Province Funding Forest Habitat Study

By 250 News

The Provincial government is kicking in  $70,000 to study ways to increase habitat quality for forest-dependent species.  

B.C. 's Environment Minister, Barry Penner,  says the study will help determine if leaving debris and residual forest after logging is  an effective habitat management tool for  several species .

The mountain pine beetle epidemic has resulted in decreased forest  habitat for species such as fisher and marten. The two fur bearing  species generate considerable
revenue for B.C.'s trapping industry. They are also forest predators of small mammals such as snowshoe hare, porcupine and voles, which can have a negative impact on regenerating forests.

Some evidence suggests that harvested stands are used sooner by fisher and marten when there is more retention of residual forest and coarse woody debris during logging. Maintaining high-quality habitat for these furbearers will benefit both the trapping and forest industries.

Tolko Industries Ltd. is managing the study and  providing funding for the completion of the project.

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