Great-horned Owl perched in a farm hedgerow (David Bradbeer) Short-eared Owl hunting voles over a grassland (Hank Tseng). A farm lane in Delta, BC (Tyler Garnham). A Marsh Wren singing atop a hedgerow (David Bradbeer). A diversity of food grown in Delta, BC (Markus Merkens). Coopers Hawk perching on a fence (Markus Merkens). Barley growing in a Delta field (Tyler Garnham). Trumpeter Swans feed on a cover crop (David Bradbeer). Spring plowing on a Delta farm (Markus Merkens). Snow Geese taking off from a farm field (David Shackleton) Ladybird beetle on a barley plant (David Bradbeer)

Research Reports

Delta Farmland & Wildlife Trust works with government agencies, post-secondary institutions and local agencies to increase our understanding of sustainable farming practices and the habitat needs of wildlife on the lower Fraser River delta. The success of Trust's stewardship programs is due to the wildlife monitoring research we conduct on an annual basis. This data, which is collected by DF&WT staff, post-secondary students, and university and government researchers, allows us to assess the effectiveness of farmland stewardship activities. Whenever possible, we use this data to update the management of our stewardship programs.

Use the links below to navigate to DF&WT's research reports and publications.

NEW! Winter Cover Crops on the Fraser River: 20 Years of Greenfields: A detailed summary of the Winter Cover Crop Program (formerly know as the Greenfields Project), including hsitorical enrolment, farmer interviews, and management recommendations.

Managing Cereal Grasses as Waterfowl Lure Crops: This report summarizes our 2009 study of cereal winter cover crops, such as winterwheat, and their ability to support migratory waterfowl. The study showed that planting witner wheat as early as possible in August significantly increased the number of waterfowl that a cover croped field could support. The data from this report was used to update the management guidelines of the Winter Cover Crop Stewardship Program.

Managing Cover Crops for Conservation Purposes in the Fraser River Delta, British Columbia: A MUST READ for those interested in the soil benefits of cover crops. This publication discusses the role of cover crops in maintaining soil fertility on the lower Fraser River delta. Specific attention is paid to different types of cover crops and how they influence soil organic matter content, soil structure, earthworm populations and waterfowl forage.

Short-eared Owl and Townsend's Vole Dynamics in Grassland Set-asides: This study identifies how vegetation structure in grassland set-asides infleunces Townsend's vole abundance and Short-eared Owl hunting behaviour. The study was conducted in 2009/10 by students from BCIT's Fish, Wildlife and Recreation Program.

 

Annual Reports:

Published annually, these reports provide historical information on the DF&WT's stewardship programs and wildlife monitoring.

2002-03 Annual Report

2003-04 Annual Report

2004-05 Annual Report

2005-06 Annual Report

2006-07 Annual Report

2007-08 Annual Report

2008-09 Annual Report

2009-10 Annual Report

2010-11 Annual Report

2011-12 Annual Report