In early 2009, the Fraser Valley Conservancy (FVC) secured funding from Environment Canada to begin work on the development of a biodiversity conservation strategy for the Fraser Valley. The initiative is entitled the Fraser Valley Regional Biodiversity Strategy (FVRBS). The goals of this strategy are to increase partnerships and collaboration between Fraser Valley stewardship groups and all levels of government, and to support the works of Fraser Valley non-profit organizations in the conservation, enhancement and protection of biodiversity. The strategy will increase access to conservation data sources and address information gaps that create barriers to effective biodiversity enhancement and protection. The strategy target area will include all of the Fraser Valley Regional District in order to tackle biodiversity conservation issues from a regional and watershed level. The FVRBS will increase focus on biodiversity in city planning and conservation initiatives and will assist in the management of the fragile natural environment in the Fraser Valley, including our rare species, flora and fauna, and watercourses.

The Fraser Valley Conservancy secured additional funding from the Real Estate Foundation (REF) in the summer of 2009 that has supported the continuation of this initiative. Funding from REF and the Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP) has provided FVC with the opportunity to develop a conservation pilot project for Sumas Mountain. The pilot project will consist of Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory (SEI) mapping which will provide baseline data of fragile ecosystems on the mountain. SEI mapping is derived from the interpretation of existing ecosystems from aerial photographs. The target completion date of the FVRBS is December 2010.

For more information regarding the strategy email Michelle Scott, biodiversity@fraservalleyconservancy.ca

or

contact the Fraser Valley Conservancy