Conservation of the Oregon forestsnail through translocation and habitat enhancement efforts

Land snails are important ecological components of ecosystems, providing multiple services that maintain the health of ecosystems in which they occur. The Oregon forestsnail (Allogona townsendiana), currently designated as Endangered under the Species at Risk Act, is found only in southwestern British Columbia in Canada at the northernmost extent of its known range. Trans Mountain Canada Inc. is required to complete an Oregon forestsnail translocation study to satisfy Condition 16 of Species at Risk Act (SARA) permits issued for the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project. To meet this requirement, Trans Mountain has formed a partnership with BCIT and the Nature Trust of BC to conduct this study. This is a multi-year effort, with the first phase of the project designed to identify and assess locations in the Lower Mainland where Oregon forestsnails do not currently occur, but contain sites that are suitable for the development of habitat enhancement plans to create conditions appropriate for subsequent translocation of OFS.

Faculty Supervisor:

Kim Ives;Laurie Stott

Student:

Partner:

Trans Mountain Pipeline LP

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Transportation and warehousing

University:

British Columbia Institute of Technology

Program: