Elk Root Conservation Society in the West Kootenay’s Slocan Valley is creating a pollinator highway. Pollinator highways are tracts of land dedicated to supporting pollinators (bees, hummingbirds, bats and more) by growing food sources such as native wildflowers, connecting fragmented habitats together and ensuring healthy ecosystems overall.
Elk Root Conservation Farm Society (ERC) aims to create a holistic, inclusive, and sustainable model for environmental conservation, education, decolonization and community building, combining body, mind, and spirit in all their initiatives. This project joins a host of others at the society that work to bring food security, ecosystem restoration and educational opportunities together in one place.
This pilot project borders ERC’s location along Passmore Lower Road, applying and testing various methods of removing invasive species. Over 10 test plots, techniques such as solarizing, mulching, topographical modifications and mycorrhizal treatments are being explored to identify the most effective strategies. Once the invasive species are cleared, native plants will be seeded and planted then carefully monitored to assess their impact and ability to thrive on the landscape. Seeds are ethically sourced from the surrounding area; this method ensures that native pollinator plants are specifically adapted to the environmental conditions found in this region.
“The idea in this first phase is to show proof-of-concept so we can see what works well; then there’s a potential for a landscape-scale project down the valley,” says Kate Mizenka, Elk Root founder and board chair.
The multi-phased project kicked off this year, with Wildsight’s Youth Climate Corps (YCC) supporting the work with manual labour over three weeks this summer. The YCC crew learned about invasive species then cleared the land of invasive plants including oxeye daisies, knapweed and thistle to prepare the land for planting pollinator-friendly native plants this fall.
“Elk Roots’ property is gorgeous and it made us excited to come to work every day,” reflects crew member Clara Donnachie Park. “The work we were invited to participate in was fulfilling and focused on sustainability. It makes you excited to be involved!”
The partnership between ERC and YCC benefited the young workers by providing valuable education and experience and also helped Elk Root advance their ambitious projects.
“We have some pretty lofty projects right now, and having the help is an enormous benefit,” says Kate.
Crew members agree their time at Elk Root was memorable.
“I’ve learned more in the past few weeks from Kate than I have in my whole life,” says YCC crew member Mateo Winterscheidt. “I’ve gained a lot of knowledge on plant life and invasive species.”
In addition to the pollinator highway, the certified organic farm hosts several other initiatives, including a demonstration pollinator garden, an orchard and apiary, a community food garden that serves vulnerable populations, a native plant nursery and seed library, bat conservation projects including a new roosting ‘condo’, and a riparian restoration site. A newly constructed bio catchment pond, created with help from the YCC crew, will provide water for vegetation and habitat for invertebrates, while also offering a potential alternative water source during drought conditions.
Wildsight thanks Arjay R. and Frances F. Miller Foundation, Canada Summer Jobs, Catherine Donnelly Foundation, Columbia Basin Trust, Eco Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Nature Canada, the Province of BC, the Regional District of Central Kootenay, RBC Foundation, Trottier Family Foundation, Youth Climate Corps BC, 128 Collective, and our many community partners for making the Youth Climate Corps possible.