Course description

Soil bioengineering is an applied science that uses live plant materials, rocks, soil and landscape elements to perform an engineering function such as slope stabilization, soil erosion control or seepage control.

Topics to covered include:

• Factors involved in successful restoration
• Successional reclamation, with discussion of tools such as:
• Wattle fences can be used to treat steep slopes. The terracing reduces erosion while the wood cuttings grow to provide a vegetative cover on the slope.
• Live staking: taking live cuttings of shrubs and staking them in the ground where there is a lack of vegetation along eroding stream banks. The clippings will re-sprout and establish new vegetation.
• Soil bioengineering techniques
• Regional differences in climate, soils, hydrology, plant types, and growing seasons
• Maintenance and monitoring.

Course Format

• Day One: A classroom session to be held in Revelstoke (location TBA).
• Day Two: A field session near the Arrowhead ferry landing to give participants hands-on experience with a restoration project.