YSR at Geoscience 2023

YSR General Manager, Kristina Gardner, presents at the Yukon Geoscience Forum in 2023.

In November of 2023, Yukon Seed & Restoration was invited to present at the Yukon Geoscience Forum. As a new company, this was an exciting opportunity to gather with other industry leaders and tell the story of how we approach our work, informed by the Traditional Ecological Knowledge of the community we serve. Before and after our presentation, we were able to engage in many conversations about how we may play a role in restoration services throughout the entire life cycle of a mining project. By bringing in First Nation Knowledge of the land earlier, we may support extraction activity that aims to be as sustainable and minimize disruption to the health of our lands and waters.

During our presentation, we had the chance to share an overview of how this is done with special attention to the use of native seeds in land restoration work.

1. Site Assessment
   A site assessment is the first step in informing our restoration planning. Here, we’re looking at native plant restoration needs, native seed that may be used in the process, and developing a plan for implementing the TEK informed approach to work.
   
   

2. ELC Mapping
   This mapping process allows for us to gather and establish data to inform the planning and implementation work of restoration. Additionally, the ability to conduct this data means contributing to data inventory of Traditional Territories for First Nations. This is one of the many way of how working with YSR helps to support and uplift First Nation communities.
   
   

3. Seed Collection
   We collect seed from targeted native species at site to support the native seed and revegetation strategy work. Seed collection is conducted using honourable harvesting methods, and whenever possible, we use this opportunity to connect First Nation youth with this Traditional Knowledge.
   
   

4. Research Plan Development
   At this stage we identify any opportunities for research and knowledge building opportunities.
   
   

5. Planning and Prescription Design
   Working alongside our client, we develop and present the plan within accordance of site needs, restoration opportunities, and the project timelines.
   
   

6. Growing / Sourcing Native Plant Material
   As the restoration plan is put into place, we work closely with reputable partners to access native seed and plant materials. While YSR is actively developing a Yukon Native Seed Bank, we’re not yet at a place where we may conduct growing operations.
   
   

7. Installation Operation Management
   This work will vary based on the site needs and plan, but a part of this work in the past has been monitoring revegetation trials, where we may measure the variability in revegetative success with land topography and microtopography in compacted till soils.
   
   

8. Monitoring & Maintenance
   Our work doesn’t end with implementation. After planting, we’re dedicated to active monitoring in order to measure how we’re meeting our restoration goals. This work is conducted through many measures including plant species monitoring, foliar analysis, social analysis, and more.
   
   

9. Adaptive Management Recommendations
   As monitoring continues, we’re prepared to adapt our restoration planning in accordance with environmental factors.

   Best practices in revegetation: start early, know what you have, use local plants, do trials, define success goals.