View to the Northwest from Prospect Point.
on the ground with the residual stand subsequently underplanted. The majority of the blowdown material will be recovered and used. Remaining trees and snags within the blowdown areas will be kept or recreated. Paul Lawson, Manger of the UBC Malcolm Knapp Research Forest, has been seconded to the Vancouver Parks Board as Project Manager during the Park’s initial recovery efforts. Paul is part of a large team comprising foresters, geoscientists, ecologists, biologists, several private consultants and even psychologists. This team is guided by a Steering Committee, chaired by Jim Lowden, Director of the Stanley District of the Vancouver Parks Board. A major geotechnical problem is the escarpment above the seawall. Upturned trees are hanging over
the escarpment and some have slid down onto the walkway. An excavator at the top of the escarpment will remove these trees and the associated overhanging root wads. Bioengineering will be used to stabilize the escarpment once this is completed.
Forestry Canada and the CFIA are cooperating in monitoring the area for outbreaks of both native and exotic insects. Plans are also underway to use proceeds from the sale of timber to create a long term fund that will support forest stewardship in the Park.
In order to minimize the number of workers on the ground, blowdown will be hoe-forwarded to existing roads and trails. Due to soil moisture conditions, work will not start until soils have dried enough to minimize damage to the forest floor and risk to workers.
One way that the Faculty has been supporting these efforts was by cohosting (along with Simon Fraser University and the Vancouver Parks Board) a Public Forum held on April 12 at the Roundhouse Community Centre. That Forum was moderated by Bruce Larson, and included presentations by Faculty members John McLean, Hamish Kimmins, Stephen Sheppard, Steve Mitchell and Ken Lertzman of SFU.
Key to success is risk management of issues such as: further blowdown, fire hazard, geotechnical and slope stability, and safety of workers and the public. These dangers must be addressed before restoration can begin. UBC, PheroTech,
I welcome your feedback. You can reach me at jack.saddler@ubc.ca or 604-822-3542. BRANCH LINES
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