact in BC, to the daywhen my local feed store carries bluebunch wheatgrassas well as Kentucky bluegrass seed and to the momentwhen we all know one grass from another.

Don Gaytons Interwoven Wild: An Ecologist Loose inthe Garden was short listed for a 2008 BC Book Prize. DR

AWING BY NICOLE BRAND

Think of insects of the grasslands. Grasshoppers proba-bly leap to mind. Maybe also bees and wasps, buzzingover the sand, or colourful butterflies, sipping nectarfrom grassland flowers. But dragonflies?Most certainly dragonflies. Wherever grasslands are

punctuated by ponds, marshes or lakeshores, dragonfliescan be abundant. While they usually fly or perch aroundthe edge of water bodies, many also move far into thedry, grassy landscape, especially when they are huntingfor prey or when young adults are awaiting sexual matu-rity.Unlike many grassland insects, dragonflies are large

and colourful, so they are easy to find, if you know whereto look. As adults theyre active by day, so a patientobserver can easily watch dragonflies going about theirlives. Of the 87 species known in British Columbia, atleast 50 can be found around grassland waters, althoughnot all of these are common or widespread.Dragonflies are ecologically important for many rea-

sons. They are upper-level predators in aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats, often dominating the large inverte-brates, especially in places where there are no fish. Theyusually inhabit the edges of water bodies, living as larvaein shallow water and as adults mostly in the rich zonebetween dry land and open water. Many species live onlyin particular habitats, and their presence can be used tocharacterize healthy wetlands of all sorts.The insect order Odonata (Greek for toothed jaws)

contains about 5,500 named species and 33 familiesworldwide. The order contains both the groups of insectsknown as the dragonflies and damselflies; here I will usethe name dragonflies to refer to the whole order. InNorth America, the Odonata includes two suborders: theZygoptera (damselflies) and the Anisoptera (true dragon-flies). Damselflies are slimmer, often smaller, and usuallyfly more slowly than dragonflies. At rest, their equal-sized wings are typically held together above the body(the spreadwing family being an exception). Zygopterameans joined wings. True dragonflies are robust, oftenfast-flying, with the hindwings broader than theforewings. Anisopterameans unequal wings. Whenperched they hold their wings out away from the body.

Dragonflies live in and around many aquatichabitats. Certain kinds prefer small ponds andwarm, marshy lakeshores; others live mostlyin colder lakes; and some are found only alongstreams or in peatlands. Warm ponds andmarshes rich in aquatic vegetation, the habi-tats most closely associated with grasslands inBC, support the most species. More specieslive in the south of the province than in thenorth.

Life cycleThe aquatic larva eats small aquatic insects,

crustaceans and even fish; it moults often,usually ten to fourteen times. For many BCspecies, the life cycle takes about a year. Manyspecies overwinter as larvae and emerge thefollowing spring or summer, but some spread-wings and meadowhawks that live in tempo-rary ponds overwinter as eggs, hatch in thespring, grow rapidly and emerge as adults inthe summer. Still other species can spend upto six years or longer in the larval stage.Development time depends on the species andalso on altitude, latitude and amount of day-light.When the adult emerges into the air from its

larval skin and expands into the adult form, itis pale in colour but gradually becomes darkerand often brighter as it matures. The colourpatterns are useful in species identification. Most of the dragonflies you see near water

are males aggressively searching for mates anddefending territory. Females coming to thewater to breed quickly attract mates. With theappendages at the tip of the abdomen, a malegrasps a female by the front of the thorax (inthe case of damselflies) or by the top of thehead. This head to tail arrangement is calledthe tandem position. Before joining with afemale or even while in the tandem position,the male transfers sperm from the tip of hisabdomen to his penis, which is under the sec-ond abdominal segment. The female then

BC GRASSLANDS 15

Fauna

DragonfliesJewels in the grassRRoobb CCaannnniinnggss,, PPhh..DD..,, CCuurraattoorr ooff EEnnttoommoollooggyy,, RRooyyaall BBCC MMuusseeuumm

TOP Variable Darner (male).

BOTTOM Boreal Bluets mating (male,top, female, bottom

PHOTOS

GEORGE DOERKSEN, ROYAL BC MUSEUM

loops the end of her abdomen up to the baseof the males abdomen so that the sperm canbe transferred. Dragonflies are the only insectsthat mate in this circular formation, called thewheel position, which they maintain for a fewseconds or several hours, depending on thespecies. The female lays her fertilized eggs bythe hundreds. All damselflies, darners andsome others have a knifelike egg-laying struc-ture (the ovipositor) at the tip of the abdomenand lay their eggs in plant tissue. Other specieslack ovipositors and drop eggs into the water,mud or moss.

Dragonflies in the grasslandsThere is no specialized dragonfly fauna in

BC grasslands. The species that occur in thegrasslands are the same as those found inmarshes and on pond edges in other ecosys-tems around the province. However, somedragonflies are more often found in grasslandwaters than are their close relatives, and a feware able to withstand the high salinities ofalkaline ponds, typical of many of our drygrassland habitats.

SpreadwingsThe most common of our grassland dam-

selflies are species of spreadwings (Lestes) andAmerican bluets (Enallagma). Spreadwingshold their wings at a 45 angle when at restand mature adults often have blue eyes.Species of spreadwings are generally dark,green-bronze with whitish pruinescence, awaxy powder, developing with age on parts ofthe body, including the abdomen tip in males.The Emerald Spreadwing is the exception inBC, being coloured a shining metallic green; itprefers shallow ponds that dry up in summer.At any one place, adult Emerald Spreadwingsare usually the first emeralds to appear inearly summer, followed by emerging Northernand Lyretipped spreadwings and finally bySpotted Spreadwings in mid to late summer.The Spotted is the last damselfly to disappearin the autumn; in the southern valleys, it oftenhangs on until early November.

BluetsAs for the American bluets, there are seven

species in BC. These are the sky blue dam-selflies that sometimes swarm around grass-land lakes and ponds. The Alkali Bluet isalmost completely restricted to saline ponds inOkanagan and Thompson grasslands,although there are a few records from theChilcotin. The most abundant grassland

species is the Boreal Bluet, which is probablythe most widespread and common odonate inall BC. Around grassland waters, especiallysaline ones, high densities can colour shore-lines like a blue haze. Bigger grassland lakeswith tall bulrushes (Scirpus) stands are hometo the Tule Bluet. In central and northeasternBC grasslands, the Eurasian bluets(Coenagrion) are also common. The mostabundant is the Taiga Bluet, more typical ofmarshes in northern forests, but also commonin early summer in grassland lakes. In BC, thePrairie Bluet is found only east of the Rockiesin the marshes of the plains of the Peace Riverregion.

ForktailsWhile some of the bluets can be found in the

north, the forktails (Ischnura) are mainlysouthern species. The black and blue PacificForktail is the typical damselfly of thick cat-tail (Typha) marshes. The female WesternForktail, with its green eyes and stocky, greypruinose body and habit of laying eggs alonein the open, is more often seen than the slen-der green and black male. The Vivid Dancer(Argia vivida) is a red-listed species at risk; inBC, its mostly restricted to streams flowing

16 BC GRASSLANDS

TOP Cherry-faced Meadowhawk (male). BOTTOM Twelve-spotted Skimmer (male)

PHOTOS GEORGE DOERKSEN, ROYAL BC MUSEUM

Fauna

out of mountain hot springs, which are often underthreat of development. However, in a few places inthe grasslands of the South Okanagan, this south-ern species develops in trickles originating in coolsprings. These spots are sometimes trampled bydrinking cattle. Given that their habitat is often dis-turbed, the damselfly populations should be moni-tored carefully.

DarnersMembers of the family Aeshnidae, the darners,

are large, swift flying dragonflies usually markedwith blue, green or yellow. Darners probably gottheir name from the old superstition that they sewup the lips of naughty boys with their long slenderabdomensthe devil's darning needles. They areamong the most familiar dragonflies around grass-land waters. In BC, there are thirteen species ofdarners, and most have been found in grasslandhabitats. Adults tirelessly hunt for insects overponds, lakes and streams and wander widely insearch of prey. When they land, most species rest ina vertical position. Females lay eggs in water plantsor floating wood above or below the water line. Byfar the most common species at grassland pondsand marshes is the Variable Darner, which is foundall over the province. The Lance-tipped Darner is arare species at ponds and marshes in southern inte-rior valleys; many of its habitats have been filled ordrained over the years. The Blue-eyed and

California darners are common at grasslandwaters in southern valleys; the former has strik-ing sky-blue eyes, the latter is the first darner toappear in the spring.

EmeraldsWhile most of the family Corduliidae (emer-

alds) inhabit forests and peatlands, one species,the green-black Mountain Emerald, with glow-ing green eyes, sometimes appears aroundgrassland shorelines, especially where tallsedges grow.

SkimmersThe related skimmers (Libellulidae) is a domi-

nant family in grassland habitats. Adults spendmuch of their time perching. Depending on thespecies, they rest on plant stems or flat on theground, on logs or on the floating leaves ofwater plants. The King Skimmers (Libellula)flash by with their spotted wings and dartingflight. The scarlet males of meadowhawks(Sympetrum) are abundant around grasslandponds, especially in late summer and fall, andare easy to approach. Females can be red, likemales, or brown. One species, the BlackMeadowhawk, is distinctive black spangled

with yellow and although it can live along thewarmest lakeshores in southern valleys, it is equallyat home in far northern and coastal bogs. I haveseen Banded Meadowhawks by the hundredsperched on antelope-brush in Osoyoos grasslands,well above the lake, and clouds of Cherry-facedMeadowhawks laying eggs, males and females intandem, in little ponds on the Chilcotin plateau.Some, like the Variegated and Saffron-wingedmeadowhawks, are among our most alkaline-toler-ant odonates. The whitefaces (Leucorrhinia) areprimarily forest species and are less common ingrasslands than meadowhawks. Still, the small redand black, white-faced males of the HudsonianWhiteface and Boreal Whiteface often percharound grassland ponds, especially in central BC.Dragonflies have fascinated people all over the

world and down through the ages with their brightcolours and dashing flight. Next time you strollthrough a grassland, head to the edge of a pond orlake and enjoy the dragonfly treasures there.

References:Cannings, R.A. 2002. Introducing the Dragonflies ofBritish Columbia and the Yukon. Royal BritishColumbia Museum, Victoria, BC. 96 pp.

Dr. Robert A. Canning, who has studied dragonfliesfor over 30 years, describes the natural history of 88species in Introducing the Dragonflies of BritishColumbia and the Yukon, available from UBC Press.

BC GRASSLANDS 17

TOP Cherry-faced Meadowhawk (male). BOTTOM Twelve-spotted Skimmer (male)

PHOTOS GEORGE DOERKSEN, ROYAL BC MUSEUM

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Back in the Stone Age (end of the 1960s), when studyingEconomics 101 at university, students started with the classi-cal version of the subject. It was seductively simple as anexplanation of how people interact in our capitalist society inorder to fulfill their needs and desires. Goods are producedby entrepreneurs for people to consume. Services are workdone by someone for someone else, usually for a fee. Theterm goods and services covers the things that we all needto keep us alive and those things that we want to make ushappy (we hope). They are created by combining what thetextbooks call factors of production, an Economics 101term for economic resources, which were categorized as land,labour and capital. Land is a euphemism for the natural resources that aremanufactured into something people can use by means ofmachinery and financing (a.k.a. capital) and a little hardwork from labour. Presto! An entrepreneur (the producer)then has something to sell in the market place. There, thegoods and services produced are expected (through marketanalysis) to be exchanged between the producer/seller/sup-plier and a willing buyer for a certain price. The price that aconsumer is willing to pay for goods and services is supposedto repay the producer for any expenses paid to buy the inputsof land, labour and capital, as well as a profit deemed rea-sonable by the purchaser of the good or service. The con-sumer is assumed to be always operating in an open compet-itive market place. While straight forward in principle, a short example canshow how complicated the economic process can be even in asmall, everyday transaction. For instance, when you order a$10.00 pizza, the labour you pay for includes a cook, clerkand delivery person; the capital resources used in your orderinclude a telephone, oven, pizza wheel and delivery car; thenatural resources, all traced back to the land, include oildeposits used to make the plastic of the telephone and thegas for the delivery car, metal ores used to produce the carand oven, trees used in the production of the delivery boxcardboard, farmland that grew the wheat and other food

products used in the topping, and water or fuel used to gen-erate electricity to heat the oven. After you eat the pizza, yousend the box to a landfill or recycling. Even the simpleprocess of ordering a pizza shows how our actions are linkedto the environment, the source of the resources used to pro-duce the goods and a sink for the bads (the waste leftover in the production process or the product itself when itsuseful life is over). In the classic parlance of mainstream economics, the air webreathe and the water we depend on were considered freegoods and werent considered scarce. No one worried aboutexhausting the supply of clean air and water. Emissions wentinto the air or were dumped into a stream or a landfill. Thesewastes were called externalities, as they affected third par-ties external to the production or consumption processes andoften were not factored into the costs of manufacturing. Ifthese wastes could be disposed of into the commons, suchas the air, oceans or rivers, which were not owned privately,there were few or no costs to the producer associated withwaste disposal. The concept of free disposal for waste fromthe production process was a part of the market theorydeveloped in the 1800s to explain how our mainstream eco-nomic system operated, and the concept has persisted to thisday. We live with an inherited capitalist market systemfocused on exponential materialistic growth that is equatedwith progress. This is a system where damage to environ-mental processes is considered the price to be paid forprogress or where damage can be mitigated or restored.

Simple, or simplistic?Under the classical economic model, there were some seri-ous ecological problems with the way we operated the econo-my. It was not that we were unaware of the linkages betweenour environment and our economy. Even the Greek origins ofthe terms economics and ecology are the same. Oikos is ourhouse in Greek. Oikos + logos is to study our house and howit operates, as in the discipline of ecology. Oikos + nomosmeans to manage our house, as in the discipline of econom-

THE ECONOMY OF GRASS

Economics 101 & the Environment

BBaarrbbaarraa HHeeiiddeennrreeiicchh

18 BC GRASSLANDS

CHANGES IN ECONOMIC THINKING COULD HELP BCGRASSLANDS AND RANCHERS

Each grassland landscape provides many examples of values that can be economically measured. In this photo, we can seeopportunities for forage, wildlife habitat, water filtration, carbon sequestering, nitrogen fixation and recreation, for a start, for whichecological economics and full cost accounting can assign values.PHOTO RICHARD DOUCETTE

BC GRASSLANDS 19

ics. Our society needs both disciplines to operate. Our econo-my draws on the physical environment for non-renewableresources and on ecosystems for renewable resources. Thebiosphere is the source of everything that we need and a sinkfor everything that we no longer want. Our individual capacity to consume is virtually unlimited,and the number of consumers continues to grow exponen-tially along with the population. But we are rapidly discover-ing that the material resources of the worlds ecosystems areultimately limited by biological production and the extent towhich their ecological processes are impaired by exploitationand pollution. This grinding realization that we may be livingwell beyond the capacity of our ecosystems was brought intothe general public consciousness in 1987 with the publicationof Our Common Future, a report of the United NationsWorld Commission on Environment and Development(WCED 1987). The UN study focused on the hopeful concept of sustain-able development. This was a term for a new paradigm thatrecognized that any human activity dependent on the con-sumptive use of ecological resources (forestry, agriculture,fisheries, urban sprawl) cannot continue indefinitely if it con-sumes not only the annual production of that resource,described in economic terms as the interest, but also theecological capital that creates that interest. In grassland

terms, if every blade of grass produced annually (the inter-est) is consumed so that no grass dies and decomposes toreplenish the organic content and natural nutrients of thesoil, the annual crop produced through biological processesbecomes less and less each year. Both consuming the interest and cutting into our capitalbase is the basis of our current environmental crisis. Not onlyare we harvesting environmental goods faster than they arebeing regenerated by the ecological systems, but the valuableservices performed by ecosystems, such as absorbing andrecycling organic and nutrient wastes, are at or beyond thecapacity of the ecosystem to undertake the service for us.

Ecological EconomicsBy the mid-1980s, some resource economists and ecologistsadopted a collaborative research approach to tackling envi-ronmental issues. Since then, ecological economics hasemerged as a discipline in its own right, as its adherentsfocus on trying to place a financial value on environmentalservices to highlight the importance of environmental pro-tection. Research issues include perfecting methodologies forenvironmental impact assessments and developing the cost-ing of ecosystem services, such as the pollination of plants byinsects. Other research is being done to develop nationalaccounting systems that recognize negative factors, such as

waste, as a cost. The effort and resources used in cleaning uppollution would then be seen as costs to society that reduceour progress, instead of as activities that adds jobs and valueto nations Gross Domestic Product. One school of ecological economics was established byHerman E. Daly, a prominent economist now at theUniversity of Maryland. As founder of the InternationalSociety for Ecological Economics (ISEE), Daly could see alimit as to how long the Earths natural resources could beconsumed at our present rate. He believes that ways need tobe found to reduce human consumption without reducingthe quality of life. His classic work (with theologian John B.Cobb Jr.), For the Common Good (1989, 1992), explains howcurrent capitalist economic theories dependent on unlimitedgrowth are not only destructive to the environmentalresource base upon which the economy depends, but alsomorally indifferent to unwanted side effects, such as theunequal distribution of wealth. Under Dalys influence, the assumption that classical andneoclassical economics could solve todays environmentalproblems through market mechanisms (pricing), regulation

and technology was questioned. Ecological economics as pro-posed by Daly and others would provide a new frameworkfor the equitable distribution of resources and property rightsnot just between humans today, but also between current andfuture generations and between humans and other species. A goal that unites all ecological economists is a desire tomake people understand the value that ecosystems performin producing goods and services. For example, presentlywhen we interfere with the functioning of an ecosystem byremoving a species of tree, such as through the clear-cuttingof a forest, the price we pay for the lumber reflects the scarci-ty of the trees of that species and the expenses in cutting it,finishing it and taking it to the market. There is no reflectionin that lumber price of the value that the trees provide insequestering carbon or maintaining groundwater supplies orcooling the atmosphere, nor does the price reflect the cost ofthe loss of those functions when the tree is cut down. Perhaps the most audacious attempt to research and valuethe benefits that ecosystems provide on the planet was pub-lished in 1997 (Nature 387: 253-260, 1997) in a work under-taken by Robert Costanza of the University of Maryland andtwelve co-authors in which they came up with a dollar figurefor the total value of the worlds ecosystem services. Theseservices include pollination, pest control, purification of airand water, flood mitigations, soil fertility, atmospheric gasregulation and all the other goods and services that make lifeas we know it on Earth possible. The researchers valued seventeen ecosystem services forsixteen types of ecosystems (biomes). While the $38 tril-lion-a-year minimum estimate total was derided by theeconomic and science critics, the research was a box officesuccess, headlined in all the major newspapers. Even if theactual dollar value was wrong, and most reviewers believed itwas, Dr. Costanza did do what he set out to accomplish: recti-fy the fact that because ecosystem services are not fully cap-tured in commercial markets or adequately quantified, theyare often given too little weight in policy decisions.Constanzas exercise in assigning value to ecosystem goodsand services, which had been considered free by genera-tions of economic and business students, did serve this veryuseful purpose. The general public and policy makers beganto understand that ecosystems do provide essential goodsand services that underpin our current market system. Theyalso began to understand that these public ecosystem servic-es are undervalued. Ask local orchardists, who over the past few years havebeen watching their army of free pollinators disappearthrough bee colony collapse disorder, what the value of thebees service is to their operations. One way to understandhow to value these free ecological goods and services is toconsider what it would cost to obtain the equivalent resultusing some other method to pollinate (replacement value),if indeed there is another method. In another example of applying monetary value to the serv-ice of an ecosystem, as early as 1885, the New York State

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20 BC GRASSLANDS

GOODS AND SERVICES PROVIDED BYGRASSLANDSGrasslands have great ecological, economic and social-culturalvalue. They can be valued for:

Economic goods and services (resources produced byecosystems that are consumed by people) a feed source for domestic ruminants vegetation types contain medicinal plants genetic resources for new and wild relatives of existing crop

and pasture plants recreational and hunting opportunities ...

Ecological goods and services soil formation soil protection and erosion control of often fragile soil profiles nutrient cycling carbon storage habitat for wild fauna and flora pollination water retention; mitigation of storm-water impacts water purification of surface water and aquifers ...

Socialcultural (non-consumptive) benefits passive recreational aesthetic spiritual educational inspirational a sense of place and space ...

Legislature understood the value of an undeveloped water-shed in maintaining water purity. By creating the"Adirondack Forest Preserve," the state protected the HudsonRiver watershed, which provided New York City's water sup-ply. By buying land and development rights, the City of NewYork deliberately preserved the water filtration capabilities ofthe forest ecosystem. To replace that service with an engi-neering solution in the form of multiple water filtrationplants would have cost more than $6 billion, plus annualrunning costs of $300 million a year (Nature 391: 629-630).

Valuing EcosystemsSignificant advances have been made in recognizing thevalues generally assigned to ecosystems: Direct use values attributed to the consumptive use ofecosystem goods (products such as wood, food, fish, bio-medical products, etc); Direct use values attributed to the non-consumptive use ofecosystems that are found in (a) the psychological andphysical health benefits of the nature effect on copingability, reduced mental fatigue, reduced aggression and vio-lence and (b) the recreational and quality of life values ofaccessible green space that are quantifiable as people spendmoney on recreational activities and property valuesincrease for homes located by green space; Indirect use values attributed to the positive externalitiesthat ecosystems provide, such as flood control, nutrientrecycling, regulation of water flows, atmospheric gas bal-ance, groundwater recharge, fixation of nitrogen and themyriad of other functions. The indirect use values tend tobe recognized after the ecosystem has been destroyed ordamaged and can only be restored through costly engineer-ing solutions. Over time, quantifying in monetary terms the value of thegoods and services provided by ecosystems has become amore exact science, with differing methodologies that varyby ecosystem function and geographic location. A large bodyof research has developed to aid in accounting for the costsand benefits of conservation (2). There still exists, however,huge gaps between the advances made in valuing ecosystemgoods and services, understanding the costs and benefits ofconservation and bringing this research into the govern-ments decision making processes.

Moving to full cost accounting...The development of land and its use generates revenuesand expenditures for municipal governments. Therefore,decisions regarding land use affect both long-term revenuesand costs. However, most municipalities dont take intoaccount ecosystem goods and services when they make landuse decisions. Every conversion from a green field situationresults in an incremental cost to the public financial system.These municipal expenditures relate to the costs of usingcapital and the replacement, operating and maintenancecosts for services, such as roads, sidewalks, streetlights,recreation facilities, schools, libraries, police, etc. The expec-

tation is that the revenue from property taxes, water charges,user fees, etc., will pay for these costs. Understanding thistype of fiscal impact analysis is difficult enough in its ownright. Factoring into the equation the loss of ecosystem func-tions, permanently lost food lands and other cost benefitanalysis goes well beyond the level of information sought orprovided to most decision makers. Only a very few communities have undertaken Cost ofCommunity Studies (COCS). These studies explode the gen-erally held myth that converting our natural heritage,whether grassland or forest ecosystems, into developmentis good because it provides tax revenue to the community.The universal finding in these COC studies is that residential

BC GRASSLANDS 21

NATURAL CAPITALImportance to Planning for Change

Its well documented that grasslands have an important role to play inthe ecological world by providing crucial habitat to many of BCsspecies at risk. Its also known that grasslands have an incrediblesocial and heritage value, with a rich history in ranching that spansmore than a century, often providing the foundation of the varioushuman communities that lie within their grassy realm. Many under-stand the intrinsic value that comes with the beautiful grasslandspaces near our communities. What is not so well understood is theactual dollar cost of the services these ecosystems provide and thefinancial value they hold in their natural state versus the cost to dupli-cate their functions with man-made methods.

Every one of the four GCCs Planning for Change workshops deliveredthe same key message: governments often need dollars and centsrationale for certain decisions. While having a beautiful grasslandsvista for your community is important, that same piece of land canpotentially hold hundreds of housing units that can provide a large taxbase. Its extremely important to understand that keeping the ecosys-tem intact, so it can provide the benefits of helping combat climatechange, filtering water and providing forage for cattle (thereby helpingranches remain viable and keeping them in the local economy), is like-ly more cost effective than building homes that must be serviced withnew infrastructure. Maintaining views and access to recreationalopportunities also increases the values of present homes. That is whythe GCC is beginning to focus on the valueeconomicallyof the goodsand services grasslands provide and the value of their natural capitalfor governments. Once this information is available, local governmentscan incorporate it into land-use planning decisions with full knowledgeof the financial consequences of and a stronger reasoning for grass-lands conservation.

Tasha Sargent, GCC Stewardship Planner

continued on page 27

22 BC GRASSLANDS

It is the 10th of March, and the weather in the NicolaValley has been mild and beautiful, with warm sunny daysand no frost at night. Its wonderful calving weather, and noone could ask for nicer conditions while out checking fences.But... And thats the trouble with life lived close to the land,there is always a But! There is always some worry thatkeeps one from enjoying the beauty of the moment. In thiscase, its the fact that the grass is growing like gang busterson