American redstart, one of over 100 species of birds that live in the Horsefly River Valley. Photo Cornelius Iwan.
With this current acquisition, TLC is building on one of our most important projects. From 1999 to 2006 we have purchased and are currently managing over 1,000 acres of riparian habitat in the Horsefly River Valley, some 70 km south east of Williams Lake. This area, known as the Horsefly River Riparian Conservation Area (HRRCA) is situated along one of B.C.’s most valuable sockeye salmon rivers. It also provides habitat for large numbers of grizzly and black bears that congregate along the river each fall. It is also home to a wide range of waterfowl, songbirds and mammals, particularly moose.
The parcel in question is the last remaining parcel of the Kroener Ranch and the only forested portion of this ranch. It is immediately downstream of, and is connected to, the HRRCA. When acquired, the property would add 56 acres of mixed wood forest, wetlands, and streamside habitat to the HRRCA.
Columnbine, one of the many plant species at Horsefly. Photo Cornelius Iwan.
In addition to increasing the overall size of the HRRCA, the acquisition of this property will link the Crown Land around Stillwater Lake, an area that has been designated as a key wetland for moose, and an Old-growth Management Area in the Sustainable Forest Management Plan for the Horsefly River Watershed.
With this acquisition, the protected area of riparian habitat in the Valley would effectively be extended by a further 2 km on the north side of the Horsefly River and by at least an additional 140 acres (86 acres of crown land and 56 acres of private land).
