Assessing your site

This section gives a step-wise list of actions needed to understand the restoration needs at your site. These steps are similar to those developed by the Society for Ecological Restoration, and more information can be found on their web site (www.ser.org).

Identifying Boundaries and Land Ownership

Once you've chosen your restoration site, the next step is to identify its boundaries and determine private land ownership and/or Crown land tenures. For BC, land title and resource tenure information can be obtained through the Land and Resource Registries Portal, a project of the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management. Alternatively, your local Ministry of Forests office may be able to provide information on Crown forest or rangeland tenures, special management zones, and resource management plans. If you are close to a town, your area will probably encompass a mix of land titles, and you may need to do a land title search with the help of the Land Title Office.

If your site is on private land, your restoration goals may still be possible if they meet the needs of the landowner. Options for conservation covenants (i.e., modifications to the land title for conservation goals) exist and should be explored with groups like Nature Conservancy of Canada or The Land Conservancy (see Resources section). Land trusts like these often work with private landowners to manage for ecological goals, and restoration can be part of their land management plans.

Identifying Causes of Damage

Identifying and understanding what caused the ecosystem damage will assist in developing restoration goals and prescriptions. The most effective restoration projects are those that simply remove the degrading agents to allow for ecosystem recovery. For example, fencing off a wetland or grassland from cows will allow for at least partial ecosystem recovery. Restoring natural flows to a wetland or stream by removing a dam or diversion is another example of addressing the cause of ecosystem damage. It is important to identify the reasons why the site is degraded, and ensure that these causes are addressed before much time and money is spent.

Tanis Douglas
The area to the right of the fence line has been protected from grazing for one year. Note the difference in the grass community between the protected area, and outside.

Causes of damage are not always obvious, and it may be unclear what the site was like before it was degraded. In these cases, expert opinions from government agency staff or experienced consultants may be needed. Information from local individuals or government on previous land uses may also help explain the current disturbed condition. Alternatively, historical research may provide some clues (see 'Using Historical Reference Conditions as Templates').

Setting Goals and Objectives

Successful restoration projects require that the effects are measurable, hence goals and objectives must be explicitly defined, something that will be possible only following a site assessment. At this stage, preliminary, qualitative goals should be set to provide a basis for further investigation. During the assessment phase, preliminary goals and objectives are refined as more information is gathered and options are assessed. (See the previous discussion on Defining Restoration Goals and Objectives.)