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In This Section
Rice Ponds 
Highlights
The Rice Ponds project consists of 518 hectares of provincial crown land with a mix of wetlands, pastures and aspen parkland.
It represents a partnership between Ducks Unlimited Canada, three provincial government ministries, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (PFRA) and a local logging company (Canadian Forest Products).
It demonstrates many of the sustainable land use practices and wetland restoration techniques promoted through the BC Prairie Care Program, paving the way for more similar project initiatives in this region.
Background
The Rice Ponds project area was owned until recently by Canadian Forest Products, who returned it to provincial crown ownership as part of a negotiated harvest agreement. The land is now under the management of the BC Ministry of Forests, with input from environment and agriculture ministries.
Ducks Unlimited Canada has entered into a long-term conservation agreement with these agencies to restore wetland habitats, and facilitate the management of both livestock grazing areas and nearby forests.
The project consists of a number of improvements: the restoration of water levels in several wetlands using dams and water control devices; fencing to create a riparian pasture with two alternative stock water facilities (which provide clean water for livestock and result in reduced disease problems and faster weight gains); a modified grazing system and protected sensitive ecosystems; and the implementation of a sustainable forestry management program on surrounding aspen parkland habitats.
Project Partners
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (PFRA)
- The BC Ministry of Water, Land & Air Protection
- BC Habitat Conservation Trust Fund
- BC Ministry of Forests
- BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries
- Ducks Unlimited Canada
- Rafter KL
- Russell Graff
