Green Mountain Wildlife Management Area

ABOUT THIS WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

Date Designated: May 30, 1991

Purpose: Management of critical habitat for the Vancouver Island Marmot.

Size: 300 hectares

Region: West Coast

NATURE AND CULTURE

Fish and Wildlife: This small WMA contains vital habitat for the critically endangered Vancouver Island Marmot.  As of 2008, there were believed to be only 85 to 100 of this marmot species left in the wild (all of them on Vancouver Island), and a further 162 in four captive breeding centres. The Green Mountain area currently contains a small number of Vancouver Island Marmots, and also provides habitat for Roosevelt Elk, Mule Deer, Black Bear, Wolf and many other non-game species. Other rare species found here include Northern Goshawk and White-tailed Ptarmigan.

Physiography, Climate and Vegetation: The Green Mountain WMA is characterized by a mix of alpine and subalpine zones with open meadows, coniferous forest, steep ravines and rocky outcroppings. Meadows are dominated by grasses, sedges, wildflowers and bracken fern with some seepage areas found along creeks draining the areas. Patches of coniferous forest are found throughout the area, generally in ravines or on lower slopes and ridges. Prevalent tree species are Balsam Fir and Mountain Hemlock with some Yellow Cedar also present. Some areas also support White Rhododendron.

PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

Information on management direction and possible restrictions on visitor activities are available from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development regional office.

Management Partners:

• Marmot Recovery Foundation