pve d PAGE 8 NORTHWEST FOREST DIGEST - MARCH 25, 1998 trots Reclaiming the soil plants with native SMITHERS -— _ Drive ong a northern logging ‘oad in early fall and the fitches are lustrous with the rolde#’ tones of ripened rrassed. These and the seed pods fa variety of flowers com- rine gh¥a gently hued picture of nature reclaimingetie:cx- vosed soil. What*is wrong... vith this picture, however, s that it is mote, appropriate o the hayfields. of northern iurope than the roadsidés of rorthem B.C... t+ The goal of a research woject currently underway n the Skeena-Bulkley tegion is 10 change the de- yvendence on European grass nixes in roadside and land- ng reclamation. Dr. Phil §urton and his wife Carta yperate Symbios Research nd Restoration in Smithers, ‘orest Renewal BC is fund- ng their five-year. research roject, which is developing ative prass and legume nixtures for ,use in re- ‘epetating forest.” roads, andings and other ‘areas vhere the soil has been dis- urbed, 4 “Occasionally forest com- vanies do have access to na- ive seed, but it is just too xpensive,'’ Carla said. ‘We're trying to provide an ffordable alternative.’’ native seed is expensive ecause it must be sought aut in the wild and gathered y hand, Yet it is preferable > non-native seed as a yeans of maintaining iodiversity. The Burtons ope to develop - mixtures rat can be cultivated, har- ested and sold commercial- ¢ while still maintaining i Afive year rese. arch project, A Forest Renewal BC - funded research project is attempting to change the dependence on European grass mixes in roadside and tanding reclamation. Photo credit: Forest Renewal BC genetic diversity. At one of ihe siles, lush bunches of blue wildrye wave in the warm breeze while wo employees weed steadily. A total of 12 staff were employed during the summer, including 10 stu- dents. Currently the project is in its second year, and the researchers are starting [o see some promising data from their test plots. funded by Forest Renewal BC, is testing native grass mixtures for use in revegetating areas where soil has been disturbed. Phote credit: Forest Renewal BC The wildrye and a large patch of common yatrow are growing well in the seed production plots and look like good candidates for the mix, said Phil, a plant ecologist. Yarrow ferminates quickly,’ -he, said, pointing out that this means the plant could be useful for rapid erosion control. ‘‘Lupines enrich the soil because they are nilrogen fixers, but they are slow lo germinate,”” He cautioned that more thorough testing and field (rials must be conducted be- fore any sced can be consid- ered for commercial use. “Some species thal are easy to collect, clean and propagate in the green house don’t always do well in the field,”* , In fact, Carla said determination of the species suitable for a mixture won't be done until year four of the project. Commercial production of a native seed mixture is still several years away, but this research could have a pay- off for local farmers who would like to get into seed production, “Native seed production could be ideal for people with: laid. ihat-is marginal for farming,’ Phil said. “It's a way for those people to make some money off their land.”’ vote . oe oot Forestry Continuing | Studies Network The field season is almost here! Asampling of the 1998 Spring Delivery: * Bridge and Culvert Maintenance - April 14 - (5 in Smithers * Pesticide Applicator’s Certificate Course - April 15 - 17 in Smithers Forestry Non-Broadcast and Noxious Weeds + Management of Landslide Prone Terrain - April 16 in Smithers and April 21 in Terrace » Forest Road Deactivation - April 14,16,27,29,? - 10 pm, and May 16, 8am = 4 pm in Smithers . » Forestry from the Ground Up - April 28, 30, May 5, 7, evenings; and May 9, 8 am - 12 pm in Smithers <*: * Basic Silviculture Surveys - May 19-21 in Terrace : June 10-12 in Houston » Ruot Disease Management - June 3-4 in Houston Other courses to be scheduled for this spring: * Biopeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification + Soil Conservation + Microstation ree : We provide specialized training for yoursspécifie needs. Call us for more.information. Carmen Wheatley, RPF or ‘Phone: 250-847-8833" Northwest Delivery Centre Fax: - 250-847-3537 . we Northwest Community Colleze AS E-mail: cwheat(@mail buikley.net >: - Box 3606 cot ; a Smithers, BC : at at Kispiox Forest Products Lid. Box 215, New Hazelton, B.C., VOJ 2J0 Phone (250) 842-6851 Fax (250) 842-6970 / Gommitted to sustaining our forest resources / Conducting our forestry and timber harvesting operations in compliance with the. Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Boot / Utilizing our timber resource efficiently in the production of wood products of the highest quality and value possible. / Contributing positively to our community TYMOSCHUK AGENCIES LTD. WHOLESALE MARKETING All Regular Services: Monday-Friday 2 a.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. HT Lubricants / Motor Oil Bulk Fuel Delivery Enviro Tanks PETRO CANADA ° 24 HourGas & Diese! Cardiock System Terrace Tel: 635-2066 Terrace Fax: 635-3453 Smithers Tel: 847-2522 4043 Railway Smithers, B.C. 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