Morel Mushroom Harvestings Program

The Morel Mushroom Harvest Program was part of a multi-stage Emergency Land Management Program run by the Secwépemc Territorial Patrol (the “Program”).  The Elephant Hill Wildfire Recovery Joint Leadership Council (EHWRJLC) is to develop management strategies and coordinate the delivery of the Program as part of a broader network of Secwépemc-led initiatives.

The Secwépemc Territorial Patrol (STP) successfully implemented a management strategy to mitigate the ecological and human health impacts resulting from the commercial mushroom harvest in the Elephant Hill Fire. The Program provided environmental services and emergency response planning and coordination, protecting the integrity of the land while increasing the health and safety of land users and the public. This was done in the absence of Provincial management strategies or regulations.

THE PATROL:

• Managed and provided services for 25 approved camps throughout Secwépemc traditional territory
• Safely disposed of 12,500 gallons of sewage waste and an estimated 14,760 lbs of mixed garbage and recyclables
• Responded to 25 Critical Incidents in the field
• Issued 352 permits and managed the influx of an estimated 700 commercial and recreational mushroom harvesters, buyers and processors

The SRSS continues to support communities in Morel Mushroom Territorial Patrol efforts.