Species at Risk Training

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Species at Risk Training Babine Business
Area Updated 2013 by BCTS Staff
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Purpose

• The purpose of this document is to provide basic
  information for each of the species at risk
  identified in the Bulkley, Morice, and Lakes
  Timber Supply Areas (TSA) within the BCTS, Babine
  Business Area.
• Species selection is based on the information
  provided by the Ministry of Environments BC
  Species and Ecosystems Explorer search engine
  which can be found _at_ http//a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/esw
  p/
• The MoEs Explorer uses the following
  data-sharing sites to verify the status of each
  species
• Provincial status, which is based on the
  NatureServe Explorer _at_ http//www.natureserve.or
  g/visitLocal/index.jsp
• BC List, which is based on the British Columbia
  Conservation Data Center (CDC) _at_
  http//www.env.gov.bc.ca/cdc/
• COSEWIC (federal) Committee On the Status of
  Endangered Species In Canada
• SARA (federal) Species At Risk Act _at_
  http//www.sararegistry.gc.ca/
• Global (International) Conservation Status, which
  is also based on the NatureServe Explorer
• The Explorer is capable of running several
  different queries based on specific criteria such
  as plant vs. animal, geographic location,
  Conservation Status, Legal Designation, etc. The
  Explorer is useful in many ways but should be
  used only as a guide with some of the data being
  either out-of-date or inaccurate. Be sure to
  cross-reference certain information to confirm
  its validity.
• The MoEs Explorer, which is managed by the
  BC Conservation Data Center (CDC), is the number
  one source for identifying species at risk in BC.
  The CDCs goal is to assist in preserving the
  biodiversity of the province by providing
  accurate information on species and ecological
  communities at risk. Each of these species and
  ecological communities is a assigned a global and
  provincial status ranking according to a set of
  criteria established by the Nature Conservancy
  (United States). Provincially, each species is
  placed on either a Red, Blue, or Yellow list, as
  per the Provincial Conservation Status Rank.
• Red includes any indigenous species,
  subspecies or ecological community that is
  Extirpated, Endangered, or Threatened
• Blue includes any indigenous species,
  subspecies or ecological community considered to
  be Vulnerable ( Special Concern)
• Yellow list of ecological communities and
  indigenous species that are not at risk, some of
  which have management requirements.

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Federal Level

• Species at Risk can be identified at both the
  federal and provincial level.
• At the federal level, the following data-sharing
  sites are used
• Committee On the Status of Endangered Wildlife In
  Canada (COSEWIC) - managed by Environment
  Canada committee of experts that assess and
  designate which wildlife species are in some form
  of danger uses the best available information
  relevant to determine a wildlife species risk of
  extinction or extirpation, which is obtained from
  a credible source as a result, develops the
  prioritized COSEWIC Candidate List
  http//www.cosewic.gc.ca/eng/sct5/index_e.cfm
• Species at Risk Act (SARA) federal government
  commitment to prevent wildlife species from
  becoming extinct and secure the necessary actions
  for their recovery species designated by COSEWIC
  may qualify for legal protection and recovery
  under SARA manages the Species at Risk Public
  Registry which is an online service accessible
  to the public the Species at Risk Act is
  available through this website _at_
  http//www.sararegistry.gc.ca/default_e.cfm
• NatureServeCanada non-profit organization
  provides scientific basis for effective
  conservation action includes network of natural
  heritage programs or data centers operating in
  the U.S., Canada, and central America collect
  and manage data which is used by both the public
  and private sectors globally http//www.natureser
  ve-canada.ca/

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Provincial Level

• At the provincial level, the following
  provincial data-sharing sites are used
• BC Conservation Data Centre (CDC) - established
  in 1991 managed by BC Ministry of Environment
  collects and distributes information on species
  and ecosystems at risk in BC manages the BC
  Species and Ecosystems Explorer search tool
  http//www.env.gov.bc.ca/cdc/
• Identified Wildlife Management Strategy (IWMS)
  initiative of the MoE in partnership with FLNRO
  carried out under the Forest and Range Practices
  Act (FRPA) document was originally released in
  1999 new volume released in May 2004 in 2006,
  45 species were added to the list as of August
  2012, MoE staff are actively pursuing completing
  designations for the existing 82 species
  webisite _at_ http//www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/frpa/iwms/
  index.html
• Ungulate Winter Range (UWR) an area that
  contains habitat that is necessary to meet the
  winter habitat requirements of an ungulate
  species based on interpretations by MoE staff
  using current scientific and management
  literature, local knowledge, and other expertise
  from the region regulatory authority for
  establishing UWRs is outlined in Sections 9 and
  12 of the Government Actions Regulation (GAR) of
  the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA)
  approved UWRs are found _at_ http//www.env.gov.bc.ca
  /wld/frpa/uwr/approved_uwr.html
• Wildlife Act managed provincially legislative
  foundation for the interaction of people and
  wildlife in BC allows for conservation and
  management of wildlife populations and habitat,
  issuing licenses and permits for fishing game
  hunting and trapping guidelines for safe angling
  and trapping and outfitting policies website _at_
  http//www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/docume
  nt/ID/freeside/00_96488_01

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Provincial Level

• Provincial sites continued.
• Conservation Framework managed provincially by
  MoE provides a set of decision support tools to
  enable collaboration between government and
  non-government resource managers and
  practitioners using clearly defined criteria to
  1) prioritize species and ecosystems for
  conservation, and 2) determine the most
  appropriate and effective management actions
  http//www.env.gov.bc.ca/conservationframework/
• Hectares BC - pilot project to test the concept
  of a new tool for geospatial data analysis in the
  natural resource sector allows non-GIS users to
  work with geographic information without the need
  for GIS skills assists in planning, assessment,
  reporting, and decision making functions
  http//www.hectaresbc.org22080/app/habc/HaBC.html
  

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Additional Reference Material

• Additional reference material that can be used
  to obtain information on SAR include
• The Fish Protection Act focuses on four major
  objectives ensuring sufficient water for fish,
  protecting and restoring fish habitat, improved
  riparian protection and enhancement, and stronger
  local government powers in environmental
  planning website found _at_ http//www.env.gov.bc.ca
  /habitat/fish_protection_act/first
• Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) govern
  the activities of forest and range licensees in
  BC sets the requirements for planning, road
  building, logging, reforestation, and grazing
  maintains high levels of protection for forest
  values including watersheds and wildlife habitat
  encourages innovation by skilled resource
  professionals and holds industry responsible for
  outcomes includes Forest Stewardship Plans (FSP)
• The Natural Resource Compliance Act introduced
  in Fall 2011, authorizes ministry personnel to
  enforce a broader range of legislation (as
  described above) across the natural resource
  sector helps streamline the inspection process
  and enforcement procedures.
• Land and Resource Management Plans (LRMP)
  directs the management of provincial Crown land
  in the Plan Area for the next ten years provides
  direction in terms of maintaining and protecting
  resources within a designated land-use area
  consistent with provincial government policy
  reflects the Consensus Management Direction (CMD)
  established by the Bulkley Valley Community
  Resources Board (the Board) and a team of
  government representatives, and in consultation
  with First Nations and local government.

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Species Listings Amphibians Fish
Species Latin District COSEWIC BC CDC SARA UWR LRMP
Amphibians Amphibians Amphibians Amphibians Amphibians Amphibians Amphibians Amphibians
Coastal Tailed Frog Ascaphus truei Both Special Concern (2011) Blue Yes N/A No
Western Toad Anaxyrus boreas Both Special Concern (2002) Blue No N/A No
Fish Fish Fish Fish Fish Fish Fish Fish
Bull Trout Salvelinus confluentus Both Candidate (2011) Blue Yes N/A Yes Morice
Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii Both N/A Blue Yes N/A No
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Coastal Tailed Frog

• Identification
• Tadpoles have large sucker-like mouth and
  white-tipped tail.
• 2-5 cm long from nose to rump with a large head
  and long legs.
• Skin has a grainy appearance, ranging in color
  from tan to brown to olive green.
• Eyes have vertical pupils.
• External tympanum (the round ear visible on
  other frogs) is absent.
• Males have a tail which is the same colour and
  texture as the frogs back.
• Eggs are colourless and laid in a string.
• Habitat
• Characterized by year-round flow, non
  fish-bearing, intermediate
• gradient (gt2.5), coarse substrates (gt6 cm),
  stable channel beds, wind-firm
• stands, and frequent side-pools.
• Known to occur in the area immediately west of
  the Copper
• Forest Development Unit in the Bulkley TSA.
• Growth/Mating
• Grow very slowly, taking up to four years for the
  tadpoles to metamorphose into adults.
• Possible to live for 15-20 years, making them one
  of the longest-lived frogs in the world.
• Mating takes place in the fall egg-laying the
  following summer hatchlings overwinter in the
  calmer waters and then move to the stronger
  current once their oral suckers have developed to
  let them cling to rocks.
• Decline

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Western Toad

• Identification
• Adults range in length from 5-15 cm.
• Their skin appears dry and bumpy, ranging in
  colour from pale green to red.
• They typically have pale-coloured bellies mottled
  with black, and a pale stripe down their back.
• Their gold-flecked eyes have distinctive
  horizontal pupils.
• Behind each eye is a parotoid gland
  (kindey-shaped swelling).
• Tadpoles are either black or charcoal coloured
  with a dark, rounded fin along the length of
  their tail.
• Juveniles are similar to adults but as small as
  6mm long
• Eggs look like small black pearls laid
  single-file in the form of long strips
  individual eggs are black above and white below.
• Generally if you run into a toad in the bush,
  its a Western Toad.

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Western Toad

• Habitat
• Preferred breeding sites include permanent or
  temporary water bodies that have shallow sandy
  bottoms.
• After breeding, adults disperse into terrestrial
  habitats such as forests and grasslands.
• Prefer damp conditions, spending much of their
  time
• underground (capable of digging their own
  burrows in loose soil).
• They generally shelter in small mammal burrows,
  beneath logs, and within rock crevices.
• Hibernate in burrows that are below the frostline
  (up to 1.3 m underground.
• Growth/Mating
• Adults migrate to communal breeding sites in
  early spring
• The eggs develop quickly into tadpoles which
  hatch in the
• warmest, shallowest water.
• By the end of summer, the tadpoles transform into
  toadlets and
• leave the water.
• Decline
• Harvesting activities in and around wetlands can
  destroy or isolate
• populations
• Migrating toads are killed by traffic on roads
• Pollution from gas, oil and anti-freeze spills
  are considered a threat.

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Bull Trout

• Identification
• Long body (20-60cm) with enlarged head and jaws
  similar to dolly varden but bull trouts upper
  jaw curves downward, and the head is
  significantly larger and broader.
• Non-spawning colour is olive-green to bluish-grey
  with a white belly spots cover the silvery
  sides
• When in spawning condition, the pigmentation on
  the belly becomes bright red and lower jaw
  becomes distinctly hooked upwards.
• Habitat
• Cool, fast-flowing water with a good mix of
  riffles and pools.
• Coldwater tributaries with deep lakes lt15 degrees
  celsius are preferred.
• Streambeds with a wide range of medium to large
  coarse substrates are preferred.
• Large woody debris accumulations preferred.
• Adept at colonizing small, steep-gradient
  step-pool systems (gt20 gradient in some cases).

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Bull Trout

• Decline
• General trend for bull trout is stable to
  diminishing.
• Fragmentation of populations through road
  building and timber removal near their habitat.
• Obstructions to bull trout movement include
  perched culverts, stream channel instability,
  increasing water temperatures, sedimentation,
  debris loading and lack of cover.
• Increased poaching and non-compliance with
  conservative regulations due to remote regions
  being developed.
• Increased road building resulting in increased
  angling pressure.

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Cutthroat Trout clarkii clarkii ssp.

• Identification
• Distinctive red, pink or orange stripe just below
  both sides of the lower jaw (where the name
  cutthroat originates from).
• Generally dark green to greenish-blue on back
  olive-green on upper flank silvery on lower
  flank and belly.
• Gill covers are pinkish.
• Large mouth extends well past the eye
• Small irregular-shaped spots cover the head,
  sides of the body, dorsal fin, and often the
  belly and fins.
• Sexually mature fish have a rose tint underneath
• Sea-run individuals are silvery sometimes their
  bellies have a distinct lemon-colour, while
  freshwater fish are usually darker, with a
  coppery or brassy sheen
• Generally lt50cm long.

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Cutthroat Trout clarkii ssp.

• Habitat
• Known to occur in the headwaters of the Skeena
  River.
• Freshwater habitats include lowland streams,
  rivers and lakes with gravelly substrates.
• Small, clean, low-gradient streams are needed for
  spawning (young cutthroat spend up to three years
  rearing in these streams).
• Well-shaded streams with water temperatures lt18
  degrees celsius.
• Some resident trout spend their entire life in a
  one small pool.
• Inhabit remote waters in mountainous terrain.
• Spawning usually occurs in the spring but fall
  spawning is possible.

• Decline
• Their dependence on small streams for spawning
  and rearing makes them especially vulnerable as
  small streams can be easily altered or destroyed
  by development.
• Removing streamside vegetation and timber can
  increase the water temperature making the stream
  inhospitable for the fish.
• Road building activities can lead to
  sedimentation (destroys eggs) and fragmentation.
• Poorly placed culverts can prevent fish passage.
• Harvesting strategies that reduce LWD input rates
  can lead to long-term reduction in habitat
  capacity as LWD in the channel decomposes without
  replacement.

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Species Listings - Birds
Species Latin District COSEWIC BC CDC SARA UWR LRMP
American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus Both No Blue No N/A No
Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias Both Special Concern Blue No N/A No
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis Both No Yellow No N/A Yes (Morice)
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus anatum Nadina Special Concern Red Threatened N/A No
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus Both Special Concern Blue Special Concern N/A No
Swainsons Hawk Buteo swainsoni Skeena-Stikine No Red No N/A No
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American Bittern

• Identification
• Length 60 cm wingspan 110 cm.
• Yellowish-brown bird with brown streaking on the
  neck and breast.
• Black stripe borders white throat and yellow
  bill.
• Legs and feet are yellowish-green.
• Similar appearance to immature Black-crowned
  Night-Heron, which lack the brown streaking and
  black stripe on their neck.
• Field Identification
• Platform nest, 30 cm in diameter, built on mud or
  stable waters in emergent vegetation.
• Prefer marshes and wetlands with thick, extensive
  stands of bulrushes, cattails or sedges.
• Arrive in early May and migrate south in the
  fall.
• Breeding season extends from May to mid-August.
• Eggs (usually 4-5) are laid in May through to
  July.
• Diet includes small mammals, garter snakes, and
  voles when available (sufficient CWD).
• Easily identified by its low, booming call,
  pump-er-lunk, pump-er-lunk, that can be heard
  hundred of meters away.

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American Bittern

• Habitats
• Intimately tied to wetlands throughout the year.
• Cattail marshes are the preferred habitat
  throughout its range, particularly during
  breeding season.
• Sloughs, flooded fields with tall grass, lake
  edges, riparian willow thickets, swamps,
  riverbanks, sewage ponds, and occasionally
  agricultural fields.
• Breeding birds typically inhabit large wetlands
  (gt4 ha).
• Known to forage in areas immediately adjacent to
  wetlands.
• Decline
• This species is sensitive to the extent and
  condition of wetland
• habitats and, as a result, is placed on the
  provincial blue list
• despite the species being relatively stable in
  Canada.

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Great Blue Heron

• Identification
• Measures up to 60 cm in height with the neck
  relaxed, and up to 140 cm with the neck extended.
• Wingspan averaging 1.5 m wide.
• Blue-grey body with white head and black stripe
  above the eye.
• The neck is mainly white with black streaks.
• Bill is long and yellowish.
• Immature herons are similar to the adults but
  have a black head instead of white.
• Holds head in an S curve when in flight.

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Great Blue Heron

• Habitat
• Large, stick nests (platform) up to one meter in
  diameter, lined with twigs, bark and/or rushes.
• Nests are located 4-70 m high in mature trees
  adjacent to foraging/breeding grounds.
• Field Identification
• Occurs year-round on the Pacific Coast and
  occasionally inland to the Bulkley Valley.
• Colonies range in size from 2-400 nests with some
  pairs nesting solitarily.
• Foraging grounds include aquatic habitats such as
  wetlands, riverbanks and lakeshores.

• Decline
• Forestry can impact heron habitat through the
  removal of active or potential nest trees.
• Forest fragmentation can lead to windfall and may
  increase access to, or visibility of, breeding
  colonies for predators, thereby reducing the
  amount of suitable breeding habitat.

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Northern Goshawk

• Identification
• Approximately 50-70 cm tall 1.1 m wide wingspan.
• Blue-grey dorsal plumage with grey streaking
  (mottling) on the chest and belly.
• Tail is dark-colored, long and narrow.
• Short, rounded wings which allow for easy travel
  through interior forests.
• The most noticeable feature is a white stripe
  over a yellow or red eye.

• Juveniles are brown instead of grey and have a
  yellow eye.
• Coopers Hawk is similar looking but mostly brown
  and lacking the white stripe above the eye.

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Northern Goshawk

• Field Identification
• Large stick nests (platform) approximately one
  meter in diameter and 0.4 m deep usually built
  on lateral branches against the tree trunk in the
  lower portion of the main canopy.
• Avoid building nests within 100-200 m of a forest
  edge.
• Habitats
• Mature coniferous, deciduous, or mixed stands
  that are even-aged with a closed canopy and open
  understory (to allow for easy flying)
• Prefer stands with thick-limbed trees whose
  branches are positioned on the lower portion of
  the bole.
• Require relatively large tracts of contiguous
  forested stands.
• Decline
• Forest fragmentation through the reduction of
  mature forest is considered the biggest threat.
• Road building and increased use by
  recreationalists and hunters can lead to nest
  abandonment.
• Competition from more open-country species, such
  as Red-tailed Hawks, in response to logging.
• Reduction in prey base due to loss of their
  habitat and stand structural diversity.

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Peregrine Falcon

• Identification
• Crow size, 41-50 cm tall wingspan up to 1.0 m
  wide.
• Distinctive black head with wide sideburns.
• Adults are dark grey above with light-colored
  barring below.
• Juveniles are similar looking but brown-coloured.
  
• Dark, narrow tail and tapered wings.
• Prairie Falcon is similar in appearance but
  sandy-coloured instead of grey-coloured with a
  white stripe over the eye.
• Field Identification
• Nests are simple scrapes that range from 17-22 cm
  in diameter and 3-5 cm deep no nest material is
  added, but debris may accumulate around the
  scrape.
• Occasionally, peregrines will occupy abandoned
  bird nests (e.g. other raptors or cliff nesting
  birds).
• Usually nest on rock ledges high on steep cliffs,
  mostly in undisturbed or inaccessible areas.
• Eggs are laid in a scrape on a part of the
  ledge that is sheltered by a rock overhang.

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Peregrine Falcon

• Habitats
• Prefers open habitats such as wetlands,
  agricultural land and clearcuts but will also
  hunt over open forest.
• Directly linked to the availability of prey.
• Decline
• Loss of wetland and agricultural land threatens
  prey supply.
• Harvesting activities near nesting or foraging
  sites can lead to abandonment.
• Increased road access allows poachers to steal
  eggs or chicks or install
• traps for catching adults.

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Short-eared Owl

• Identification
• Crow size, 30-40 cm in height, 85-110 cm
  wingspan.
• Plumage is mottled tawny to brown with a barred
  tail and wings.
• Dark areas (like mascara) surrounding yellow
  eyes.
• Very round facial disk.
• Chest is light-coloured with brown spots/stripes.
  
• Ear tufts may or may not be visible.
• Bill is short, strong, hooked and black.
• Black patch near bend in wings (wrist).
• Field Identification
• Known to use nests or holes abandoned by other
  birds.
• Nests are concealed by low vegetation, and may be
  lightly lined by weeds, grass, or feathers.
• Approximately 4-14 white eggs are typical.
• Usually seen just before dark in open habitats.
• Habitat
• Generally found in clearcuts where there is
  enough Coarse Woody Debris to support a healthy
  population of rodents and small mammals.

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Short-eared Owl

• Decline
• Reproductive success is low due to predation.
• Fragmentation of their habitat results in lower
  population numbers, which can be exacerbated by
  severe winters.
• Vole species, a primary prey species, are also
  susceptible to harvesting activities.
• As a ground nesting species, hazards such as
  grass fires, flooding, and road development can
  easily destroy their nests.

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Swainsons Hawk

• Identification
• Approximately 45 cm in length wingspan averaging
  120-140 cm.
• Easily identified by dark chest-band or bib.
• Generally a dark-brown bird with white chest and
  face.
• Field Identification
• Nests are 1.0 m across and built out of twigs and
  grasses.
• Typically nests in isolated trees or bushes and
  sometimes cliff edges.
• Nests are located from 9-15 feet above the
  ground, often in the shaded part of the tree.
• 2 white eggs with brown or purplish blotching.
• Vocal in spring makes distinctive oonk-a-lunk
  call

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Swainsons Hawk

• Habitats
• Known breeder in the Bulkley River basin.
• Nest sites include forested habitat in close
  proximity to open (clearcuts) and semi-open
  country that support a sufficient supply of
  foraging opportunities including voles and mice.
• Generally adjacent to farmlands, grasslands, and
  wetlands to allow for hunting opportunities.
• Decline
• Declining populations due to nest destruction
  from harvesting activities.
• Birds are easily disturbed during the nesting
  phase, resulting in abandonment.

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Species Listings - Mammals
Species Latin District COSEWIC BC CDC SARA UWR LRMP
Northern Caribou Rangifer tarandus caribou Both Threatened Blue (2010) Special Concern Yes Yes M/L/B
Fisher Martes pennanti Both No Blue No N/A Yes Morice
Grizzly Bear Ursus arctos Both Special Concern Blue No N/A Yes M/L
Moose Alces americanus Both No Yellow No Yes Yes M/L/B
Mountain Goat Oreamnos americanus Both No Yellow No N/A Yes M/L
Wolverine Gulo gulo Both Special Concern Blue No N/A No
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Caribou

• Identification
• Medium sized ungulate with long legs shoulder
  height up to 1.6 m tall.
• Body color varies from chocolate-brown to a
  lighter shade of brown during the late winter
  months (dark guard hairs fall out).
• Neck, rump and underside of their tail are white.
  
• Their ears, tail and snout are short to minimize
  the loss of body heat.
• Both sexes have antlers, which are C-shaped.

• Field Identification
• Look for signs of use in forests with abundant
  lichens.
• Make a clicking sound with their feet when they
  walk.
• Rounded tracks often with the impression of large
  dew-claws just behind hooves same size as those
  of a moose but much more rounded.
• Droppings are black, irregular in shape, and
  about as wide and long as a thumb nail (deer are
  longer than they are wide).

30
Caribou

• Habitats
• Complex movement patterns dictated by snow depths
  and availability of lichens.
• During the late winter months, caribou congregate
  in open stands in the sub-alpine to feed on
  lichens.
• In spring, they move to open stands or exposed
  areas where conditions are snow-free.
• In summer, they move to exposed sites in the
  alpine or snow-free pine stands in the valley
  bottom.
• As snow builds up in early winter, they shift
  down slope where the snow depths are reduced.
• In mid to late winter, depending on snow depth,
  they are found either at high elevations on
  windswept slopes or at lower elevations in
  forested habitat
• Large patches of mature forest allow caribou to
  avoid predators.

• Decline
• Forest fragmentation interrupts their movement,
  forcing them to travel a greater distance to find
  food as well as attract ungulates species that
  feed in cutblocks which draws predators to the
  area.
• Removal of mature forest that support terrestrial
  and arboreal lichens, which are essential for
  winter survival.
• Increased road access resulting in an increased
  probability of poaching and predation from
  wolves.
• Man-made barriers restricting seasonal movements
  may adversely affect their access to food,
  thermal cover, and refuge.

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Caribou

• Management Strategies
• Maintain large tracts of habitat in a condition
  suitable for their needs this means managing
  harvesting operations from a landscape level to
  prevent a checkerboard of cutblocks and
  reserves.
• Attempt to mimic the natural disturbance pattern
  in old-growth forests by completing partial-cuts.
  
• Do not construct roads, trails or recreational
  sites in caribou habitat.
• Report caribou sightings or signs to the local
  Ministry.
• Obey access and recreation regulations, and
  report violations of these regulations.

32
Fisher

• Identification
• 80-120 cm long long, slender body.
• Long, bushy tail that comprises about one-third
  of their total body length.
• Dense, dark brown to black fur coat.
• White-tipped fur around the shoulders and back
  giving it a grizzled appearance.
• Pointed face, rounded ears, legs short with heavy
  claws for climbing and digging.
• Looks like a marten but two to three times
  bigger.
• Field Identification
• Track pattern hind foot overlaps with the
  front, resulting in twin paw prints one slightly
  ahead of the other prints are wider than long,
  6-7 cm wide in snow, claws visible.
• An agile climber, tracks may end abruptly at the
  base of a tree.
• Often den in larger diameter (gt90 cm in
  diameter), hollow cottonwood that are still
  alive underground dens also used.
• Use rust brooms for resting habitat.

33
Fisher

• Habitats
• Well-connected stands with an abundance of
  intact, structurally diverse mature forest
  components of coniferous and deciduous species
  (especially cottonwood).
• Fisher will utilize newer second growth forests
  where there is sufficient canopy cover,
  structural components and prey.
• Generally avoid areas with low canopy cover,
  including wetlands and recently harvested areas.
• Concerns
• Loss of forested habitat and critical features
  (dens) through harvesting activities is
  considered the biggest threat with fisher being
  forest-dependent.
• Increased road access through harvesting
  activities increases the potential for targeted
  and incidental trapping.
• Management Strategies
• Contact the BC CDC with updates on sightings or
  signs.
• Maintain large diameter spruce and cottonwood
  along riparian and riparian-associated areas.
• Increase awareness about the sensitivity of the
  Fisher to disturbance.
• Recommend partial cuts in known or suspected
  fisher habitat.

34
Grizzly Bear

• Identification
• Sturdy with prominent shoulder hump (muscle mass
  covered with long guard hairs).
• Massive head with upturned muzzle (dish-face
  profile).
• Short round ears and longer front claws.
• Shaggy coat, pale, yellowish brown to dark brown.
• Silvery white tipped hairs give a frosted effect.
• Field Identification
• Look for rub-marking trees, well-used paths with
  tracks and droppings, and bedding areas.
• Dens are generally found at high elevation with
  deep snowpacks on steep, north-facing slopes with
  soils suitable for digging seldom use the same
  den.
• Tracks include short, broad feet with five toes
  on both front and back feet up to 15 cm long
  claw imprint often difficult to see and well
  ahead of toe marks toe imprints are aligned.

35
Grizzly Bear

• Habitat
• Wide variety of forested and non-forested sites
  occurring in valley bottoms up to alpine meadows.
• Attracted to streams, seep areas, and lakeshore
  rich in succulent vegetation, salmon, and berry
  bushes.
• Generally avoid areas where human activity is
  consistent.
• Concerns
• Increased road access through harvesting
  activities can lead to better access for hunters
  and poachers, increased encounters with humans,
  and social disruption with other bears.
• Extensive soil disturbance as a result of
  harvesting and site prep activities can reduce
  berry productivity in clearcuts.
• Management Strategies
• Be aware of identified grizzly bear polygons and
  reference material.
• Ensure documents such as the LRMP and FSP are
  up-to-date with current research and are
  effective in maintaining local populations.
• Contact the BC CDC or your local ministry
  representative with any sightings or signs
  indicating grizzly activity.

36
Moose

• Identification
• Coat is dark brown to black.
• Horse-like face with humped nose.
• Bell of skin or hair under the throat.
• Large, overhanging upper lip.
• Long legs up to 2 m tall at the shoulder.
• Field identification
• Watch for tracks, scat, and beds along
  well-developed trails.
• Browsing of balsam understory and woody stemmed
  shrubs such as red-osier dogwood, willow species,
  and aspen
• Rub trees, usually balsam.
• Habitat
• Prefers mosaic of second-growth forest, openings,
  swamps, lakes, and wetlands.
• Requires riparian areas for foraging and
  deciduous forests for winter cover.
• Depth and duration of snow cover determine their
  seasonal movements.
• Avoid wolves in the winter by utilizing areas
  with deep snow packs.

37
Moose

• Concerns
• Removal of important foraging and wintering
  habitat through harvesting activities, as well as
  corridors which are vital in highly fragmented
  landscapes.
• Increased road use, resulting in easier access
  for hunters/poachers, as well as collisions and
  social disruption where the calf and mom are
  separated.
• Management Strategies
• Be aware of identified moose polygons in your
  area and any harvesting restrictions within the
  polygon.
• Contact BCTS upon discovery of high moose
  habitat take photos and GPS field indicators.
• Consult reference material such as the UWR and
  FSP for detailed management strategies.
• Discuss operational strategies with the
  development contractor to identify the best
  approach for maintaining important habitat.

38
Mountain Goat

• Identification
• Blunt, squareish-looking body with a narrow head.
• Shaggy, white coat.
• Distinctive beard , short tails, and
  well-developed shoulder muscles.
• Long black horns, 15-30 cm in length.
• Field Identification
• Hair, pellets, trails, and tracks (hoof prints).
• Tracks the toes spread giving the track a
  square shape with a V in front tends to drag
  its feet creating a trough between prints.
• Look for excavated snow down to the vegetative
  layer.
• Mineral licks are frequented by goats (and
  moose).
• Habitat
• Steep, exposed slopes capable of shedding snow
  and providing escape routes (slopes gt30 degrees)
  to prevent predation.
• Rely heavily on mineral licks during the winter
  and early spring generally found within 2 km of
  a lick.
• Remain at lower elevations during the spring and
  early summer to take advantage of the new
  vegetation and smaller snow pack - move to higher
  elevations as new growth emerges and snow melts.
• Mature and early (seral) forests are both used
  depending on the snow pack and foraging
  opportunities.

39
Mountain Goat

• Concerns
• The long-term impacts of forest canopy removal
  are of particular concern in relation to
  population viability, migration routes, travel
  corridors, use of and access to mineral licks,
  and habitat selection.
• Improve access through harvesting activities can
  lead to increased snowmobile activity as well as
  pressure from poachers.
• Newly constructed roads built in goat habitat can
  create movement barriers, resulting in the goats
  having to expend additional energy to move around
  them.
• Management Strategies
• Consult reference material such as the UWR and
  FSP for detailed management strategies.
• Be aware of identified goat polygons in your area
  and any harvesting restrictions within the
  polygon.
• Contact BCTS upon discovery of potential goat
  habitat take photos and provide an accurate
  location and description.

40
Wolverine

• Identification
• Largest member of the weasel family (80-130 cm
  long).
• Broad head, short neck, short legs, and large
  feet.
• Fur ranges from dark brown to sable with a
  light-coloured facial mask and throat patch.
• Two yellowish stripes extending from the
  shoulders to the rump.
• Fur is short on the head but lengthens along the
  body, ending in a bushy tail.

• Field Identification
• Semi-retractable claws curve inward the heel pad
  on the front foot often imprints resembling a
  thumb.
• Belly drag marks are evident in deep snow.
• Scat is dark in color, twisted at the ends, and
  long.
• Dens include the base of a hollow tree, snow
  tunnel, or boulder field.
• Excavated snow or dirt looking for buried kill.

41
Wolverine

• Habitats
• Preferred habitat is based on availability of
  prey, which include ungulates, small mammals,
  ground dwelling birds, and different types of
  fruit.
• Large range from valley bottoms to alpine
  meadows.
• Dens are associated with coarse wood debris, rock
  piles, deep snow cover, avalanche chutes,
  small-scale (lt100 m wide) forest openings, all of
  which are within proximity to a sufficient food
  source.

• Concerns
• Road building associated with harvesting
  activities may increase the potential for
  targeted and incidental trapping.
• Loss of important habitat and prey through
  harvesting activities.
• Sensitive to disturbance from motorized vehicles
  such as quads and snowmobiles.
• Direct mortality from increased traffic on roads.

42
Species Listings Invertebrates
Species Latin Forest District COSEWIC BC CDC SARA
Northern Tightcoil Pristiloma arcticum DSS No Blue No
Black-footed Tightcoil Pristiloma chersinella Both No Blue No
Beaverpond Baskettail Epitheca canis Both No Blue No
Plains Forktail Ischnura damula DSS No Red No
43
Snails

• Identification
• Northern Tightcoil (see top right and middle) -
  creamy-colored shell with a pinkish sheen shell
  is very glossy and smooth up to 3.5 mm wide.
• Black-footed Tightcoil (see bottom) - disc-shaped
  shell color is yellow-brown, translucent and
  tightly coiled up to 3.3 mm wide.
• Field Identification
• Northern Tightcoil - generally found on moist
  surfaces of green or decaying vegetation, rocks
  or wood usually grouped together.
• Black-footed Tightcoil found under rocks, dead
  wood, and moss, at elevations of 1100-1600 m, in
  forested types and openings
• Habitat
• Northern Tightcoil inhabit wetter areas, such
  as meadows, seeps, bogs and wetland edges known
  occurrences are in the Babines.
• Black-footed Tightcoil generally restricted to
  tree line (sub-alpine) or vegetated rockslides
  known occurrences are in the Babines.
• Concerns
• Harvesting activities and associated road
  building can potentially degrade their habitat by
  altering water patterns, decreasing water
  quality, spilling pollutants such as oils and
  soaps into riparian areas, removing the overstory
  which can dry out the forest floor.
• Heavy machinery can potentially chew up
  microhabitats such as old logs, leaf litter, and
  rocks.

44
Dragonflies

• Identification
• Beaverpond Baskettail (top right) eyes turn
  deep green with increasing age orange-yellow
  face with no T-spot on head dark abdomen with
  pale spots on the sides females fly with the end
  of the abdomen curled upwards (acts as a basket
  for carrying the eggs) 45 mm long.
• Plains Forktail (bottom right) - male has blue
  sides and a black top with two pairs of pale
  dots female is similiar to male but may have
  pale spots on top joined into stripes abdomen
  tip is blue 28 mm long.
• Field Identification
• Both species long, gelatinous strands of eggs
  floating near the surface females generally
  congregate when laying eggs presence of nymphs
  (see below damselfly far left, dragonfly on the
  right) in the water nymph phase can take up to
  four years to complete flight period is early
  May to mid-August in northern BC.
• Habitat
• Beaverpond Baskettail - pond or sluggish stream
  rich with aquatic vegetation in wooded areas
  water bodies with floating plants such as water
  lilies are preferred.
• Plains Forktail typically found in warm springs
  both artificial and natural non-heated lakes and
  ponds as well known occurrence in the Kispiox.

45
Dragonflies

• Concerns
• Road building can increase cattle activity which
  can destroy or pollute valuable habitat.
• Water temperatures can increase considerably
  through overstory removal.
• Streams can be diverted and the flow increased
  through poor harvesting techniques.
• Increased siltation in streams due to culvert or
  bridge installation.
• Destruction of small ponds as a result of poor
  layout Machine Free Zone or harvesting boundary
  not established resulting in machine traffic.

46
Species Listings Plants
Species Latin District COSEWIC BC CDC
Upswept moonwort Botrychium ascendens DSS No Red
Dainty moonwort Botrychium crenulatum DSS No Blue
Mountain moonwort Botrychium montanum DSS No Red
Back's sedge Carex backii Both No Blue
Montana Larkspur Delphinium bicolor ssp. bicolor Both No Blue
Small-fruited willowherb Epilobium leptocarpum DSS No Blue
Orange Touch-me-not Impatiens aurella DSS No Blue
Purple oniongrass Melica spectabilis DND No Blue
Whitebark pine Pinus albicaulis Both Endangered (2010) Blue
47
Moonworts

• Identification
• Type of fern up to 20 cm tall perennial with
  single, above-ground frond (leaf) the frond is
  10 cm tall, yellow-green, and divided into two
  segments which share a common stalk the most
  sterile segment is once pinnatifid (divided) with
  up to six pairs of ascending, narrowly triangular
  pinnae which have deeply lacerate margins bears
  grape-like sporangia (see top right and bottom
  left)
• Field Identification
• Elevation range is 640-1950 m found with red
  baneberry, ladyfern, horsetail, false lily of the
  valley, rattlesnake fern, little grapefern often
  grows alongside other moonwort species grows in
  surface gravel, moist decayed litter, and rocky
  soils.
• Habitat/Range
• Known to occur in the western portion of the
  Bulkley TSA.
• old-growth cedar-hemlock forest where there is
  seepage present.

48
Backs Sedge

• Identification
• Type of sedge up to 40 cm tall densely tufted
  grass-like plant from short, blackish fibrous
  roots leaf blades 2-4 per stem and deep-green
  coloration the clusters of flowers and fruits
  are completely concealed by leaf-like structures
  (scales)
• Field Identification
• The whole plant seems somewhat flattened upon
  arrival the best way to identify this plant is
  to look for the leafy scales at the tips of the
  leaves.
• Habitat/Range
• prefers moist to mesic grasslands and open
  coniferous forests, including pine plantations
  also in open calcareous forests representing
  relatively sparse canopy or early successional
  stage known occurrence in the SBS zone.

49
Montana Larkspur

• Identification
• Perennial herb from fibrous, many-branched roots
  stems erect 10-40 cm tall base often reddish
  leaves mostly on lower stem and glabrous to
  minutely-hairy dark blue or purple flower with
  white or pale-blue middle leaves 3- to 4- times
  dissected into linear segments the ultimate
  segments 3 to 19.
• Field Identification
• Toxic known to cause livestock poisoning very
  little information on this species.
• Habitat/Range
• Well-drained, mesic to sub-mesic sites with rocky
  soils grasslands and open, coniferous forests
  with rocky soils are preferred from mid to
  subalpine elevations.

50
Small-fruited Willowherb

• Identification
• Perennial herb from a taproot stems erect or
  decumbent at base (sweeping) 5-30 cm tall
  slender, simple or branched, often reddish
  fleshy winter bublets at the base leaves
  opposite, oblong or elliptic, finely toothed,
  hairy flower is whitish to pink, 1-4 mm long,
  hairy, stigmas (receptive tip that receives
  pollen) are broadly shaped.
• Field Identification
• Prefers sandy soils among boulders in proximity
  to large drainages drainages provide moisture
  through mist and humidity.
• Habitat/Range
• Moist meadows and streambanks in the montane to
  alpine zones known occurrences in the CWH, ESSF
  and SBSwk2 zones elevation range from 430-1600
  m

51
Orange Touch-Me-Not

• Identification
• Annual succulent herb stems erect to acsending,
  often branched, glabrous, 0.5-1.0 m tall leaves
  alternate, egg-shaped to elliptic, coarsely
  saw-toothed, 2-8 cm long flowers dark orange- or
  red- spotted or spotless, mostly 1-1.5 cm long,
  sepals pouched.
• Field Identification
• The capsules are explosive if squeezed, leading
  to their popular name.
• Habitat/Range
• Prefer moist, nutrient-rich soils damp roadside
  ditches often used fens, riverbanks, and forest
  edges known occurrences in the ICH zone.

52
Purple Oniongrass

• Identification
• Perennial grass from rhizomes, bulbous-based, the
  bulbs spaced at intervals of 1-3 cm along the
  rhizomes, remaining attached stems erect up to
  110 cm tall.
• Field Identification
• The common name comes from the onion-like
  appearance of the corm (underground stem that
  serves as a storage organ) at its root
  inflorescence is a narrow series of spikelets
  which are green with evenly spaced purple bands.
• Habitat/Range
• Native to BC elevation range is gt1000 m moist
  meadows and open forests known occurrence in the
  ICH and ESSF zones

53
Whitebark Pine

• Identification
• Trees up to 25 m tall DBH up to 150 cm diameter
  trunk is generally twisted and contorted with
  multiple forking often present crown conic,
  becoming rounded to irregularly spreading bark
  is pale grey, separating into thin plates as it
  ages branches often persistent to the trunk
  base needles occur in bundles of five, ranging
  in length from 3-9 cm and usually bluish-green
  cones are egg-shaped to almost round, 4-7 cm
  long, dark purple when immature, and do not open
  up when dried out scales on the cones are easily
  broken off seeds are one centimeter long and
  wingless.
• Field Identification
• Often dwarfed and deformed as a result of
  exposure and extreme temperatures at higher
  elevations often dead or dying (stressed) as a
  result of White Pine Blister Rust Grizzly bear
  are known to feed on whitebark pine seed caches.
• Habitat/Range
• Prefers well-drained sites in open coniferous
• stands generally found on rockier sites which
• are unfavourable for other tree species.

54
Ecosystems at Risk
Common Name Protection Category BEC Zone
Amabilis fir-western red cedar/oak fern Blue CWHws2/04
Mountain alder/red-oiser dogwood/ lady fern Blue SBSdk/Fl02
Saskatoon/ slender wheatgrass Red ESSFmc, ESSFwv, ICHmc1, SBSdk/81, SBSmc2
Scrub birch/ water sedge Blue SBSdk/Wf02, SBSmc2/Wf02
Slender sage/ common hook moss Blue ICHmc1/Wf02, SBSdk/Wf05, SBSmc2/Wf05
Shore sedge-buckbean/hook-mosses Blue SBSdk/Wf08, SBSmc2/Wf08
Shore sedge-buckbean/peat moss Blue CWHws2/Wb13, ICHmc1/Wb13
Sitka sedge/ peat moss Red CWHws2/Wf51
Common spike-rush Herbaceous Vegetation Blue SBSdk/Wm04
Few flowered spike rush/hook moss Red ESSFmc/Wf09, SBSmc2/Wf09
Swamp horsetail-beaked sedge Blue SBSdk/Wm02, SBSdw3/Wm02
Narrow leaved cotton grass shore sedge Blue ESSFmc/Wf13
Tamarack/low birch/bluejoint reedgrass-sedges/peat moss Red SBSdw3
Buckbean-slender sedge Blue SBSdk/Wf06
Hybrid white spruce/hardhack-prickly rose Blue SBSdw3/06
Black spruce/common horsetail/peat mosses Blue SBSdw3/Wb09, SBSmc2/Wb09
Black spruce/ creeping snowberry/ peat moss Blue SBSdk/09, SBSdk/Wb01
Black spruce/ buckbean/ peat moss Blue SBSmc2/Wb11
Sitka spruce/salmonberry wet submaritime 2 Blue CWHws2/07
55
Ecosystems at Risk
Common Name Protection Category BEC Zone
Lodgepole pine/ kinnikinnick Red CWHws2/02
Lodgepole pine/few flowered sedge/peat moss Blue ESSFmc/Wb10, SBSmc2/Wb10
Lodgepole pine/common juniper/rough leaved ricegrass Blue SBSdk/02
Lodgepole pine-black spruce/red- stemmed feathermoss Blue SBSdw3/05
Sandbergs bluegrass-slender wheatgrass Red ESSFmc, SBSdk/82, SBSdw3, SBSmc2
(Balsam poplar, black cottonwood) -spruces/red-osier dogwood Red SBSdk/08
Black cottonwood subalpine fir/devils club Blue ICHmc1/Fm03
Black cottonwood red alder/salmonberry Blue CWHws2/08
Douglas fir/lodgepole pine/clad lichens Blue SBSdw3/02
Douglas fir/red stemmed feathermos-step moss Blue SBSdk/04
Bebbs wilow /bluejoint reedgrass Blue SBSdk/Ws03
Drummonds willow/bluejoint reedgrass Blue SBSdk/Fl05, SBSdw3/Fl05
MacCallas willow/beaked sedge Blue SBSdk/Ws05
Scheuchzeria/ peat mosses Blue SBSdw3/Wb12, SBSmc2/Wb12
Hudson Bay clubrush/ rusty hook-moss Red SBSmc2/Wf10
Tufted clubrush/golden star-moss Blue SBSdk/Wf11
Western hemlock/ kinnikinnick/ clad lichens Blue ICHmc1/02
Western hemlock-lodgepole pine/red-stemmed feathermoss Blue CWHws2/03
56
Habitat Features Defined Mineral Licks

• Definition
• Mineral Licks are used by ungulate species to
  compensate for mineral deficiencies and
  imbalances as well as potentially decreasing the
  influence of toxic plant compounds.
• Often occur naturally, providing important
  nutrients such as sodium, calcium, iron,
  phosphorus and zinc, which are required for
  building bone and muscle.
• are especially important during the spring months
  prior to the vegetation emerging.
• Field Identification
• There are two visually distinct types of licks
  wet and dry. Wet licks are usually associated
  with groundwater springs and develop into muddy
  clearings used mainly by moose. Dry licks are
  often associated with steep, well-drained slopes,
  and are used by mountain goats.
• Numerous tracks in conjunction with well-defined
  trails converging at one spot are good indicators
  of a mineral lick.
• Sometimes hunters/guides will illegally create
  mineral licks (baiting) to attract ungulate
  species to a particular spot. In this case, look
  for signs of human activity and report to your
  local ministry.

57
Habitat Features Defined Cliffs

• Cliffs
• Cliffs can exist in several different forms,
  including shale, mud, or sand banks, rock cliffs,
  outcrops, scree or talus slopes, and escarpment
  faces (extensive cliffs associated with large
  rivers).
• Peregrine Falcon prefer near vertical terrain
  features (gt30 m) that offer a view of the
  surrounding area (open landscapes preferred),
  contain favourable sites (ledges) for nesting and
  hunting, and are within 2 km of a riparian area
  that supports high concentrations of bird
  species.
• Mountain Goat prefer south to west facing steep
  sites capable of shedding snow while providing
  escape routes (30-60 degree slopes that are
  inaccessible to predators) and sufficient
  foraging opportunities.
• Field Identification
• Upon discovery of a significant cliff feature,
  look for Falcon nests or small caves/ledges
  embedded in the cliff face that may serve as
  nesting areas. Pay close attention to steep
  slopes overlooking large drainages or wetlands,
  in particular the area immediately underneath the
  slope break.
• Look for signs of goat activity, including
  mineral licks, excavated snow down to forest
  floor, and well-defined trails leading to cliff
  areas.

58
Habitat Features Defined Riparian Areas

• Riparian Areas
• Include ditches, streams, lakes, and wetlands and
  the area immediately adjacent to each feature.