Planting with Purpose

As spring officially arrives in the Elk Valley and we swap our skis for bikes, the Elk River Alliance (ERA) switches into a different kind of gear. Snowmelt means the start of planting season and for ERA, this is a critical time for field work. ERA’s restoration crew and volunteers spend busy days outside by the river, collecting native livestakes (tree cuttings) that will later be planted to restore streamside habitat. From riverside restoration to home gardens, here’s how ERA is making a difference and how you can too.

Why is Restoration Needed?
Studies show that over half of the Elk Valley’s natural cottonwood forest has been lost since settlement. Over time, native forest has been cleared for urban development, agriculture, and industry use. However, these native trees provide an essential ecosystem function. They stabilize streambanks, absorb flood waters, reduce water temperatures, and provide habitat along a crucial wildlife corridor. So, when we lose these trees in riparian zones (areas of land alongside the river), we see increased levels of streambank erosion, sediment in the water, and flood risk.

ERA’s Cottonwood Restoration Program is restoring lost riparian habitat by planting native trees and shrubs along previously cleared land.

From Nursery to Riverbank In an effort to increase tree survival rate, ERA has developed a plant nursery program where collected livestakes are planted and cared for from spring through summer. This incubation time supports strong root development before trees are planted in their new streamside homes throughout the Valley. There are two key benefits to growing new trees from local cuttings. First, allowing cuttings to establish roots in a controlled environment gives them a higher chance of long-term survival once planted. Second, taking local cuttings means we’ll be growing more trees that are already genetically adapted to thrive here, further boosting survival rates.

Last year, thanks to 260 hours of volunteer support, ERA managed to grow 2,650 saplings and plant them in the fall. This year, our ambition is big. We want to grow 10,000 this summer! This requires dedicated hard work (and often some mud) from both our team and our incredible volunteers, but there’s nothing quite like seeing a forest begin to establish that you helped plant.

What You Can Do at Home
Conservation work doesn’t start and end by the riverbank, it can happen in every home! Beyond volunteering to help with ERA’s restoration work, here are some things you can do in your own backyard to make a difference.

Plant native species! Native trees, shrubs, and flowers are typically well adapted to the local climate, requiring less watering and maintenance while supporting local biodiversity. Lupines and wild roses are two stunning native options!  

They’re drought tolerant, will reduce water usage, and add bright summer colours to your garden.
Create a rain garden. Coupled with water loving plants, rain gardens are effective at capturing excess water in flood events and filtering rain runoff which ends up in the river. Adding a rain barrel to collect and repurpose rainwater for watering is great during dry summer conditions and captures excess water from heavy rainfall.

Remember that water runoff ends up in the watershed. By choosing organic fertilizers and abstaining from pesticides you’re helping our streams to thrive. 

The Elk Valley’s natural environment and the community that protects it are what make this place so special. Whether you’re volunteering with ERA’s restoration program or boosting native biodiversity in your backyard, we all share the responsibility of protecting our natural spaces. To learn more about programs or to volunteer, visit elkriveralliance.ca