Stewardship

A little snake got into the vineyard. It looked like a nice place to live until a tractor nearly ran him over. Then a vineyard worker surprised him. In shock, the snake fled one way, the worker the other. Vineyards can be dangerous places for snakes.

Tinhorn Creek owners, Kenn and Sandra Oldfield have embraced a multifaceted stewardship approach to protect the critters in the vineyards and the environment in their care. As a result of their efforts, TLC, The Land Conservancy (click here for more info ) has recognized Tinhorn Creek Vineyards as a Conservation Partner.

Our on-going Stewardship Programs include:

Endangered Snake Protection Program

Tinhorn Creek partnered with the South Okanagan-Similkameen Stewardship Program (SOSSP) on a Snake Pilot Project to protect snakes and workers. The project included snake barrier fencing and worker safety training.

The fence is just over a foot high. When visiting the winery, you can see the fence off to your left as you drive up the main driveway. It keeps the snakes out of the vineyard and in their natural areas.

Based on the success of this pilot project, the SOSSP reports that snake fencing is being used in many other local areas including residential developments, a resort and a hydroelectric substation. Fencing is also used to keep snakes off roadways where traffic mortalities are high.

The success of the Worker Safety workshops prompted the Agricultural Environment Partnership Initiative to fund this project for another season.

Antelope Brush Habitat Restoration Program

The Antelope Brush habitat of the South Okanagan is a fragile ecosystem. In 2004, Tinhorn Creek staff with TLC, The Land Conservancy (TLC) and SOSSP replanted over 600 native shrubs, wildflowers and bunchgrasses at the top of the Tinhorn vineyard. This was the second replanted area on the property.

In 2006, an SOSSP representative reported that there is a high survival rate of most species including sumac, rose, mock-orange, yarrow, brown-eyed Susan, sage and buckwheat. Unfortunately many of the antelope-brush plants have not survived. This is not surprising, but it is still disappointing.

Environmentally Friendly Dalmatian Toadflax Weed Control
SOSSP volunteer, Emma, releasing beetles

In June 2004, Tinhorn Creek looked for an environmentally friendly way to deal with the non-native Dalmatian Toadflax weeds. Instead of using herbicides, four hundred Mecinus Janthinus beetles were released.

The program is working. The beetles are busy doing their jobs. Most of the plants in the target area are stunted and not flowering. Boring holes in the stems indicate that the adults are laying eggs in the stems. The beetles have spread to patches of toadflax over 100 metres from of the original release site.

The goal is to establish a long-term balance between the beetle and toadflax populations. This project is a definite success.