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White Bark Pine - 5 day Conservation Experience

Currency:USD Category:Hunting / Trips Start Price:2,500.00 USD
White Bark Pine - 5 day Conservation Experience
In cooperation with the Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation of Canada (WPEF-C) we survey and assess the health and reproduction of the endangered White Bark Pine populations in the South Chilcotin area. The loss of essential whitebark pine habitat due to mountain pine beetle infestation results in a loss of the ecosystem services it provides, with severe consequences for a diversity of wildlife. Other factors that threaten whitebark pine include white pine blister rust and climate change, we are monitoring their impacts closely.

White bark pine trees produce cones about every third year. In the fall of every third year, we collect 100s of white bark pine cones to use for propagation and planting in areas where the white bark pine isn't thriving like it is in the Chilcotin Ark. We estimate we sent 20,000 white bark pine nuts in one fall to the White Bark Pine Ecosystem Foundation for them to propagate and plant. Collecting data about the pine trees is also used for research and creating and maintaining sustainable land management.

2024 is the year the White Bark Pine trees produce their cones in the Chilcotin Ark. You can become part of this unique experience and contribute to conservation through habitat restoration.

Donation: Two people can participate on a 5 day White Bark Pine Cone Collection - Conservation Experience. Spend your days riding on horseback across the tops of sandy shale mountains and collecting White Bark Pine Cones along the way. Scout the slopes for a variety of Wildlife. Spend the night in a cabin or wall tent.

You will be given the option of several dates to pick from.

Itinerary:
Day 1
On our White Bark Pine Conservation Experience, arrive at the ranch and enjoy lunch in our historic lodge. Then meet your horse, learn how to saddle, take a short ride to prepare for the next day.

Day 2
Early next morning bring in your horses, saddle your riding horse, learn to pack the pack horses then ride out to camp. Collect White Bark Pine Cones along the way and scout for wildlife. Set up camp, unsaddle and stake your horses in the wildflower meadows, cook dinner over the campfire and enjoy the night in a cabin or wall tent allowing you to stay close to nature throughout the trip.

Day 3
The next morning ride out at sunrise to scout for wildlife in their prime locations. Species you might see include moose, mountain goat, sheep, grizzly and black bears, mule deer, cougar, wolves and eagles. Learn about where to find the different wildlife and their behaviours and carefully record the location, age and sex of all wildlife that we see. Return to camp for breakfast, or make a fire and cook on the trail. Enjoy a day ride to the mountain tops to keep collecting White Bark Pine Cones and scouting for wildlife and learn more about the flora and fauna. Record every animal you see in our wildlife sightings form to contribute to habitat and population management. Some of the other Remove invasive species and collect data along the way such as grizzly hair from rub trees for DNA analysis. Return to camp for dinner, then ride out at sunset for one last check for wildlife.

Day 4
The next day, ride out in the morning to collect cones and scout for wildlife. Return to camp and pack up. Ride back to the ranch, looking for wildlife and tracks along the way. Arrival at the ranch. Enjoy a Wild Harvest Dinner to celebrate your accomplishments.

Day 5
On your final morning, review the trip and data collected. Farewell lunch at the ranch.

Included: Meal, Lodging, Horses and Tack, Guides

Not-included: Airfare, Transportation to and from Airport.