Limestone Islands Wildlife Management Area
About This Wildlife Management Area
Date Designated: July 13, 1988 (OIC 1353/88)
Purpose of Wildlife Management Area: Management of habitat for seabirds and marine mammals.
Size: 64 hectares
Region: Skeena
Nature and Culture
Wildlife
The WMA includes a rare Ancient Murrelet seabird colony and nesting habitat for Pigeon Guillemot, Cassin's Auklet and Fork-Tailed Storm Petrels. Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Saw-Whet Owls, Sitka Deer and River Otter also utilize the islands.
Physiography, Climate And Vegetation
The WMA consists of both East Limestone Island (48 ha) and West Limestone Island (16 ha). Generally, the topography of the islands consists of ridges with steep slopes and cliffs towards the shoreline. The vegetation is mainly temperate coniferous forest, dominated by Sitka Spruce and Western Hemlock, with varying amounts of Western Red Cedar and Shore Pine. Small areas of non-forest habitat occur along the shorelines, especially where exposed to prevailing storm winds, and these support swards of forbs and low shrubs, or tussock grass meadows of Nootka Reedgrass. The islands lie on limestone outcrops that afford numerous protected habitats for plants in the form of steep cliffs and limestone karst features. Native plants include Yellow Cedar and eight species of wildflowers, including Cut-leaved Anemone, Broad-petalled Gentian and Jacob’s Ladder. Both racoons and introduced red squirrels have had enormous impacts on seabird and songbird populations on the islands.
Compatible Resource And Recreation Uses
Laskeek Bay Conservation Society (LBCS) holds a permit to conduct scientific research on East Limestone Island and surrounding areas. Researchers are authorized to build and maintain cabins and tent sites for accommodation, and to mark and maintain research trails. Public access to East Limestone Island is through educational and interpretive programs offered by LBCS, and is limited in order to reduce impacts to nesting seabirds.
Management Planning
Management Planning not available at this time.
Management Partners:
