Kootenay Conservation Program is seeking a Program Assistant

Program Assistant - deadline is August 7

KCP is seeking a highly organized and tech-savvy contractor to provide support services to a broad range of KCP initiatives, including workshops, field tours, and Local Conservation Fund administration. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with excellent organizational, administrative, and communication skills, as well as an interest in conservation. The Program Assistant reports directly to the KCP Program Director and will work closely with the KCP Communications Coordinator, as well as KCP partners and supporters. This position is a part-time, 7-month contract and is flexible within the Kootenay Region. Applications are accepted until Friday, August 7 at 12 pm PT / 1 pm MT.

Click here for more details and to apply.

RDCK Local Conservation Fund 

Technical Review Committee Member, Kootenay Lake or Slocan Valley 

The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) in partnership with Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) is seeking qualified members for the RDCK Local Conservation Fund (RDCK LCF) Technical Review Committee (TRC). The volunteer role of the TRC is to make recommendations on allocating annual funding for conservation projects for RDCK Electoral Areas A, D, E, F and H. Preference will be given to those who reside in this region and have experience in water conservation and climate change. Applications are accepted until September 30.

Click here for the full volunteer posting.

Province of BC

Kootenay Lake Forest Landscape Planning - public engagement open until August 22

The Kootenay Lake Forest Landscape Planning (FLP) project is in Phase 2 of the 5-phase process for developing a FLP. This phase focuses on “values identification and assessment” for the FLP, which involves learning the values local communities place on forest ecosystems to inform future forest management approaches. The Phase 2 public engagement period for community values is now open until August 22. First Nations and the B.C. government are working together on the FLP process, and will engage jointly with communities and interested parties to gather feedback and support in designing FLPs. The Kootenay Lake FLP team is gathering feedback in-person this summer, as well as through a short survey. Questions can be directed to KootenayBoundaryFLP@gov.bc.ca. 

Click here for more info and to participate. 

Province of BC

Request for Review and Feedback: Draft Wetland and CIAS Guidance Under Development

The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS) invites feedback on a suite of draft standards, guidance documents, assessment tools, and data resources currently under development to support wetland management and activities occurring in and around streams under the Water Sustainability Act. Several documents are expected to become preferred or pilot standards for use in wetlands-related permitting and mitigation planning. Topics and deadlines are as follows: Standard Procedure for Applying the Environmental Mitigation Policy to Wetlands: Deadline Aug 31; Changes In and About a Stream (CIAS) Best Management Practices: Deadline Sept 4; Draft Wetland Environmental Mitigation Guidance: Deadline TBD; Wetland Data Tools and Resources: Deadline Dec 31; Wetland Ecosystem Services Protocol (WESP-BC): Deadline Spring 2027; Wetlands Identification and Delineation Manual: Ongoing feedback welcome. WLRS appreciates any feedback you can provide, and welcomes continued input as these materials evolve. Comments can be submitted using the document-specific surveys and comment forms or directly via email to PermittingSolutions@gov.bc.ca. 

Click here for all the draft documents and surveys / comment forms. 

Province of BC 

Cranbrook Forest Landscape Planning - public engagement open until September 25

Residents in Cranbrook, Kimberley, Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford and surrounding areas are invited to share their input about the development of the Cranbrook Forest Landscape Plan, to guide forest-management decisions in the area. The plan focuses on improving forest management for the 1.2-million-hectare Cranbrook Timber Supply Area. Public input is being collected through a public survey until September 25, and in-person events – the Cranbrook plan team will be present at farmer’s markets this summer so people can learn more about forest landscape planning and ask questions. Forest landscape plans are being developed through collaborative planning with First Nations and engagement with forest licensees, local communities and other stakeholders in each local area. The partnering First Nations in the Cranbrook plan are the Shuswap Band, ʔaq̓am, yaqan nuʔkiy, Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡiʾit First Nation, and the Ktunaxa Nation Council. Engagement with forest licensees, subject-matter experts and the public is a key part of every forest landscape plan.

Learn more and provide feedback via the survey here.

Province of BC

Work underway on three conservation planning projects 

The B.C. government is moving forward on conservation-planning processes for three new project areas, including for the Qat'muk area west of Invermere, to better protect watersheds, ecosystems and wildlife in BC. This area is of significant cultural importance to both Ktunaxa Nation and the Shuswap Band. Ktunaxa Nation has made significant efforts over three decades, in collaboration with local community and stakeholder groups, to conserve this area due to the habitat, biodiversity, and cultural values it contains, and Environment and Climate Change Canada has supported advancing these conservation interests. A conservation planning process could recommend conserving 70,000 hectares to connect the Bugaboo and Purcell Mountain Protected Areas and provide protection for important habitat and cultural and recreational values. If approved, a Qat’muk conservation area would support species at risk, healthy watersheds, grizzly bear habitat and stands of whitebark pine trees, and would improve ecological connectivity in the Purcell Mountains between existing parks and conservancy areas. On July 6, a three-year pause on applications for new mineral tenures was implemented, to support the conservation planning process and ensure that the area’s values are maintained, while this work is underway. This pause does not restrict current mining tenure holders from normal, everyday operations in the proposed conservation area.

Click here for more information. 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Recent changes to Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Regulations

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Program made the following changes to the Authorizations Concerning Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Regulations. These amendments, will come into force on October 15, as part of DFO’s implementation of actions identified in their 2025 Red Tape Review Progress Report to simplify approaches to low-risk and routine projects and streamline the approach to higher-risk and major projects, while upholding environmental standards and respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Regulations set out the requirements to apply for authorization under the Fisheries Act for works, undertakings, or activities that may result in harmful impacts to fish and fish habitat. Amendments to the Regulations are focused on better aligning application information requirements with a project’s likely risks. Over the next few months, DFO will be reaching out with additional information and materials to support Indigenous Peoples, stakeholders, and other interested groups in better understanding the regulatory changes that will come into force in October and how they will be implemented.

Click here to see the amendments. 

Wildsight

Baiba Morrow recognized with 2026 Ellen Zimmerman Award

Surrounded by mementos of a life spent exploring the great wide world, and with sweeping views over the Columbia Wetlands outside her windows, Baiba Morrow was recognized recently for a lifetime of environmental stewardship and conservation leadership. Baiba spent 12 years as president of Wildsight Invermere, helped spearhead the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, supported the restoration of a local recreational lake, as well as quietly recruiting an entire new generation of volunteers. Presented annually by Wildsight, the Ellen Zimmerman Award recognizes a woman who has made outstanding contributions to environmental conservation and education in the Upper Columbia Basin, honouring the legacy of the late Ellen Zimmerman, a tireless advocate for the Columbia Wetlands, women’s rights, and future generations. 

Read the full story here. 

Goldeneye Ecological Services & Environment and Climate Change Canada

Help find Black Swifts in Southeastern BC

Black swifts are one of Canada's most mysterious and least understood birds. They nest in small niches on steep, wet cliff faces behind or beside waterfalls, within canyon systems, near perennial seeps, and in wet inland caves. Their inaccessible nesting habitats, high-altitude foraging behaviour, and infrequent nest visits to provision their young make breeding sites exceptionally difficult to locate, limiting our understanding of the species' distribution, habitat requirements, and conservation needs. Goldeneye Ecological Services, in collaboration with Environment and Climate Change Canada's Canadian Wildlife Service, is seeking all observations of black swifts in southeastern BC, to help locate breeding sites and improve our understanding of this endangered species. If you've seen Black Swifts (and the sighting hasn't already been submitted to eBird), please send your observation—including the location, date, number of birds observed, their behaviour, and any photos or videos, if available—to info@goldeneyeecological.ca. Every observation contributes to improving our understanding and conservation of one of British Columbia's most elusive birds.

BC Nature 

Contribute your fungus finds and observations to MycoMap BC

MycoMap BC has quickly become the fastest-growing project of its kind, drawing attention across North America and beyond. Together, participants are building a robust fungal biodiversity dataset for BC—one that will help us better understand our BC mushrooms, assist taxonomists in sorting out unnamed species, and support fungal conservation by tracking how fungi respond to environmental change. You can learn more about MycoMap BC and how to contribute by watching a recorded webinar hosted by Liam Ragan from BC Nature and Elora Adamson from Mycomap BC.

Click here for more information, and here to access MycoMap BC on iNaturalist. 

Kootenay Native Plant Society 

Native Plants for Native Pollinators

The Kootenay Native Plant Society (KNPS) is excited to launch Native Plants for Native Pollinators (NP²), a new community restoration support initiative. Through NP², participating restoration projects in the West Kootenay will receive free, locally sourced native plant kits designed to supplement existing plantings. These kits are selected to enhance nectar and pollen availability and to support a diversity of native pollinator species across different habitats. This year's program specifically highlights plants that support specialist bees such as the western bumble bee. Whether you're an individual or organization restoring a wetland, enhancing a community space, stewarding Indigenous lands, managing farmland, or simply passionate about helping pollinators, KNPS would love to work with you. Please help spread the word to land stewards, restoration practitioners, and community partners who may benefit from the program. Applications are open now, with plants ready for distribution in September. 

Find more details and apply here. 

Wildsight Creston

Creston Nectar Network 

The Creston Nectar Network is a community-led conservation initiative of Wildsight Creston Valley Branch. The project aims to create a connected network of native wildflower plantings across Creston, supporting pollinators, strengthening biodiversity, and fostering a culture of ecological stewardship. The Creston Nectar Network invites participants to take part by planting small native wildflower patches of 1 square metre that together form a valley-wide web of nectar-rich habitat. By creating many small “stepping stones” of habitat for pollinators, we can make a real difference. Be part of the Creston Nectar Network and help grow pollinator habitat across the valley. Get Involved or inquire by contacting Rebecca: creston@wildsight.ca.

Find more info here. 

Nature Trust of BC has a new name an website 

New name and website

NTBC is deeply grateful for the support of their staff, volunteers, partners, and Indigenous communities, which has allowed them to protect some of BC's most ecologically significant land for over 50 years. They are excited to share a preview of what is ahead, as NTBC takes the next step in their journey. Over the past year, through market research, NTBC learned that their conservation work is valued, and that there is considerable opportunity to help the public understand who they are, what they do, and their role as an independent charitable organization. This insight helped guide the development of their new name NTBC, and a new online home at www.ntbc.com. Explore their refreshed website.

Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation

2026 Approved Stewardship Project List now available

The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) is proud to announce over $783k in funding for 45 conservation stewardship projects throughout BC. The list includes projects from HCTF’s Action, Capacity, and Community Grant programs, and includes several projects in the Kootenay region. BC Conservation Foundation and BC Community Bat Program's Bat Friendly Agriculture project will work with landowners in the Agricultural Land Reserve in Creston and other communities, to protect and support bats by promoting simple, practical bat-friendly practices on agricultural land. The Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society will receive HCTF funding for the prevention of whirling disease. Wildsight Creston Valley will also receive funding to support the Creston Nectar Network, a community-powered conservation initiative transforming small spaces into vital habitat for native pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and other indigenous wildlife. An HCTF grant is supporting the Shuswap Band’s Indigenous-Led Caribou Management Group, to restore coordinated, Nation-driven governance and advance recovery efforts for southern mountain caribou, while reclaiming and exercising Indigenous caretaker roles.

Find more info and the complete list of HCTF approved projects here. 

Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society 

Prevent invasive mussels from getting into BC

Did you know that invasive mussels are established in nearby U.S. states and Canadian provinces? These tiny invaders can hitch a ride on boats and gear, threatening BC's lakes, rivers, fisheries, recreation, and water infrastructure. The good news is that prevention works – always Clean, Drain, and Dry your watercraft and gear. Under BC's Invasive Mussel Defense Program, any watercraft that has been in a known or suspected infested waterbody within the previous 30 days is considered high risk and requires inspection and decontamination before launching in BC. If you’re bringing your boat from out-of-province, contact the Provincial Program at COS.Aquatic.Invasive.Species@gov.bc.ca to determine if your boat is high-risk and should be decontaminated (for free) for possible zebra or quagga mussels before launching it in BC waters. Every boater, paddler, angler, and water recreationist should follow the Clean, Drain, Dry protocol every time they move between waterbodies. 

Click here for more information. 

Province of BC

Biodiversity Forum for Local Governments

Calling all local governments. You are invited to share your biodiversity stewardship work on the new B.C. Biodiversity Stewardship Initiatives Map. This is a pilot year for participants of the B.C. Biodiversity Forum for Local Governments. All local government staff are welcome to join. To learn more or request access, please email BiodiversityForumforLGs@gov.bc.ca.

Goldeneye Ecological Services 

Have you seen a badger or badger burrow in the East Kootenays?

Goldeneye Ecological Services is seeking reports of American Badgers and badger burrows, particularly from higher-elevation areas of the East Kootenays. While badgers are typically associated with valley-bottom grasslands, recent observations suggest they may occur in higher-elevation habitats more frequently than previously understood. If you have seen a badger, a badger burrow, tracks, or other signs of badger activity, we'd love to hear from you. Photos, dates, and GPS coordinates are especially helpful. Your observations will contribute to ongoing research and conservation efforts aimed at supporting the recovery of this endangered species and improving our understanding of movement corridors in the region. Please send observations to info@goldeneyeecological.ca.

Click here for a poster with more info. 

Salmo Watershed Streamkeepers Society

Salmo River angler surveys

With fishing season on the Salmo River now open, the Salmo Watershed Streamkeepers Society (SWSS) is asking for your help. SWSS is conducting a voluntary, anonymous angler survey to better understand fishing pressure, angler preferences, and the overall health of the Salmo River fishery. Survey responses will provide valuable local information to support future fisheries management and conservation efforts. SWSS has over 20 years of population monitoring data for rainbow trout and bull trout, as well as temperature and discharge records, but are lacking angling information. Please help them spread the word by sharing this survey with other anglers who fish the Salmo River – information collected will also help assess whether the river is attracting increasing numbers of anglers from outside the West Kootenay, and how this may influence fishing pressure. Thank you for helping us better understand and protect this important fishery.

Access the survey here. 

Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society

Nature for Neighbourhoods program - until late October 

If you live in the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Areas A, D, E, F, or H, you can earn cash rewards for removing invasive plants like spotted knapweed, common tansy, and Scotch broom from your property. Register your property with the Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society (CKISS), and download the Crowdsorsa app – available until the end of October. Upload before-and-after videos of your work through the app, and get paid for your hard work. You can do the work yourself or have a friend, neighbour, or family member get paid to do the removal. Registration is open. 

Click here for more details and to sign up. 

Province of BC, Genome BC, Environment and Climate Change Canada

Help monitor and learn from pikas

Pikas help scientists such as Michael Russello and Leigh Anne Isaac track climate-driven changes in alpine environments. Warming temperatures and unpredictable snowpack may threaten pika populations or force them to find more suitable habitat either upslope or at higher latitudes. Scientists are tracking the resilience and adaptability of pikas, and documenting pika sightings provides vital data on changes in their distribution. Both the American (Ochotona princeps) and Collared (O. collaris) pikas are considered sentinel species for detecting climate-driven changes in alpine environments. There is great potential to use genomic tools to monitor American and collared pikas and protect them from climate change effects. Community involvement is a key part of the project. If you’re in B.C. or the Yukon, report your pika sightings directly on the Pika Patrol app.

Click here for a poster with more information. 

The Future of Reflection Lake: Community Open House & BioBlitz

August 4, Golden

Reflection Lake—one of the Columbia Wetlands’ most accessible and biologically rich sites—is facing a progressive ecological decline. The lake is becoming shallower, cattails are rapidly expanding, and organic sediment is accumulating. Without intervention, these changes increase the risk of eutrophication and could eventually cause the wetland to dry out, threatening both local biodiversity and community values. Thanks to funding from the Columbia Basin Trust (via the Town of Golden’s ReDi grant), Wildsight is launching Phase 1 of a multi-phase restoration initiative. Community engagement is at the heart of this project. Local residents, Indigenous partners, conservation organizations, and nature lovers are all invited to join for this Open House and BioBlitz. Together, we will gather data and incorporate your vision into the long-term restoration strategy. Please register in advance for this free event from 5 to 7 pm MT. 

Click here for more information and to register. 

Bigger Fish to Fry: How Responsible Fishing Prevents the Spread of Invasive Fish

August 5, Online 

Did you know that your fishing practices can make the difference between protecting our waters and unintentionally spreading invasive species? Join Kyle Scott, Education & Outreach Assistant with the East Kootenay Invasive Species Society (EKISC), for an engaging webinar exploring the impacts of aquatic invasive species and the important role anglers play in preventing their spread. Learn how invasive fish impact native ecosystems, recreation, and local economies, and how to identify, report, and properly handle invasive fish, as well as best practices before, during, and after fishing to help keep our waters healthy. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting started, this presentation will provide practical tools and knowledge to help you become a steward of our lakes and rivers. From 11 am to 12 pm PT / 12 to 1 pm MT. 

Click here for more info and to register. 

FWCP’s Introduction to the Notice of Intent for all grants

August 6, Online 

Learn more about this mandatory first step for all Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) grant applicants in the Columbia or Peace Regions. Find out how the Notice of Intent (NOI) supports First Nations engagement in your project and allows FWCP to provide you with additional guidance ahead of submitting your grant application. All grant applicants must start their application by submitting a mandatory notice of intent by September 11. From 1 to 2 pm PT / 2 to 3 pm MT. 

Join FWCP’s online information session to learn more.

Community Weed Pull

August 6, Golden 

Join Wildsight Golden for the 17th Annual Community Weed Pull along the Kicking Horse River at Confluence Park. Together, we’ll help protect one of Golden’s treasured natural areas by removing invasive plants such as spotted knapweed, western goatsbeard, and common tansy, which reduce biodiversity and impact wildlife habitat. By removing them before they spread further, native plants like mountain avens, pearly everlasting, and goldenrod have the opportunity to thrive, creating healthier ecosystems for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. Community events like this make a real difference. Every volunteer helps reduce the spread of invasive species while connecting with neighbours who care about keeping our local landscapes healthy and beautiful. Whether you’re a seasoned weed-puller or trying it for the first time, everyone of all ages and abilities is welcome. From 5 to 7 pm MT. 

Find more details and register here.

Toadfest

August 11 & 12, Summit Lake near Nakusp 

You’re invited to this free, fun family event at Summit Lake Provincial Park near Nakusp. Learn more about western toads and other local species, enjoy the kids’ activities including facepainting, help toadlets cross the road, talk to biologists, and buy a Toadfest shirt to support local stewardship activities. Hosted by the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP), with support from many partner organizations, Toadfest is held at Summit Lake Provincial Park on Tuesday August 11 from 4 to 7 pm PT, and Wednesday August 12 from 9 am to 12 pm PT.

Click here for more details and a video from last year’s Toadfest.

The Rare & the Ancient Exhibition: Defending Golden’s Inland Temperate Rainforest

August 14, Golden 

Wildsight Golden and the Art Gallery of Golden are proud to present this exhibit, featuring over 20 local artists in a collaborative, educational art display celebrating the Inland Temperate Rainforest — one of the rarest ecosystems on Earth, and right here in our backyard. This is an educational display, grounded in science and place. Each artwork will be accompanied by a short scientific statement connecting the piece to current research and local ecological knowledge. The Inland Temperate Rainforest is a living system: layered, interconnected, and often unseen. The collection of work highlights not only old-growth trees, but the full web of flora, fauna, and fungi that make this rainforest thrive. Through art, we hope to spark curiosity, learning, and conversation about what makes this ecosystem unique — and what’s at stake. Join for the opening reception from 5 to 7 pm MT, and speak with the artists. This event is free to attend and all are welcome.

Find more details here.

Invasive Species Blitz

August 16, Harrop Wetland near Nelson

Join the Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society (CKISS) and Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society (FoKLSS) for another invasive species pulling event at this special wetland. The restoration of the Harrop Wetland is an ongoing project for FoKLSS and CKISS. Learn how to ID and do hands-on removal of Canada thistle, bull thistle, and briar rose, and leave knowing you’ve made a real difference for the native plants and wildlife of the Harrop Wetland. Help protect this habitat's biodiversity and restore the ecological balance. Come with a sun hat, weather appropriate clothing, and they’ll provide the tools and snacks. From 9 to 11 am PT. 

Click here for more details.

Mini Bee School Kootenays

August 22 & 23, Rossland

Do you want to know how to ID the amazing diversity of bees buzzing around your flowers? Have you wondered where they nest, what they eat, and how you can support them? If so, consider joining the Native Bee Society of BC’s Bee Biology and Identification workshop in Rossland. Presented in partnership with the Kootenay Native Plant Society, this workshop will provide you with ID strategies for common native bees, as well as in depth information on their nesting, overwintering, and flower preferences. The next day there is the option to join a walk on Record Ridge to observe bees and their habitat. This workshop is suitable for beginner to intermediate students; we will examine bee specimens using low magnification digital microscopes, focusing on features that can be observed in the field and in photographs. We will discuss the use of iNaturalist and the NBSBC’s BC Bee Atlas as tools for supporting native bees. We will also look for examples of important native bee habitat features and discuss practical habitat conservation measures that community members can take. From 9 am to 4:30 pm PT on Saturday, and 10 am to 3 pm PT on Sunday. 

Click here for more details and to register.  

Native Bee Study Group

August 26, Online

This monthly discussion hosted by the Native Bee Society of BC is an opportunity for connecting and learning about native bees with others throughout the province. The theme this month is "August Bees and Blooms", with bonus points for Asteraceae. Share knowledge and learn from others—experts and beginners are very welcome. The format is a show and tell style, and anyone who is interested in participating can create a slide on the shared google slides deck to share with the group (link sent with registration). Photos can also be sent to bcnativebees@gmail.com, with a subject line of "Native Bee Study Group". From 7 to 8:30 pm PT / 8 to 9:30 pm MT.

Click here to register.

Meadow Creek Spawning Channel Open House

September 12, Meadow Creek

Save the date for the annual Meadow Creek Spawning Channel Open House. This free event is hosted by the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP), in partnership with the Province of BC. Talk to biologists and learn more about kokanee and the Kootenay Lake Nutrient Restoration Program. In addition to the open house, the spawning channel is open daily for viewing during the spawning season from 10 am to 2 pm. Please be aware that if there are too many bears in the area, the channel may be closed to the public by the Province of BC at any time. For more about the open house, please email fwcp@bchydro.com. The open house is from 10 am to 2 pm PT.

Click here for more information as it becomes available. 

Launch of the 3rd Edition of Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration

September 24, Online

The Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) has published the third edition of its International Principles and Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration, widely recognized as the most comprehensive guidelines for the practice of ecological restoration. Join authors of the newly published third edition of the SER Standards for a discussion of what has changed and why, from a sharper definition of ecological restoration to more rigorous measurement and expanded guidance across the full project cycle. This session has three authors presenting for half an hour followed by half an hour of audience questions. From 7 to 9 am PT. 

Click here for more details and to register. 

BC River Days

September 27

The 46th annual BC Rivers Day is happening on Sunday, September 27, with the theme "Everyone can be a River Steward". Whether your group is planning a shoreline cleanup, restoration project, community celebration, or educational event, register your event with the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (ORBC) and the BC River Days event listings. Also have a look at the micro-grant for BC Rivers Day in the Funding Opportunities section of this newsletter.

eDNA: Environmental DNA Theory and Implementation

October 1 & 2, Revelstoke 

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a proven and globally accepted method that is increasingly being used for survey of aquatic taxa. This highly effective, cost-efficient, and non-invasive method relies on the detection of genetic materials in aquatic ecosystems using laboratory analysis of water samples to detect DNA from the target taxa. Taught by professional biologist Jared Hobbs, this course is for anyone attempting to implement the eDNA methods. Jared has over 30 years of applied experience designing and leading species assessment and conservation projects at both the local and provincial scale. Since 2014, he has been applying eDNA methods into his standard practices, leading, or supporting delivery of over 80 eDNA projects in BC, Alberta, the Northwest Territories and Yukon. Initially his eDNA projects were focused on species-at-risk; more recently his focus has expanded to also include projects focused on fish and invasive species.

Click here for more details and to register. 

Overview of Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program’s Grant Intake

October 2, Online

Join the Fish & Wildlife Program (FWCP)’s virtual information session to find out more about their grants and how to align your project idea with the core elements and regional action plans. Get answers to your questions and tips to help you succeed. From 10 to 11 am PT | 11 am to 12 pm MT. 

Click here for more info and to register.

Whitebark & Limber Pine Canadian Conference

October 14 & 15, Radium Hot Springs 

Join the Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation of Canada (WPEFC) this fall! This event will bring together researchers, restoration practitioners, Indigenous knowledge holders, students, and community members who share a commitment to conserving these remarkable high-elevation species. The theme is Collaboration for Recovery: Active Management in a Changing Climate, and active restoration, innovative research, and collaborative approaches to conserve these keystone species in a changing climate, will all be explored. Day one will feature presentations, workshops, and discussions on the latest research and restoration efforts. Day two will head into the field for hands-on learning and exploration of active whitebark and limber pine restoration projects. Early bird registration is now open. Stay tuned for speaker announcements, field session details, and the upcoming call for presentations. Email WPEFC at info@whitebarkpine.ca to help plan or organize the conference. 

Click here for more information and to register.

2026 KCP Fall Gathering

October 15 & 16, Nelson

KCP’s 2026 Fall Gathering will be held in Nelson! The theme this year is “Passing the Torch: Lessons for the Next Chapter of Restoration and Stewardship.” The event will include KCP’s AGM on Thursday morning, followed by a meet and greet and catered lunch, continuing through the afternoon with presentations, the Conservation Café, and the Conservation Leadership Awards ceremony (note that the order of agenda items may change). We will meet at the Prestige Lakeside Resort in Nelson. The Friday field tour will be a full day outing to see local restoration and conservation work, with lunch provided. This event will be another great opportunity to connect with KCP partners. Early registration is now open for respresentatives from KCP partner organizations!

Click here to see highlights from past Fall Gatherings.

CMI’s Annual Researchers Forum

October 22 to 23, Rossland - proposals due by September 4

The Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology (CMI) will hold its annual Researchers’ Forum in Rossland this year. This event travels the Columbia Mountain region to gather members of the scientific community, Indigenous and provincial land managers, stewardship groups, naturalists and community members to provide updates on ecological projects taking place in the area. This is a chance to share and get caught up on everything from new restoration projects and their associated community initiatives, to ecosystem monitoring, research, field trials, and land stewardship initiatives. This gathering has an informal atmosphere where everyone is invited to attend, mix, and mingle during a day of presentations and social events on Thursday, including a dinner and evening plenary, and field tours on Friday. Anyone interested in offering a 5, 10, or 15-minute presentation, bringing a poster, or leading a local field trip should submit their proposal(s) by September 4. Registration is coming soon. 

Find more information here. 

4 Seasons of Indigenous Learning Course

Fall 2026 to Spring 2027

Beginning in the fall and running until the spring each year, this course serves to support participants in deepening their understanding of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives while strengthening connections with the local land and supporting more respectful, reciprocal relationships. You can register for Seasons 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 of the course modules and presentations, or join for the seven Indigenous learning presentations only. These seven sessions are offered by an incredible group of Indigenous Leaders, Elders and Educators from across Turtle Island (North America). For 2026/2027, presenters include veteran broadcast-journalist Shelagh Rogers, who is member of the Métis Nation, with family roots in Red River, Manitoba, and Faro Burgoyn, who sits on council for the ʔakisq̓nuk First Nation, part of the Ktunaxa Nation. KCP Partner organizations receive a 25% discount; please email megan@kootenayconservation.ca for the discount code.

Click here for more information and to register.

International Symposium of the North American Lake Management Society

November 3 to 6, Kelowna

With the annual North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) conference coming to Canada this year, the BC Lake Stewardship Society encourages everyone to consider attending the NALMS International Symposium in Kelowna this fall, the most water-scarce region of Canada. The theme is ‘Swimming Upstream: Tackling Environmental Challenges through Partnership, Innovation, & Science’. Early Bird registration closes on September 11.

Click here for more information and to register.

Camera Trap Survey Design and Data Management

November 11 to 14, Revelstoke 

The number of projects employing camera traps to understand ecological phenomena is growing rapidly – as are the number of statistical tools to analyze the resultant data. Consequently, the management and analysis of camera trap data can seem complex and overwhelming. This course aims to guide participants in effective ways to store, manipulate and analyze camera trap data. Course content includes data storage and exploration best practices, and introductions to the major methods used to analyze camera trap data – all using real world camera data. The course will give participants the tools to manage, analyze and share camera trap data in an approachable and practical way. Participants can register for Day 1 only, or the entire course. 

Click here for more details and to register. 

Micro-grant for BC Rivers Day

Deadline: August 31

This year's theme for BC Rivers Day is "Everyone Can Be a River Steward". The Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (ORCBC) is pleased to offer the BC Rivers Day micro grant program in its third year, supported by FortisBC, the BC Parks License Plate Program and TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. Microgrants are small, one-time cash payments of $300 to help groups host BC Rivers Day events in their community. The goals of BC Rivers Day include public awareness of water benefits and/or issues, encouraging environmental stewardship, and community engagement. BC Rivers Day typically features a variety of events and activities, such as clean-ups, invasive species pulls, educational workshops, recreational activities, and community celebrations, all aimed at fostering greater appreciation and responsibility toward BC's rivers. Micro-grants are open to registered non-profit organizations or charities working in outdoor recreation, waterway protection, or environmental stewardship; local governments; and Indigenous governments.

Find more information and apply here.

Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program Columbia Region multi-year grants 

Deadline: November 2 (Notice of Intent due September 11) 

The Fish & Wildlife Program (FWCP)’s annual grant intake is open for current FWCP-funded projects in year one or more of a multi-year project. FWCP funds projects that conserve and enhance fish and wildlife in watersheds impacted by BC Hydro dams.⁠ Grant applications for new projects in the Columbia Region will not be accepted in 2026, as the board paused applications for new projects this year due to increasing delivery costs, with plans to resume the intake of grant applications for new projects in 2027. If you are eligible to apply for an annual grant this year, note that the mandatory Notice of Intent (NOI) is due September 11, with an NOI information session on August 6. Apply by Monday, November 2 at 4 pm PT / 5 pm MT.

⁠Click here for more info, and here for the Columbia Region Guidance document.

Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC Beneficial Management Practices

Deadline: Ongoing until funding is committed

The Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) of the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC provides funding for projects and plans to improve a farm's environmental and sustainability goals. Through targeted investments, the BMP program supports producers by helping them reduce costs, improve operational efficiency and enhance long-term farm and ranch viability. Specific categories of BMP funding include biodiversity, riparian and grazing, and more. Applications will open for some categories on March 4 and are accepted until funding is fully subscribed. 

Click here for more details and to apply.

Small-scale Ecosystem Grants

Deadline: Ongoing until funding is committed

Do you have a small-scale project, that can be completed in two years or less, that helps improve ecological health and native biodiversity in the Basin? Small-scale Ecosystem grants are available to enhance a terrestrial and/or aquatic ecosystem, such as wetlands, fish habitat, forests or grasslands. Eligible applicants include registered non-profits, local governments and First Nations in the Columbia Basin Trust region. Applications are accepted on a first-received, first-served basis and are assessed as they come in and continue until all funding for the program has been committed. Contact the Trust to enquire about your project, email Melissa Johnson at ecosystems@ourtrust.org.

Click here for more information and to apply. 

Climate Change Grants, Peter Gilgan Foundation

Deadline: Ongoing

The Peter Gilgan Foundation's Climate Change Grants support nature-based solutions, low-emission and renewable technologies, green building and living, and community resilience. Understanding that greenhouse gas emissions are the driver of climate change, they prioritize projects with the potential to enable large-scale emission reductions in Canada. For the nature-based solutions category, the Foundation supports initiatives that protect and restore priority ecosystems, support Indigenous lands and protected areas, enhance natural infrastructure in our built environment, and/or decarbonize Canada’s agriculture and forestry sectors. The Foundation accepts applications for 3 types of grants: project grants, capacity-building grants, or general operating grants. Climate change grants typically range between $50,000 and $150,000 per year. There are no deadlines for the climate change program; expressions of Interest are accepted on a rolling basis.

Click here for more information and to apply. 

Grassland and Rangeland Enhancement Program

Deadline: Ongoing

If you have an idea that will maintain or enhance grassland resources while meeting conservation, environment and recreation objectives, this program could help support it. This program is delivered by the Kootenay Livestock Association. The Grassland and Rangeland Enhancement Program (GREP) aims to promote the stewardship of grassland resources, maintain and enhance biodiversity and long-term fish and wildlife productivity in public grassland ecosystems, and improve compatibility between livestock management and recreation use.

Click here for more information and how to apply.

Columbia Basin Trust - Non-Trust Granting Directory

Resource for download

The Columbia Basin Trust recognizes that many projects require collaboration, additional partners and substantial funding. To assist with this, they’ve created a database of granting agencies and government grant programs that you can refer to, and made it available for download on their website.  

Click here for more information and click here to download the directory. 

Kootenay Conservation Program

Program Assistant, Kootenay region

KCP is seeking a highly organized and tech-savvy contractor to provide support services to a broad range of KCP initiatives, including workshops, field tours, and Local Conservation Fund administration. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with excellent organizational, administrative, and communication skills, as well as an interest in conservation. The Program Assistant reports directly to the KCP Program Director and will work closely with the KCP Communications Coordinator, as well as KCP partners and supporters. This position is a part-time, 7-month contract and is flexible within the Kootenay Region. Applications are accepted until Friday, August 7 at 12 pm PT / 1 pm MT.

Click here for more details and to apply.

East Kootenay Invasive Species Society 

Program Assistant, East Kootenay

The East Kootenay Invasive Species Society (EKISC) is looking for a part-time, year-round Program Assistant to join their team. This flexible, home-based position is ideal for someone with strong organizational and communication skills who is passionate about biodiversity, conservation, and protecting the East Kootenays from invasive species. You'll support grants, administration, communications, events, partnerships, and invasive species programs, with occasional opportunities to get out in the field. If you're looking for a rewarding role where you can make a meaningful impact in your community, EKISC would love to hear from you. Applications are accepted as soon as possible. 

Learn more and apply here. 

Wildsight

Communications and Engagement Lead, Columbia Basin

As the Communications and Engagement Lead for Wildsight, you’ll provide strategic leadership for the communications and engagement team, ensuring cohesive messaging, effective campaigns, strong public presence, and meaningful opportunities for people to engage with Wildsight’s work. Leading the Communications and Engagement team of three includes managing Wildsight’s traditional media profile, working with campaign and program leads to identify and deliver day-to-day communications, managing content and engagement needs, and stewarding the Wildsight brand. You will join a team that is passionate about protecting nature, dedicated to making positive change, and committed to learning and growing. The successful candidate will be able to work from their home office in the Columbia Basin region, with occasional travel. Candidates living in Kimberley can work at Wildsight’s head office. The deadline for applications has been extended to August 7.

Click here for more information and to apply.

RDCK Local Conservation Fund 

Technical Review Committee Member, Kootenay Lake or Slocan Valley 

The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) in partnership with Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) is seeking qualified members for the RDCK Local Conservation Fund (RDCK LCF) Technical Review Committee (TRC). The volunteer role of the TRC is to make recommendations on allocating annual funding for conservation projects for RDCK Electoral Areas A, D, E, F and H. Preference will be given to those who reside in the Kootenay Lake area (Electoral Areas A, D, E, and F) or the Slocan Valley (Electoral Area H) and have experience in water conservation and climate change. Applications are accepted until September 30.

Click here for the full volunteer posting.

Land Trust Alliance of British Columbia 

Executive Director, Flexible within BC

The Land Trust Alliance of British Columbia (LTABC) represents 35 land trust members across the province. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director provides strategic, operational, and financial leadership to advance the LTABC’s mission, deepen community awareness and impact, and strengthen long-term sustainability of the organization. The ideal candidate is a collaborative and visionary leader with a passion for land conservation and has a strong track record in relationship building, nonprofit leadership, and community engagement. The Executive Director represents the LTABC provincially in BC and federally across Canada and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the LTABC, which are guided by the Strategic Plan and Board of Directors. The position location is flexible within BC, preferably within easy travel distance of Vancouver and/or Victoria, because travel to community events is expected. Applications accepted as soon as possible. 

Click here for more information and to apply. 

Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network

Wild Voices Community Educator

Are you a forester or geographer? A biologist or mountain guide? A historian or holder of traditional knowledge? Do you have some unique knowledge, skill, or expertise you can share with students? If so, Wild Voices for Kids, a program of the Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network, would like to connect with you! Each educator brings their own unique knowledge of environment or natural history, adds their passion for education, and creates classroom or field-based programs that will both captivate students and satisfy the learning objectives of teachers. For more information, see link below, or email the Wild Voices program manager at education@cbeen.org.

Click here for more information.

Elk River Alliance 

Volunteers wanted: Restoration, Monitoring & Outreach, Elk Valley 

Elk River Alliance (ERA) relies on passionate and dedicated community members to help them make a difference. This year ERA needs you more than ever to help with fundraising, outreach, and restoration efforts in the field. Contribute to building a more science-conscious Elk Valley community by helping with education and outreach. ERA’s Cottonwood Restoration Program aims to plant native species on shorelines to stabilize the river bank and restore fish and wildlife habitat. Volunteers are needed to transplant plants and restore the ecosystem, as well as to conduct high-quality assessments of streams within the watershed.

Click here for more information.

Modeling road mortality risks to BC’s Western Toads (Anaxyrus boreas)

Marcy Mahr, Noah Marshall, et. al. 

A recent study by ecologist Marcy Mahr and other researchers, published in the Canadian Journal of Zoology, highlights how roadkill drives global amphibian declines, though its long-term impacts are rarely documented. By studying western toads near a BC highway, the researchers found that even a small increase in traffic resulting from future development and recreational pressures directly raises toad deaths. The high sensitivity to traffic levels and rapid transition from healthy to endangered raises concerns for similar populations worldwide. To protect them and similar species, building "toad tunnels" under highways must become a top priority. 

Read about the study here. 

Pronounced Genetic Structure Associated With Differences in a Reproductive Trait and Climatic Barriers in Canadian Populations of the Western Toad (Anaxyrus boreas)

Jayna C. Bergman, Juan Enciso-Romero, et. al. 

Bergman and her team of researchers from the University of Ottawa ventured through ponds, wetlands and lakes across BC and Alberta to collect genetic samples from toads and tadpoles. After analyzing tissue samples from more than 30 sites, researchers learned that in addition to their different geographic distribution, Canada’s calling and non-calling western toads are genetically distinct. Testing also surprisingly revealed the existence of a third and previously undescribed genetic group of western toad that inhabits the southern Canadian Rocky Mountains in southwestern Alberta and southeastern BC. The researchers say additional studies will be needed to confirm if the new group’s range extends south into Montana, and whether or not they behave more like their calling or non-calling toad relatives.

Find the report here in the Journal of Diversity and Distributions, and a related article here. 

Broad-scale models of a foundational alpine insect: Implications for grizzly bear ecology and conservation

Erik Peterson, John S. Waller, et. al. 

Alpine regions provide temporary habitats for many species and support complex food webs. These ecosystems are poorly described and threatened by anthropogenic stressors. The army cutworm moth (ACM) migrates great distances to aggregate in talus slopes of the Rocky Mountains during summer months. Their high energy content is attractive to grizzly bears, which ascend mountains to consume them. From 2019 to 2021, the researchers implemented two survey techniques to elucidate grizzly bear-ACM interactions across 40 peaks in Glacier National Park, Montana. They also determined that ACM occurrence was the most influential predictor of grizzly bear foraging. Their models can help park managers develop access management strategies to limit recreational impacts on moth-foraging grizzlies. Given the importance of talus characteristics for ACM occurrence, finer-level talus characterization is needed for this foundational alpine insect, which is consumed by a variety of other species, in addition to grizzlies.

Read the full report here, and a related article here. 

What we Heard Engagement Report for Goat River Watershed Water Sustainability Planning

Regional District of Central Kootenay

The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK), in collaboration with yaqan nuʔkiy, is doing water sustainability planning to respond to growing concerns about water availability in the Goat River Watershed (includes the communities of Canyon, Erickson, Kitchener, Lister, Town of Creston, West Creston, Wynndel, and yaqan nuʔkiy). This effort aims to protect the health and resilience of the local watersheds that support communities, ecosystems, and economies. This report brings together what was heard through engagement carried out in 2025 and into early 2026 regarding the Goat River Watershed Water Sustainability Planning, including a Water Values Survey, six open houses, the engage page, and a dedicated producer engagement initiative including on-farm visits with 15 producers. Together, these engagement streams reached a broad cross-section of residents, agricultural producers, and community members.

Click here for more information and here to access the report. 

Wasa Lake Water Quality Summary Report

BC Lake Stewardship Society, Ministry of Environment and Parks

Through the BC Lake Stewardship and Monitoring Program (BCLSM), volunteers from the Wasa Lake Land Improvement District recently completed a Level 1 enhanced BCLSM. Wasa Lake was monitored between 2022 and 2024, and there is also some limited historical data available through a past BCLSM Program conducted between 2004 and 2006. Data collected through the current program showed warm surface water temperatures, surpassing the preferred range for salmonid species (>18 °C) deeper into the water column through each of the current years of monitoring. If increased heat penetration is a pattern in the lake, it could have many implications for the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of Wasa Lake, so this should be monitored going forward. In addition, current dissolved oxygen depletion levels in the lake are possibly indicative of a mesotrophic or eutrophic lake. When considering this, coupled with the large algal blooms that Wasa has experienced in recent years, a Level 3 BCLSM program is recommended to provide more insight into the current trophic status of Wasa Lake. 

Access the full report here. 

Wildlife responses to nonmotorized recreation in the Southern Canadian Rockies: a multiscale analysis near Fernie, BC

Clayton Lamb and Emily Chow

Human outdoor recreation is expanding across natural landscapes, yet its effects on wildlife remain poorly understood across spatial and temporal scales and across different contexts. The authors assessed the responses of large mammals to nonmotorized recreation near Fernie, using a multiscale observational approach combining data from 66 camera traps and GPS telemetry from 21 grizzly bears (Ursus arctos). They evaluated the following: (1) how wildlife detections varied by trail type, relative to the broader landscape, and with varying levels of recreational users; (2) whether animals shifted activity to avoid peak human use; and (3) how collared grizzly bear movement responded to recreation trails compared to other anthropogenic features. The results have also informed an Infographic. 

Access the report here. 

Incomplete protection of critical habitat still plagues southern mountain caribou in BC

Eric C. Palm, Tim Burkhart, et. al. 

Since their 2003 listing under Canada's federal Species at Risk Act (SARA), 15 subpopulations of southern mountain caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) have been functionally extirpated (Lamb et al., 2024). In 2020, the authors published an article explaining why the Government of Canada has so far been unwilling to exercise its authority under SARA to protect southern mountain caribou critical habitat on non-federal lands in BC, and found that 909 km2 of provincially managed critical habitat were logged between 2014 and 2019 following its legal identification under SARA in 2014. In the absence of non-discretionary protection on provincial land, critical habitat protection for southern mountain caribou would have to rely on alternative mechanisms such as intergovernmental agreements and the establishment of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas. 

Access the impact paper here. 

3rd Edition: International Principles and Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration

Society for Ecological Restoration

The Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) has published the third edition of its International Principles and Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration, widely recognized as the most comprehensive guidelines for the practice of ecological restoration. The conversation has shifted from why to how. This edition sharpens the definition of ecological restoration, strengthens its emphasis on Indigenous Knowledge and the people involved in and affected by restoration, introduces more rigorous measurement and clearer performance thresholds, and aligns more closely with global frameworks, including Target 2 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Join the authors for a virtual launch of the SER standards third edition, on September 24.

Read or download the third edition.

Fish habitat restoration priority planning - Pacific region

Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is pleased to share the release of the Fish Habitat Restoration Priority Planning for Pacific Region (restoration priorities plan), a new foundational guide to support aquatic habitat restoration across B.C. and the Yukon. It identifies regional restoration goals and objectives applicable to all fish species and all aquatic habitats from headwaters to nearshore marine environments. The restoration priorities plan also provides guidance on how to set habitat restoration priorities that address habitat degradation and highlights the importance of planning and working across geographic and jurisdictional boundaries. This plan reflects years of collaboration, dialogue, and shared learning with First Nations, restoration practitioners, governments, non-governmental organizations, and community partners.

Access the restoration priorities plan here. 

Guide to Species at Risk in the Slocan Valley & Bonanza Biodiversity Corridor

Slocan Lake Stewardship Society & Slocan River Streamkeepers

Ecologists Ryan Durand and Tyson Ehlers, working with the Slocan Lake Stewardship Society & Slocan River Streamkeepers through the Kootenay Connect Priority Places Initiative, created a Guide to Species at Risk in the Slocan Valley & Bonanza Biodiversity Corridor. The 137-page report introduces most of the species at risk (SAR) known to occur in the Slocan Watershed, focusing on the more obscure and understudied species. It is based on the collective knowledge of local biologists who have studied the watershed for decades, and a concentrated effort over the last 7 years of this Kootenay Connect Priority Places project to collect and summarize all known SAR records. This initial guide is intended to be a living document to build upon, share and provide guidance to all communities, residents, tenure holders and stewardship groups. 

Click here to view the guide.

Kootenay Connect Priority Places Impact Report

Kootenay Conservation Program

Kootenay Connect Priority Places has been addressing the dual crises of decreasing biodiversity and intensified climate disruption in the Kootenay region, for seven years, across seven landscapes. Applying leading-edge practices, the initiative has supported a team of over 40 local partners and specialists with habitat-based projects in priority ecological corridors across the Kootenays. Species recovery depends on habitat recovery: these efforts have improved the overall capacity of wetlands, riparian areas, grasslands, and forests to withstand, recover and bounce back from stressors and major disturbances. This report shares the impact of Kootenay Connect Priority Places. It celebrates the remarkable work of local champions and partners—working together for the place we all call home, now and for the future.

Click here to view the Impact Report.

KCP Stewardship Solutions Toolkit

Resource updated with growing number of stewardship listings

Since 2019, KCP's Stewardship Solutions Toolkit, an easy-to-access stewardship resource for landowners and land managers in the Kootenays, has been available both in print and online. We keep this resource up to date, and encourage you to access all the available stewardship "solutions" (i.e. services and resources) available in each of the 14 Conservation Neighbourhoods. Visit the website, select your location on the homepage map, and you'll be brought to the growing list of stewardship options available in your region.

Visit the Stewardship Solutions website.