Chilcotin Ark projects

BCTMO Conservation Club is involved in the conservation of the Chilcotin Ark on all levels, from high-level planning and collaboration with other resource users to on-the-ground data collection and analysis. To ensure sustainable resource management in the Chilcotin Ark we use the principle of achieving maximum wildlife population numbers for the habitat‘s potential carrying capacity, this being the indicator for sustainable land management.

Chilcotin Ark High Level Stewardship Planning

In 1990 a partnership between wilderness tourism operators in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region led the project of establishing a land and resource management plan for the area. The management plan was completed and Big Creek Park in the Chilcotin Ark was created as the outcome.

Following this successful collaboration, a similar process was undertaken to develop management directions for the use of Crown land and resources in the Lillooet Timber Supply Area. The process produced the Lillooet Land Resource Management Plan (LLRMP) which was drawn up between 1999 and 2004. BCTMO Conservation Club was the guiding industry representative and major contributor in providing input to the plan and from this, the South Chilcotin Mountains Park was approved for park status in 2004, adding to the protected areas in the Chilcotin Ark.

In 2009, the Wilderness Tourism Association (WTA) and Council of Tourism Associations (COTA), with local tourism operators, created a memorandum of understanding with the BC mining industry, for the South Chilcotin Mountains Park. The purpose was to prove the economic value of tourism in the South Chilcotin Mountains and to show that the highest and best use of the area was for wilderness tourism. Some adjustments were made to the park boundary for the mining industry where mining values were present. BCTMO Conservation Club led the process in writing the first 20-page draft for the Park Management Plan in 2012. The area became a provincial park in 2016.

BCTMO Conservation Club’s input on the new management plans has ensured that the South Chilcotin Mountains Provincial Park will remain natural and properly managed long into the future. The Evergreen Land Plans are summarized below:

Evergreen Land Plans for Lillooet TSA

The Stewardship Plan (https://lillooet.stewardship.foundation/) represents guidelines for responsible and sustainable land and resource management. All management directions constructed in the Evergreen Stewardship Plan are made based on government data from one or more of the following sources:

Published policies from government
Government sponsored or supported scientific research
Traditional Knowledge from wildlife practitioners
Direction from past Land and Resource Management Plans

Evergreen Land Plans for South Chilcotin TSA

The Stewardship Plan (https://south-chilcotin.stewardship.foundation/) represents guidelines for responsible and sustainable land and resource management. All management directions constructed in the Evergreen Stewardship Plan are made based on government data from one or more of the following sources:

Published policies from government
Government sponsored or supported scientific research
Traditional Knowledge from wildlife practitioners
Direction from past Land and Resource Management Plans

Resource management

BCTMO Conservation Club actively participates in management plans of the area, and undertakes a number of scientific research projects. Areas of resource management that we are involved in are:

Wildlife Management
Forestry Management
Park Management
Range Management
Watershed Management

On the ground stewardship

BCTMO Conservation Club invests in stewardship. The stewardship of nature is more than an activity; it is a responsibility which improves our lives. Stewardship is woven into every hunt whether ranch or wilderness camp based due to the nature of the business. Here are some of the projects we have completed or that are ongoing in the Chilcotin Ark, some in collaboration with universities, government authorities and other land users:

Wildlife DNA collection program

The Wildlife DNA collection program, sponsored by the Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia, is a comprehensive study designed to track the health and size of wildlife populations in British Columbia. On every hunt trip, we collect wildlife DNA samples to contribute to GOABC’s DNA database. Through our active contribution to this program, BCTMO Conservation Club helps ensure that all of British Columbia continues to focus on sustainable, responsible resource management.

Grizzly bear research

As we travel through the backcountry, we collect grizzly bear hair samples from their territory marker rub trees. Through DNA analysis of these samples, scientists can determine important data like the bears’ movement, maps of their home ranges, and population trends. The data from this research allows biologists to make conscientious resource management decisions that will promote the health of our grizzly bear population.

Mountain goat population studies

In the Chilcotin Ark there is one of the healthiest mountain goat populations in British Columbia, thanks in large part to our solid working relationships with wildlife biologists. Through our combined efforts, we complete annual mountain goat population surveys. This allows us to track population statistics and identify home ranges of family units. As we monitor the impact of activities in the territory, we act on this information to protect the habitat of our mountain goat population.

California Bighorn sheep studies

There are approximately 1300 California Bighorn sheep in the Lillooet Timber Supply Area. The limiting factor to the survival of this species is the availability of prime wintering and lambing ranges, which are usually in shorter supply than summer ranges. We are currently promoting two studies that aim to ensure quality habitat for this species: coordination of the actions and management of 2 different regions to get accurate population numbers for each group, of rams, ewes and lambs, as well as yearly lamb survival, migration patterns, winter ranges, summer ranges and predator impact; and enhancement of California Bighorn Sheep habitat by limiting motorized vehicle access to alpine areas. We provided funds for a helicopter-based capture and release collaring project.

Motor vehicle restrictions

We supported the regulations for motor vehicle closure in alpine and sub-alpine areas (all areas above 1500-metre elevation) for two mountain ranges in the Chilcotin Ark, which were achieved. Extensive motorized recreation has led to mountain goat and California Bighorn sheep displacement in over one-third of their summer range on these mountain ranges. We also support the plan to limit motorized vehicles in low country areas that will have environmental damage, wildlife displacement, user conflicts or safety issues.

Evaluation of Rocky Mountain or Roosevelt elk habitat and population

Elk is a native species to the Chilcotin Ark, but disease, severe winters and predation reduced their number until they were believed to be extinct in parts of the southeast Chilcotin Ark. This project identifies and evaluates the potential elk habitat in this area for Roosevelt or Rocky Mountain elk, to re-establish a self-sustainable elk population through a transplant.

Rehabilitation of migratory birds' wetland in the southeast Chilcotin Ark

The project aims to address habitat degradation and loss of waterfowl population in a water reservoir in the Chilcotin Ark. By enhancing and rehabilitating this area we hope to restore the vital wetland habitats for a number of waterfowl species, and re-establish the natural diversity in the area. The continued surveillance and management of the water level and quality in the reservoir will ensure the effective conservation of the habitat.

Heli-Ski management plan

BCTMO Conservation Club was involved in the cancellation of heli-ski runs on several mountain ranges in the Chilcotin Ark to reduce the displacement of mountain goats and California Bighorn sheep. Flight was further restricted to stay away from mountain goat winter ranges and reduce risk of displacement.

Scoping and creation of Development Strategy for the Chilcotin Ark

To protect the Chilcotin Ark, maintain a sustainable land management and establish the working landscape concept, a scoping of goals and objectives for a development strategy has to take place. An important part of the strategy development process is stakeholder education and involvement.

Ungulate enhancement through predator management

Predators play a crucial role in shaping ungulate populations. Predators often target the weak, sick, or old, strengthening the overall health of the herd. However, when predator numbers increase, they can put unsustainable pressure on ungulate populations, potentially leading to localized declines. This can also influence herd behaviour, habitat use, and even the genetic makeup of prey species over time.

Wolves and cougars eat one animal a week year round. They especially target ungulates in their restricted winter ranges. Winter ranges are limited areas where food sources remain accessible beneath the snow, so ungulates concentrate in these areas. The skilled predators take advantage of the ungulates’ concentrated numbers and reduced mobility in the snow or on ice, putting high pressure on the ungulate species.
In the spring time, black bears prey on vulnerable newborn ungulates, eating one newborn ungulate a day over a two week period . These opportunistic omnivores, emerging from their winter dens with depleted fat reserves, often turn to newborn ungulates as an easily accessible and nutrient-rich food source.

To maintain a healthy balance between ungulates and their natural predators, our ungulate enhancement hunts play a crucial role. By engaging in ungulate enhancement hunts, our hunters become active stewards of the land and its wildlife. These carefully managed hunts regulate predator numbers and boost ungulate survival rates. Our ungulate enhancement hunts also provide valuable data for ongoing research, as harvested animals are studied to gain insights into predator health, diet, and behaviour. This information feeds back into continual improvement of our conservation and management strategies.

It’s important to note that predator management through hunting is just one component of our comprehensive approach to ungulate conservation. Habitat conservation and enhancement, migration corridor protection, and disease management are equally crucial elements in ensuring the long-term survival of ungulates.

Scoping and creation of Park and Protected Area Management Plans

Several parks and protected areas are located in the Chilcotin Ark. Every area needs an individual plan as ecology, land use and other factors are not comparable and differentiate from park to park. Values and roles, management direction and plan implementation have to be formulated in an individual park management plan to ensure and communicate these for government, industry, tourism operators, recreational users and all other stakeholders.

Chilcotin Ark projects