Wildlife in the Community Forest
Wildlife play crucial roles in maintaining the balance and function of forest ecosystems and the health of wildlife populations often reflects the overall health of an ecosystem. These wildlife studies inform our planning in alignment with ecosystem based management.
Northern Goshawk: 2023 Assessments in Halfmoon Bay and East Wilson Tenure areas of Sunshine Coast Community Forest
This field assessment conducted on July 7th and 8th, 2023, by Anna Yuill and Laurie Kremsater covered Halfmoon Bay and Wilson Creek tenure areas.
It involved 44 survey stations accessed by 4x4 and on foot, but no nests or detections were found. A lone pluck site was seen in Halfmoon Bay with an unknown species responsible.
Plan for Species at Risk 2014: A Five-Year Plan for Species at Risk in BC
British Columbia is world-renowned for its spectacular natural diversity. British Columbians value this natural diversity, and the social, economic and cultural benefits that it provides. As B.C. strives to maintain both a healthy environment and a thriving economy, some species are in need of special attention.
This plan is government’s vision and commitment to ensuring that the needs
of species at risk are considered as B.C. pursues its economic and social priorities. It sets out those actions that government plans to undertake over the next five years to improve our approach to management of species at risk in the province. What government does is only part of the solution. Together all British Columbians need to challenge ourselves to think about what we can do to protect and recover species at risk.
Roosevelt Elk Management Plan 2015
Roosevelt elk play a vital role in BC's coastal ecosystems, supporting biodiversity, culture, and economic activities. This plan outlines management goals for 2015-2025, focusing on increasing the elk population, expanding their range, and addressing conservation concerns.
The plan includes objectives like maintaining populations, re-establishing elk in suitable areas, and mitigating conflicts with various sectors. Specific strategies will be developed based on local conditions and in consultation with First Nations and stakeholders to meet these objectives.
2007-2016 Elk Recovery Project
From 1986 to 1987, Roosevelt elk were moved from Vancouver Island to the Sunshine Coast to restore biodiversity. In 2000, the Lower Mainland Roosevelt Elk Recovery Project (LMRERP) began managing the herd. The goal is to relocate these elk to re-establish their populations in less developed and more suitable habitats across the south coast region. LMRERP has completed over 70 translocations of elk from source populations on the Sechelt Peninsula and Powell River to 25 Population Units in Region 2, with funding from various organizations.
Since 2000, over 500 elk have been successfully moved to the South Coast, helping re-establish most elk populations and reducing conflicts. Ongoing monitoring shows these herds are stable or increasing. The estimated total elk count now exceeds 1600, and hunting is happening or planned in many areas. There's also growing evidence of elk predation by cougars, wolves, and grizzly bears in various regions.
