British Columbia 2023 - AR Planting Pilots

PROJECT REPORT

BRITISH COLUMBIA 2023 - AR PLANTING PILOTS

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Dearfriend,

Thanks to your support, a total of 251,319 trees were planted to restore 209 hectaresoflandinBritishColumbia.

Planting trees in areas that have been degraded or deforested helps the environment by accelerating and assuring the re-establishment of healthy forests. Through reforestation, the canopy is restored, ecosystems are made whole,andbiodiversitycanthrive.

None of this would be possible without you. On behalf of everyone at One Tree Planted,thankyou!

What follows is a report outlining the project you supported in British Columbia.Ihopeyouenjoyreadingitandtrulyfeeltheimpactyouhavemade.

OVERVIEW

The objective of the British Columbia 2023 - AR Planting Pilots project was to restore six designated planting sites across Central and Southern British Columbia. The project was designed to help address challenges posed by climate change while aligning with the impending release of the Forest Carbon Offset Protocol (FCOP). These plantings represent a collaborative effort to reintroduce native and ecologically appropriate tree species into areas of private land and Indian Reserves that have been subject to disturbance and ecological degradation throughout the province. Moreover, through the restoration of these sites, the initiative aims to enhance wildlife habitat, particularly in Old Growth and Riparian Management Areas, while also bolstering community resilience against future wildfires and contributing to the economicdevelopmentofFirstNationscommunities.

TREES PLANTED

TREE SPECIES PLANTED

Across 209 hectares in British Columbia, a total of 14 native species were planted, including 10 tree species and four shrub species. This extensive reforestation effort spanned six distinct sub-projects across the southern half of British Columbia: MoTI (Merritt), Cheakamus IR (Squamish), Williams Lake Federal land (Military block), Yunesit’in IR (Williams Lake), Lytton, and Gogo Mountain (Nanaimo). Planting activities were conducted over multiple seasons, encompassing spring and fall, across the years 2022 and 2023. The reforestation sites varied in nature, including stream restoration, wildfire restoration (on federal land and Indian reserve land), post-logging restoration (restoring to a cedar forest) on Indian reserve land, and ecological restoration of private land sites overrun by invasivespecies.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PLANTINGS:

MoTI Riparian Restoration: A total of 16,830 trees were planted across three sites (Shouz Creek, Murray Flats, and Site 3) in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) for riparian restoration and stream stabilization efforts. Partnering with the Nooaitch Indian Band, cottonwood, aspen, and willow were planted along the bottom of the Nicola River Valley near Merritt to supportrestorationeffortsfollowingthecatastrophicfloodsofNovember2021.

IR-11 Squamish Planting: Collaborating with the Squamish First Nation on their Cheakamus IR-11 project, 18,630 red cedar trees were planted to restore areas historicallyimpactedbyhumandevelopmentintheearly1900s.

Military Block & Yunesit’in IR1 Plantings: 150,153 trees were planted on District Lots (Military Reserve Blocks), followed by an additional 61,540 trees on Yunesit’in IR1. These projects aimed to restore forests devastated by the unprecedented 2017 wildfire season, incorporating a diverse selection of tree species such as Douglas-fir, yellow pine, lodgepole pine, spruce, and aspen. The Military Reserve BlocksandYunesit’inIR1werebothwithintheboundariesofhistoricwildfires.

TREE SPECIES PLANTED CONT.

Lytton Restoration: Working closely with the Lytton First Nation, high-profile sites wererestoredtoaidintherehabilitationoffire-impactedareas,andtoenhancethe town'svisualappeal.

Gogo Mountain Planting: Situated on private forest land outside of Nanaimo, British Columbia, this planting effort targeted areas previously logged in 2015. Sparse natural regeneration prompted the planting of Douglas fir, western red cedar, and arbutus trees. Additionally, 500 dull Oregon grape (Mahonia nervosa) plants were introduced along road edges to establish ground cover and mitigate thespreadofinvasivespecieslikeScotchbroom.

SPECIES PLANTED THROUGH THIS PROJECT

Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla)

Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis)

Amabilis fir (Abies amabilis)

Yellow cedar (Callitropsis nootkatensis)

Western red cedar (Thuja plicata)

Interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca)

Western larch (Larix occidentalis)

Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides)

Black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa)

Spruce hybrid (Picea glauca x engelmannii)

Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)

Willow (Salix)

Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa)

Leyland cypress (Cupressus × leylandii)

Dull Oregon grape (Mahonia nervosa)

TREE SPECIES IDENTIFICATION & USE

Interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca),asubspeciesofthebroader Douglas-firspecies,isindigenoustotheinteriorregionsofBritishColumbia,Canada. Itthrivesindiversehabitatsrangingfromlowtohighelevationswithintheprovince's interior valleys and mountainous terrain. Interior Douglas-fir is renowned for its towering stature and impressive size, often reaching heights of over 60 meters with trunk diameters exceeding 1.5 meters. Its needles are flat and arranged in spirals around the branches, presenting a vibrant green color and emitting a characteristic citrusaromawhencrushed.Thebarkofmaturetreesisdeeplyfurrowedwithdistinct reddish-brown fissures, providing protection against wildfire and other environmentalstressors.

Interior Douglas-fir plays a pivotal role in British Columbia's ecosystems, offering myriad ecological services and serving as a keystone species. As a primary component of interior forests, it contributes significantly to carbon sequestration and storage, aiding in the mitigation of climate change impacts. Its dense foliage provides habitat and nesting sites for numerous bird species, while its seeds are a crucial food source for small mammals and birds. Additionally, the deep roots of mature trees stabilize soil, prevent erosion, and regulate water flow within watersheds,therebyenhancingoverallwatershedhealth.

Trembling aspen, scientifically known as Populus tremuloides, is native to various regions of British Columbia, Canada, particularly in the interior and northern parts of the province. It thrives in a range of habitats, including moist forests, riverbanks, and mountainsides. Trembling aspen is a deciduous tree characterized by its distinctive leaves, which flutter and tremble in even the slightest breeze due to their flattened petioles. These leaves are typically rounded, with serrated edges, and exhibit a vibrant green hue during the growing season, turning into shades of yellow, orange, and gold in the fall. The bark of the tree is smooth and greenish-white in younger trees, gradually transitioning to a darker, furrowed appearance with age. Mature tremblingaspentreestypicallyrangefrom20to30meterstall.

One of trembling aspen’s notable contributions is its ability to rapidly colonize disturbed areas, such as after wildfires or logging activities, thereby facilitating ecosystemregenerationandsuccession.Additionally,tremblingaspentreessupport a diverse range of wildlife species, including birds, mammals, and insects. The trees provide nesting sites for various bird species, while their leaves and bark serve as a food source for deer, moose, and other herbivores. Moreover, trembling aspens contribute to soil stabilization, water retention, and nutrient cycling, enhancing ecosystemhealthandresilience.

DOCUMENTING YOUR IMPACT

Throughauthenticandinformativestorytelling,wehelpdonorsrelatetothepeople who plant their trees and to the impact they're making for the planet. We share photos, videos, and updates from our global projects across our social media, website, and other media to create a personal connection to the incredible work happeningontheground.

PHOTOS FROM YOUR PROJECT

REFORESTATION IS A NATURE-BASED SOLUTION TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS, AND A CRITICAL PART OF THE PROVINCE’S MANDATE TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE. YOUR DONATION HAS ALSO ENABLED US TO REALIZE MORE CARBON SEQUESTRATION IN A SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME. WE APPRECIATE THE CONTRIBUTION TO THIS, AND OTHER, PLANTING PROJECTS BY ONE TREE PLANTED AND LOOK FORWARD TO COLLABORATING ON FUTURE REFORESTATION OPPORTUNITIES.

ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS

Restoring healthy and vibrant forests yields a multitude of ecological benefits that extend far beyond the boundaries of the planting sites. By rejuvenating forest ecosystems, carbon sequestration is enhanced, playing a pivotal role in mitigating the impacts of climate change. This process not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions, but also helps stabilize global temperatures, safeguarding the balance ofourplanet'sclimatesystems. Furthermore,therestorationofforestsservesasa natural buffer against environmental hazards such as floods and landslides. By bolstering soil stability and enhancing water retention capacity, reforestation efforts minimize the risk of catastrophic events, safeguarding both human communitiesandwildlifehabitatsalike.

In the context of the Nicola and Coldwater Rivers and their tributaries, the restoration of riparian habitats holds significant importance. These waterways supportdiversepopulationsoffishspecies,includingsteelhead,bulltrout,rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and various salmon species. The reestablishment of riparian vegetation in these areas not only stabilizes riverbanks, but reduces sediment loads, ensuring optimal conditions for fish habitat and contributing to the overall health of aquatic ecosystems. This initiative is particularly crucial in light of recent flood events, such as the devastating occurrence in November 2021, underscoring theurgentneedforproactivemeasurestomitigatefuturerisks

Moreover, the restoration of forests impacted by wildfires, such as those ravaged by the Lytton wildfire, holds noteworthy ecological significance. These forests are vital habitats for a diverse array of wildlife species, including California bighorn sheep, mountain goats, deer, elk, moose, beavers, black bears, wolves, coyotes, bobcats, cougars, and wolverines. By restoring these habitats, the project aims to provideessentialshelter,foodsources,andspaceforthesespecies,ensuringtheir continuedsurvivalandfosteringbiodiversitywithintheregion.

COMMUNITY BENEFITS

In addition to the extensive ecological advantages highlighted in the previous section,theplantingoftreesbringsforthaplethoraofbenefitsthatdirectlyimpact communitiesacrossBritishColumbia.

CarbonOffsets:

A pivotal community benefit arising from this reforestation project lies in the acquisition of carbon offsets. By strategically planting trees, carbon sequestration is enhanced, leading to the generation of carbon credits that can be traded or sold on the market. These carbon offsets hold immense potential to unlock significant opportunities for revenue generation, in turn funding vital ecosystem restoration projectsandprovidingemploymentopportunitiesforindividualswithintheforestry and environmental sectors across the province. Not only does this bolster local economies, but it fosters sustainable development practices, aligning with British Columbia's commitment to combatting climate change and fostering a greener futureforgenerationstocome.

IndigenousInvolvement:

The involvement of Indigenous communities stands as a cornerstone of this reforestation project, underscoring the principles of collaboration, respect, and shared stewardship over natural resources. Representatives from four Indigenous groups played integral roles in the implementation of this initiative, including members from the Yunesit’in Nation, Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), Tl'esqox (Toosey Indian Band), Nooaitch Indian Band and Lytton Indian Band. Their active participation ensured that Indigenous perspectives, traditional knowledge, and cultural values were incorporated into all facets of the project, fostering meaningful partnerships and honoring Indigenous rights and title. By embracing Indigenous involvement, this reforestation initiative not only promotes reconciliationandstrengthensrelationshipswithIndigenouscommunitiesbutalso enriches the project's outcomes by drawing upon centuries-old wisdom and holisticapproachestolandstewardship.

U.N. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

THIS PROJECT CONTRIBUTED TO THE FOLLOWING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:

WHAT ARE SDGS?

Sustainable development entails seeking out solutions that not only boost the economic outcomes of developing and poorer nations, but also work to limit (or eliminate)ourimpactontheplanet.Treesareonesuchsolution.

From creating jobs and reducing hunger to improving gender equality, cleaning air and water, absorbing carbon, protecting life on land and water, and more, planting treescanaddressall17sustainabledevelopmentgoals.

“As we reflect on the profound impact of our work, we’re inspired by the expansive reach of this project across British Columbia's diverse landscapes. From forests of the interior to the coastal shores, our collective efforts hold the promise of harnessing immense carbon potential of reforestation, all while fostering meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities. This journey has reaffirmed the power of collaboration, proudly planting the seeds of change andcultivatingagreener,moreresilientfutureforgenerationstocome.”

Meghan Danny Global Projects Support Specialist

Stephanie Rochemont Project Manager Canada & Northeast US