PURPOSE: This draft document was prepared in the 1990s by local resident and International authority on Biodiversity Strategies, Robert Prescot Allen. Modifications and input from the Metchosin Advisory Commission and the students of the Environmental Systems class at Lester B. Pearson College have been included. The purpose of the strategy is to enable the Council and residents of Metchosin to fulfill the commitments to conserve biodiversity as expressed in the Official Community Plan.
We welcome any comments and seek input on how this may be improved.
RATIONALE FOR A BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY FROM THE OCP:( Official Community Plan)
2.2.2 To promote the conservation of the biodiversity of the district – the variety of natural communities, native wild species and populations, and domesticated species and populations.
2.2.3 To maintain creeks, streams and inland wetlands in their natural state, by minimizing the impact of development.
2.2.4 To maintain uplands, forested lands and areas with old growth Douglas Fir in their natural state, by minimizing the impact of development.
2.2.5 To manage marine shorelands in a manner compatible with the biological and physical processes acting on and within them.
2.2.6 To identify and preserve sensitive natural environments for future generations and to maintain sufficient lands in their natural state so that rare and diverse plant and animal life will continue to exist and flourish.
2.2.9 To promote the restoration of marginal agricultural and /or previously degraded land to wildlife habitat.
Commitments to conserve biodiversity may also be found in the OCP’s general environmental policies and policies on lakes, creeks and streams; inland wetlands; marine shorelands; wildlife habitat; unique and attractive vegetation and tree cover.
The Garry-Oak Douglas fir zone is probably the most threatened ecological region in North America. It is restricted to southeastern Vancouver Island, The Gulf and San Juan Islands, The Puget trough and Willamette valley ( the rain shadow zone East of the mountains of Vancouver Island, Olympic peninsula and Washington/ Oregon Coast) Most of this zone has already been converted to farms and residential areas or has been heavily modified. Little natural Ecosystem remains. Municipalities that still have significant tracts of this ecological zone have something very valuable and unique. It is an obligation and service to the more urbanized municipalities and to future generations to maintain this heritage.
OBJECTIVES:
The ultimate objectives of this strategy are to:
- Maintain viable populations of every species native to Metchosin.
- Maintain viable samples of every natural community in Metchosin.
- Initial priority will be given to species and natural communities that are endangered, threatened or rare nationally , provincially or regionally.
The Enabling Objectives of the strategy are to:
- Increase the number of residents who value native species and natural communities and are committed to conserving them.
- Increase social and economic incentives fore maintaining native species and natural communities.
- Increase legal support for maintaining native species and natural communities.
- Improve information on native species and natural communities of Metchosin and on introduced species that threaten them.
- Develop the Organizational capacity to maintain native species and natural communities.
- Obtain the resources required to maintain native species and natural communities.
VALUES:
Objective 1: Increase the number of residents who value native species and natural communities and are committed to conserving them.
- Action: 1.1 Produce and distribute a leaflet describing the uniqueness and heritage value of the natural communities and native species of Metchosin.
- Action 1.2 Prepare a high quality presentation on the uniqueness and heritage value of Metchosin’s native species and natural communities and the Biodiversity Strategy for Metchosin. This should be suitable for public gatherings and a TV presentation.
- Action 1.3 Prepare and promote a “collaborative” style Internet site on Metchosin biodiversity, and the Biodiversity Strategy.
- Action 1.4 Contact local schools to determine the extent of curricular involvement at present with Metchosin biodiversity. Enlist the help of teachers and students to contribute to identifying and promoting conservation of biodiversity.
- Action 1.5 Prepare a demonstration booth for Metchosin Day which is designed to heighten public awareness on biodiversity issues of the community.
- Action 1.6 Promote artistic performances on biodiversity themes to heighten awareness in the community.
INCENTIVES
Objective 2 : Increase social and economic incentives fore maintaining native species and natural communities.
- Action 2.1 : Develop ways of increasing people’s self esteem and social standing if they do something to conserve native species and natural communities.
- Institute community recognition of conservation efforts.
- Encourage cooperation between neighbors to join up areas of greenspace.
- Set time-lines for community achievement of greenspace designation .
- Establish a high profile “community green map”.
- Action 2.2 : Provide financial incentives (e.g. tax breaks) for maintaining native species and natural communities. Land dedicated to conserving native species and natural communities should be taxed at a rate low enough to encourage people to do so ( just as agricultural land is taxed at a favorable rate).
Recommended Steps: Draft a proposal
Council endorses proposal
Provincial government is lobbied to support the proposal
Lobby other municipalities to obtain support.
- Action 2.2 : Provide financial incentives for restoration of degraded habitat. This could be done where there are agricultural areas overgrown with weedy species.
LAWS
Objective 3: Increase legal support for maintaining native species and natural communities
- Action 3.1: Develop and implement an optimal zoning strategy for maintenance of native species and natural communities. Current zoning is not the most suitable for the conserving of biodiversity. A more flexible zoning system might help property owners dedicate land for conservation while meeting their economic priorities. The ecosystem unit should be taken into account when providing for subdivision or development. Certain ecosystem components must not be compromised if we are to maintain viable populations of native species.
Recommended steps: (I) Discuss what an optimal and achievable zoning system based on an ecosystem component approach would look like.
(ii) Prepare a proposal
(iii) Submit the proposal to Council and residents;
(iv) Amend the OCP and Land Use bylaw to accommodate biodiversity.
- Action 3.2 Make available to property owners detailed information on the process of providing for covenants.
KNOWLEDGE
Objective 3: Improve information on native species and natural communities of Metchosin and on introduced species that threaten them.
- Action 4.1 Prepare and maintain an inventory of native species and natural communities of Metchosin. This would be part of the Metchosin Environmental Inventory which has already been started.
Immediate needs:(i) Compile a list of native species (plants; vertebrates; macro-fungi)
(ii) Compile a list of natural communities
(iii) Identify native species of concern( endangered, threatened, rare)
(iv) Identify natural communities of concern (endangered, threatened, rare)
(v) Complete mapping of natural communities.
- Action 4.2 Prepare a list of introduced species of concern ( i.e. that threaten native species or natural communities) and identify priority species for control.
- Action 4.3 Identify a process for updating the inventories in order to keep information current.
- Action 4.4 Involve all components of the community in the inventory process. Develop incentives for school children to contribute to the inventory.
ORGANIZATION
Objective 5: Improve information on native species and natural communities of Metchosin and on introduced species that threaten them.
- Action 5.1 Form an organization of property owners and other individuals who will commit themselves to taking particular actions. (The Metchosin Organization on Biodiversity)
- Action 5.2 Form an alliance with other community groups, service clubs, Environmental Organizations. Explain the strategy and enlist them as partners. Discuss what they and their members could do to develop and implement the strategy.
- Action 5.3 Encourage and link up with similar activities in other municipalities.
RESOURCES
Objective 6: Obtain the resources required to maintain native species and natural communities.
- Action 6.1 Prepare a budget for actions 1 through 6 . define preliminary targets for meeting the budget
- Action 6.2 Ask council to commit itself to its share and front the money for actions 1.1 and 1.2 (required for fund raising and recruiting partners)
- Action 6.3 Prepare and implement a plan to raise the balance of the budget.
SPECIAL ISSUES
Control of Introduced Species:
The introduced species that are of concern are those that because of their opportunistic nature, have a negative impact on native species and the re-establishment of native species.
- Action 7.1 : Prepare and distribute to property owners a pamphlet emphasizing the importance of control of introduced species. Develop a recognition method for certification of areas that are free of introduced species.
- Action 7.2 : Prepare priority plans for the removal of other introduced species that can destroy species diversity. Gray squirrels, starlings and rabbits may be appropriate candidates. Recognition may be made of some species, e.g. Blackberry that should be controlled in areas that could be rehabilitated with native species.
For a reference on current research on Gray Squirrels see: This link. - Action 7.3 : Encourage property owners to remove Scotch broom and gorse from their land. Develop an incentive scheme for broom eradication and restoration of native species.
- Action 7.4.: The municipality of Metchosin will commit themselves to removing appropriate introduced species such as broom from their properties. Other public authorities, (e.g. BC Hydro) will be advised of the need for a control program .
Management of land to Encourage Native Species and Natural Communities.
- Action 7.5 : Produce and distribute advice to landowners on ways they can manage their land to best encourage native species and natural communities.
- Action 7.6 : Prepare and implement a plan for management of public lands, including right of ways, trails, to encourage native species, and to control introduced species.
PROTECTION:
- Action 7.7 : Identify and protect by legislation priority areas in the municipality. Emphasis will be placed on the largest remaining intact areas of natural or near- natural ecosystems. Comprehensive management plans to ensure long-term protection must be done for each area.