| Lac du Bois Grasslands Protected Area | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Looking east across Lac du Bois Grasslands | |
  Location ofLac du Bois Grasslands in British Columbia | |
| Location | Thompson-Nicola RD,British Columbia |
| Nearest city | Kamloops |
| Coordinates | 50°46′15″N120°27′40″W / 50.77083°N 120.46111°W /50.77083; -120.46111 |
| Area | 15,712 ha (60.66 sq mi) |
| Established | 30 April 1996 |
| Governing body | BC Parks |
| Website | bcparks |
Lac du Bois Grasslands Protected Area is aprotected area located north ofKamloops inBritish Columbia,Canada. The protected area was established byBC Parks on 30 April 1996 to protect a unique mixedforest-grassland ecosystem overlooking theNorth andSouth forks of theThompson River.
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Lac du Bois Grasslands is set within the southern foothills of theBonaparte Plateau, which itself is part of the much largerInterior Plateau that bisects the province. These foothills vary in topography from gently rolling hills interspersed with small lakes and ponds to the prominent rocky cliffs overlookingKamloops Lake. The soils of this region are predominantlyalkaline.[2]
The protected area is dominated by fields ofjunegrass andbluebunch wheatgrass broken-up by small groves ofPonderosa pine andDouglas fir. These grasslands gradually transition into a forest-dominated ecosystem at higher elevations.[2]
The southernbenches, which are located in the southeastern corner of the protected area, are dominated bybig sagebrush and bluebunch wheatgrass.[2]
Resident mammal species of note includeblack bear,bighorn sheep,moose,mule deer, andwhite-tailed deer. Resident bird species of note includeflammulated owl,harrier,sharp-tailed grouse,long-billed curlew, and variouswaterfowl species. The grasslands also provide habitat forwestern rattlesnake near the northern extent of their range.[3]
Lac du Bois Grasslands is open year-round and can be accessed via Lac du Bois Road or Tranquille-Criss Creek Forest Service Road.Off-road vehicles are prohibited within the protected area. Popular activities includehiking,mountain biking,wildlife viewing,fishing, andhunting duringopen season.[3]
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