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Vegreville, Alberta, Canada
June 12, 2008
It's seeding season across the prairies, and that includes many
former industrial sites being reclaimed and re-vegetated. A new
variety of needlegrass developed by the
Alberta Research Council
(ARC) promises to make that reclamation process a bit easier.
 Grouse
Green Needlegrass, a native perennial prairie grass, will be
commercially available from
BrettYoung within two years.
Besides being a natural component of the Canadian mixed grass
prairie, a number of characteristics make Grouse Green
Needlegrass desirable for land reclamation, explains Jay
Woosaree, leader of ARC's native plant development project. "Our
variety has far greater germination rates than needlegrass in
the wild. It establishes well and grows quickly, and can
self-seed and perpetuate itself well. It also forms a
well-developed deep root system, which makes it a good soil
stabilizer. When full-grown, it stands one to two metres tall
and creates good habitat for wildlife."
Woosaree adds, that year over year the large plant's decomposing
leaves help build organic composition in the soil, which can
encourage other native plants to become established.
ARC is one of the few Canadian organizations developing suitable
native plant varieties for the reclamation industry. ARC is
already the exclusive licensee for 15 native plant cultivars.
Woosaree says more varieties are under development.
"Because Grouse Green Needlegrass is a Canadian variety,
companies reclaiming land in Canada can have confidence in the
performance of this grass. It is well suited to conditions on
the Canadian prairies," says Gloria Weir, reclamation regional
account manager for BrettYoung. She notes the company has
carried other varieties of green needlegrass in the past, but
never before from a certified Canadian source.
Support for ARC's native plant development comes from the
Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP), the Small
Explorers and Producers Association of Canada (SEPAC), Husky
Energy Inc., Talisman Energy Inc., Alberta Sustainable Resources
Development and BrettYoung.
The Alberta Research Council
Inc. (ARC) delivers innovative science and technology solutions
that meet the priorities of industry and government in Alberta
and beyond. Established in 1921, ARC is wholly-owned by the
Government of Alberta and incorporated as a not-for-profit
corporation. ARC operates in five facilities throughout Alberta,
serving the energy; life sciences, including agriculture,
environment, forestry, and health and wellness; and
manufacturing sectors. |
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