The Adams River Salmon Society

Protecting Haig-Brown's Rare Plants

The geographical position of Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park between the dry zones to the west and the wetter climates at the east end of Shuswap Lake makes for an interesting botanical mixture. In fact, some plant species in the park are rare for B.C.

Meanderings of a River

One of the important habitats in the river delta is known as the "riparian" zone. This zone consists of the vegetation that lines the river's edge. These plants stabilize the river banks, shade and thus cool the water, and provide shelter for wildlife. The riparian zone is the most important and most endangered habitat that Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park protects.

Some of the most obvious and important riparian vegetation includes cottonwood trees, willow bushes, high-bush cranberries and red-osier dogwoods. The many enormous, old, hollow-centred cottonwood trees play a critical role in providing shelter for bats, woodpeckers, squirrels and many other forest creatures.

Old river channels, which remain dry except during spring runoff, are home to hazelnut, Douglas maple and cascara which produce fruits sought by red squirrels and many birds.