NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area

Tags: native plants, vegetation, seeds, traditional knowledge, agriculture

Project Description: The objective of the project is to develop technologies to propagate and cultivate native plant species. The main aim is for these species to become available for commercial production and used in revegetation in the Northwest Territories. The need for native plant seed for revegetation has been identified due to increased industrial development in the territory and the need to improve land reclamation practices and environmental mitigation strategies. The main steps in this program are: approach interested organizations to form a steering and advisory committee to develop partnerships between industry, aboriginal groups and government to direct the program development; collect and identify suitable plant species; develop suitable practices for commercial production of the candidate species; identify employment and training opportunities associated with revegetation. Seed collection will be conducted during late August though to mid-September, 2005. Germination trials, field trials and greenhouse work will be initiated during the spring 2006. Field trials will be maintained for a minimum of 3 years. Throughout the winter of 2005-2006 a steering committee will be formed (composed of representatives from Government, Industry and Aboriginal Groups), which will recruit organizations to be involved with the program. Reporting for this program will likely include bi-annual reports for funding organizations and monthly communication with steering committee members. The study will be conducted in a number of different locations corresponding to areas near proposed developments such as Langley Island, Richards Island, Parson’s Lake within the ISR and east of the highway between Inuvik and Tsiigehtchic in the GSA.