Kootenay Conservation Program is Hiring! 

Program Assistant - deadline is February 13

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 Funds. 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, 12-month contract and is flexible within the Kootenay Region. Applications are accepted until Friday, February 13 at 12 pm PT / 1 pm MT.

Click here for more details and to apply.

KCP and CMI present 2026 Winter Webinar Series

Webinars continue this month

Each year KCP offers a webinar series to facilitate the sharing of technical resources among partners and others so that local conservation activities consider the best available information and practices. The 2026 webinar series is once again be hosted in partnership with the Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology (CMI), on the theme of “Lessons for the Next Chapter of Restoration & Stewardship in the Columbia Basin”. This year’s webinar series is designed to honour the legacy and capture the extensive knowledge of senior restoration and stewardship professionals in the Columbia Basin. As many of these experts approach retirement, this series provides a timely platform for intergenerational knowledge exchange. Presenters will reflect on key lessons from their careers in ecological restoration, land stewardship, and ecosystem monitoring, emphasizing important insights that can and should inform future restoration efforts. The series includes presenters who are both preparing to "pass the torch," and some who have effectively "taken the torch": Dr. Stewart Rood, Audrey Ehman, Randy Harris, Delaney Hall, and Dr. Suzanne Bayley. Thanks to the generous support of our core funders, CMI, the Okanagan Nation Alliance, Teck, LGL Limited, and Ecoscape Environmental Consultants, this series is offered free of charge. Note that the recordings of the first two webinars are available to watch on our YouTube channel.

Click here for more information and to register.

Conservation Ambassador Training Module 7 Now Available! 

Module 7 available on Google Classroom

KCP is pleased to announce that our new module of Conservation Ambassador Training, "Stewarding for Preventing and Managing Invasive Plants" with Laurie Frankcom (Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society) and Brittany Eliadis (East Kootenay Invasive Species Council), is now available for viewing. This interactive training module complements KCP's existing six-part Conservation Ambassador Training series available on Google Classroom. Thank you to our wonderful presenters and all of our participants for joining us to learn the practical side of land stewardship by providing tips on how to open up a conversation and talk to landowners about invasive plants, what resources are available for private landowners to identify and manage invasive plants on their properties, how invasive plants are prioritized for treatment in the region, and the wealth of resources to draw upon from invasive species organizations in the Kootenays.

Click here for more information and to join the Google Classroom.

Kootenay Lake Forest Landscape Planning Project

Public Input Encouraged until February 13 

BC is changing how forests are managed, with a focus on ecosystem health and community well-being. A local partnership between the Province of B.C. and First Nation governments is in development for the Kootenay Lake Forest Landscape Plan (FLP). The contributing First Nations in the Kootenay Lake FLP are: yaqan nuʔkiy, Shuswap Band, Adams Lake Band, Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw, and Ktunaxa Nation Council Society. The Kootenay Lake FLP initiative focuses on improving forest management for the 1.2 million-hectare Kootenay Lake Timber Supply Area (TSA) in southeastern BC, with a current allowable annual cut of 550,000 cubic metres. This initiative brings together Indigenous knowledge systems, Western science, and community perspectives to guide forest management in a way that reflects First Nations values and promotes long-term sustainability. The project is in the early planning stage, and public input is encouraged. Note that the Kootenay Lake TSA includes the communities of Nelson, Creston and Kaslo. Include your input by filling out the short survey by February 13. 

Click here for more details and access the survey here. 

BC Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship

Seeking public input on proposed hunting regulation updates, until Feb. 13

All people in B.C. are invited to give input on proposed updates to hunting and trapping regulations for 2026-28. Every two years, the Province reviews hunting and trapping regulations to support sustainable wildlife management and respect First Nations’ harvest rights, as well as balance conservation with economic and recreational opportunities. Proposed changes are informed by the best-available science and Indigenous Knowledge, and developed through consultation and engagement with First Nations, hunters and stakeholder organizations. People are encouraged to review the proposed changes and provide feedback through the Angling, Hunting and Trapping Engagement website. Public engagement on the proposed 2026-28 hunting and trapping regulations is open until February 13 at 4:30 pm PT / 5:30 pm MT. 

Click here for more information. 

Province of BC

Elk Valley Resources Fording River Extension project - public engagement period until February 15

EVR Operations Limited (Elk Valley Resources) proposes extending the lifespan of Fording River Operations, a coal mine located approximately 15 km NE of Elkford. The Fording River Extension project is in the process planning phase. In this phase, the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO), in coordination with the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC), works with First Nations, technical experts, other government agencies and stakeholders to develop a plan for how the environmental assessment will be carried out. The EAO and IAAC are seeking public feedback on the draft process order and other documents related to the assessment. These detail the scope of what will be looked at in the assessment, the information and data required, timelines and how participants will work together. The public engagement period is open until February 15. 

Click here for more information. 

Real Estate Foundation of BC

Nominations open for 2026 Land Awards - until March 5

The Real Estate Foundation of BC (REFBC) invites you to nominate an outstanding project or remarkable leader for the 2026 Land Awards. The Land Awards celebrate big ideas and bold leadership in sustainable, equitable, and socially just land use and real estate across BC. The awards recognize outstanding projects and remarkable leaders that protect the lands and waters we love and create sustainable, inclusive, and resilient communities. There are five categories for projects, including Land Use and Conservation, and two categories for individuals. The deadline to make a nomination is March 5. 

Click here for more details. 

BC Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship

Ninth chronic wasting disease case confirmed near Jaffray

In early January, the ninth confirmed case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in B.C. was confirmed in a deer harvested near the East Kootenay community of Jaffray, highlighting the importance of continued surveillance. CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects cervids, including deer, elk, moose and caribou. The disease poses a significant long-term risk to wildlife populations and ecosystem health. This newly confirmed case was detected through testing of hunter-harvested animals within B.C.’s established CWD management zone in the Kootenay region. All confirmed cases in the province to date have been identified through surveillance efforts, and hunter participation plays a key role in these efforts. Sample submissions from harvested animals support early detection and help inform ongoing management and response actions.

Click here for more information. 

Living Lakes Canada

Groundwater Report Flags At-Risk Aquifers and Monitoring Gaps in the Columbia Basin

A new scientific assessment commissioned by Living Lakes Canada reveals that most high priority aquifers in the region are not being monitored. Featured in Living Lakes’ latest Watershed Bulletin, the assessment found that 15 percent of mapped aquifers were flagged as high priority for monitoring based on water demand, proximity to communities, and agricultural use. Alarmingly, 80 percent of these high-priority aquifers are not currently monitored, despite their importance for local communities. Several at-risk hotspots were identified, including the Baynes Lake area, Sparwood and Fernie areas, and southwest of Golden. These findings reaffirm the value of existing monitoring and provide a roadmap for expanding future monitoring efforts.

Click here to view the full Watershed Bulletin.  

Columbia Basin Climate Source

Giving Nature a Leg Up on Climate Change

Kootenay Connect Priority Places, an initiative of Kootenay Conservation Program and funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada, was featured in the Columbia Basin Climate Source November/December Newsletter, to help share inspiring stories of climate action from across the Basin. Columbia Basin Climate Source, a project of Columbia Basin Trust, is developed and managed in partnership with Selkirk Innovates. The newsletter features projects that have taken place in the Bonanza Biodiversity Corridor, as well as the climate change vulnerability assessments completed by West Kootenay conservation ecologist Greg Utzig.

Access the newsletter here.

Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society

Whirling disease surveys open for public

The Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society (CKISS) has launched a public survey to assess awareness and knowledge of Whirling Disease, an aquatic invasive parasite. Discovered in B.C.’s Yoho National Park in 2023, Whirling Disease poses a serious threat to juvenile populations of salmonids, whitefish, and species at risk such as westslope cutthroat trout, bull trout, and kokanee. Once established, the parasite has no available treatment, making prevention and containment the only effective methods of control. The goal with this survey is to better understand the current level of public awareness around Whirling Disease, and information collected will help guide future outreach, prevention, and containment strategies to protect the incredible aquatic ecosystems of the Central Kootenay region. For more information on whirling disease, visit www.gov.bc.ca/whirlingdisease OR email WhirlingDisease@gov.bc.ca. 

Click here for more information and to access the surveys. 

World Wetlands Day with Ducks Unlimited Canada

February 2, online 

This World Wetlands Day, join Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) for the North American premiere of Mission to Marsh. Experience this award-winning documentary from home and explore how wetlands across the Americas support wildlife, culture and communities. Featuring three current and former DUC projects, the film showcases the impact of wetland conservation and why conserving these vital landscapes matters. The virtual screening includes a live Q&A with filmmakers Anni and Alex Kornelsen on February 2 at 4:30 pm PT / 5:30 pm MT. 

Click here to sign up and click here for more information on wetlands.

Ending the Great Water Giveaway: Modernizing Industrial Water Rates in BC

February 4, Online 

This webinar is part of the BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF)’s Wetland Institute Speaker Series. B.C.’s water and watersheds are being pushed to the brink, putting the health, security, and economic prosperity of communities across the province at risk. This session explores why watershed security must be a critical priority in BC right now, and how ending the Great Water Giveaway by modernizing industrial water rates could provide stable, long-term funding for healthier watersheds, resilient communities, and local jobs. Drawing on new research from the Watershed Security Coalition, the presenters will examine how aligning BC’s industrial water rates with other provinces could strengthen water management, reduce disaster costs, and protect the freshwater systems that underpin the province’s future. The live webinar is from 12 to 1 pm PT / 1 to 2 pm MT.

Click here for more details and to register. 

KCP Winter Webinar Series: Restoring Grasslands in the Rocky Mountain Trench

February 5, Online

Join forester, Randy Harris, as he outlines how grassland and fire resilience science aligns with traditional First Nation land stewardship activities and how learnings from this local initiative are being disseminated province-wide. Randy will discuss this work in the context of the Rocky Mountain Trench Ecosystem Restoration program which was created in 1995 as part of the Kootenay Boundary Higher Level Plan as a partial solution to a thirty-year conflict over a forage/grass shortage in the Trench. Ecosystem Restoration (ER) is the process of directing a damaged ecosystem back to a state of health. The live webinar is at 12 pm PT / 1 pm MT.

Click here for more information and to register.

Open House: Fording River Extension project 

February 5, Elkford

EVR Operations Limited (Elk Valley Resources) proposes extending the lifespan of Fording River Operations, a coal mine located approximately 15 kms NE of Elkford. The Fording River Extension project is in the process planning phase. In this phase, the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO), in coordination with the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC), works with First Nations, technical experts, other government agencies and stakeholders to develop a plan for how the environmental assessment will be carried out. The EAO and IAAC are seeking public feedback on the draft process order and other documents related to the assessment. An in-person Open House will be held at the Elkford Community Conference Centre from 3 to 6:30 pm MT. 

Click here for more information. 

Film Night: Snk'mip Dig Deeper

February 7, Burton

Arrow Lakes Environmental Stewardship Society in partnership with Autonomous Sinixt are hosting this Film Night. Three films will be shown, including “Snk'mip Dig Deeper”. Popcorn available, but no bake sale this time. The event begins at 5 pm PT, at the Burton Community Hall. 

Click here for more information. 

INVASIVES 2026 Annual Forum

February 9 to 12, New Westminster or Online

Hosted by the Invasive Species Council of BC, this Annual Forum is where invasive species practitioners, researchers, Indigenous and youth leaders, industry partners, and community members come together to tackle invasive species head-on. INVASIVES 2026 is about protecting the places that connect us all through partnership, knowledge, and action, because tomorrow’s landscapes are built by the choices we make today. This year, the theme, ‘One Landscape, One Future’, highlights the connections between working lands, wild spaces, and urban centres and the responsibility we share to steward them. This year, a virtual option will also be available. 

Click here for more information and to register.

Key Biodiversity Areas: A tool for supporting conservation and stewardship across Canada

February 12, Online

Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are identified through a scientifically rigorous and internationally recognized process, and represent the places that play a disproportionate role in ensuring the survival of species and ecosystems. While KBA recognition does not come with any automatic management or legal requirements, the information on KBAs is informing protected-area and land use planning, stewardship and Indigenous-led conservation, biodiversity monitoring, regulatory approaches to conservation, and more across Canada and the world. Join Dr. Peter Soroye from Wildlife Conservation Society Canada as he introduces the KBA work in Canada, and an overview of how this tool may support stewardship and conservation work in watersheds across Canada. Live webinar at 11 am PT / 12 pm MT. 

Click here for more details and to register. 

Protecting Indigenous relationships with the land through IPCAs

February 13, Online

Sharing project results and collaborating to build capacity is a priority for the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP). This event is part of their annual series of information sessions about the projects they fund. The work of establishing an IPCA—Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area—is a complex and challenging process. Join this session to learn more about IPCAs, what’s involved, and the benefits of an IPCA. Delve into the tale and the hard work behind the Dasiqox IPCA northwest of Lillooet. Presented by Dr. Jonaki Bhattacharyya Dasiqox Nexwagwez?an of Elemental Stewardship Consulting, in-person in Prince George, with an online option. From 3:30 to 4:30 pm PT / 4:30 to 5:30 pm MT. 

Click here for more information and to register.

High-Elevation Five-Needle White Pines: 2025-2026 Science and Management Webinar Series

February 17 • March 17 • April 21 • May 19, Online

Join the Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation (WPEF) for their “High-Elevation, Five-Needle White Pines: Science and Management Webinar Series”, on the third Tuesday of each month. All webinars are free and open to the public. This year we’ll hear from experts sharing the latest scientific findings and management initiatives on whitebark pine and other high-elevation five-needle pine species across Canada and the USA. Webinar recordings are archived on WPEF’s Whitebark Flix channel. From 11 am to 12 pm PT / 12 to 1 pm MT.

Find more details and the registration link here. 

Invasive Species Council of BC: 2026 Invasive Species Forum

February 17 to 19, Online

The Invasive Species Centre is pleased to announce the 2026 Annual Invasive Species Forum is now accepting presentation submissions. The event is taking place February 17 to 19 as a fully virtual and free event. The event theme, Progress Through Partnerships, highlights the vital role of collaboration in achieving successful invasive species prevention and management. The preliminary program is now available.

Click here to see the event webpage and to register.

Exploring the Co-existence of Wetlands and Agriculture

February 18, Online

This webinar is part of the BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF)’s Wetland Institute Speaker Series. Join in a celebration of wetlands on World Wetlands Day! See how the BCWF’s Watershed Team has been working for wetlands and watersheds and explore opportunities for wetland restoration in agricultural landscapes. BCWF’s restoration practitioner, Becky Dodge, and Glen Valley Organic Farm’s Chris Bodnar will discuss the importance of wetlands in agricultural spaces, what wetland restoration can look like for farmers—highlighting a current project at Glen Valley Organic Farm in Abbotsford, B.C.—and the importance of building trusted partnerships. The live webinar is from 12 to 1 pm PT / 1 to 2 pm MT.

Click here for more details and to register.

KCP Winter Webinar Series: Using Traditional Knowledge and Science in Restoration using Beaver Mimicry to Revive our Watershed within the Okanagan Nation

February 19, Online

Coteay Creek, a tributary of akskʷəkʷant (Inkaneep Creek), flows into suwiw̓s (Osoyoos Lake). The area surrounding that creek has dried up and, along with the wetlands, the beavers — or stunx in nsyilxcən — have disappeared. Delaney Hall and his team know that wetlands provide critical habitat for aquatic beings such as fish and amphibians, as well as land animals such as moose, deer and elk. They also provide fire protection, and are essential systems to help buffer the impacts of a warming climate. Delaney also knows that the beaver can teach us how to restore these wetlands, and that the elders in his community are able to share the historical location of many beaver dams where you no longer see evidence of their prior existence. In this talk, Delaney Hall will speak to a project partnership with the Osoyoos Indian Band and the B.C. Wildlife Federation involving the introduction of beaver analogues as one tool being used to help recover wetland ecosystems. The live webinar is at 12 pm PT / 1 pm MT.

Click here for more information and to register.

Herbaria: re-connecting to the land

February 20, Online

Sharing project results and collaborating to build capacity is a priority for the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP). This webinar is part of their annual series of information sessions about the projects they fund. Herbaria are an important resource for ethnobotany, stewardship, and capacity building—and they are important to First Nations working to preserve culturally important plants. Join this session to learn how the Tsay Keh Dene Nation, the Okanagan Nation Alliance, and the Xwísten First Nation are collecting and documenting culturally important plants. The live webinar is from 12 to 1 pm PT / 1 to 2 pm MT. 

Click here for more information and to register. 

Wetlands Film Festival and Monarch Way Station Recap 

February 22, Nelson 

Join the Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society (FoKLSS) and Kootenay Native Plant Society (KNPS) to celebrate the beauty and resilience of wetlands and pollinator habitats in the Kootenay region, while highlighting local, community-led conservation efforts. The evening will begin with a selection of short films exploring wetland ecology, restoration, and stewardship. Touring through Kootenay and coastal BC ecosystems, powerful visuals and storytelling invite audiences to deepen their appreciation of wetlands and the vital role they play in supporting biodiversity, water quality, and climate resilience. Following the film screenings, the event will transition into a Monarch Way Station project recap by KNPS. They will be briefing us on the past 5 years of their project to design and create safe havens here in the Kootenays that connect fragmented habitats along the Monarchs’ migration route. From 6:30 to 9 pm PT. 

Click here for more details and to register. 

Introductory Ktunaxa Language course

February 23 to May 11, Online

Learn the sounds, words and some history of the Ktunaxa Language. This course is designed for you to garner skills that will enable you to carry Ktunaxa Language forward to your communities, classrooms, and on the Land. Indigenous languages carry connections to lands, ancestors, traditions, and contain ecological knowledge crucial for sustainable living, medicinal practices, and traditional storytelling, enriching our collective wisdom. Hosts Alfred Joseph and Mara Nelson aim to create a welcoming space where learners can begin their journey, build connections, and develop a foundation for future learning opportunities. This course is open to everyone – both Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants who wish to learn to uplift language revitalization. Held on Mondays 6 to 7:30 pm PT / 7 to 8:30 pm MT.

Click here for more details and to register. 

KCP Winter Webinar Series: Wetland Conservation and Restoration in a Warming Climate: the Role of Beaver Dams

February 26, Online

Wetlands are rare ecosystems in southeast BC, providing habitat for numerous species, enhancing biodiversity and increasingly affected by the changing climate, which has been warming for several decades, drying wetlands and changing the water flows in streams and rivers. Ecologists and concerned communities have been trying to restore or create wetlands but face major challenges in building healthy wetlands. Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners have been assessing the hydrogeomorphic characteristics that lead to healthy wetlands, and how we can use constructed beaver dams to mitigate the effects of the warming climate on wetlands and streams. Join Dr. Suzanne Bayley with the Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners for this webinar. The live webinar is at 12 pm PT / 1 pm MT.

Click here for more information and to register.

Environmental Monitoring: Training in the Harrop Wetland

March 15, Harrop

Join Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society (FoKLSS) for a free, full-day environmental monitoring workshop focused on the organization’s 2026 Harrop Wetland monitoring program. This event will provide participants with foundational skills in environmental monitoring, species identification, and data collection, while offering a clear pathway to join FoKLSS’s monitoring team for the 2026 field season. The day will begin indoors with guided instruction at Harrop Hall, followed by a break for lunch and an afternoon field session in the Harrop Wetland where participants will practice techniques and complete their first surveys on site.

Click here for more details and to register. 

Reducing highway wildlife mortality in the Southern Rockies

March 20, Online

Sharing project results and collaborating to build capacity is a priority for the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP). This webinar is part of their annual series of information sessions about the projects they fund. Join this session to find out what’s being done to reduce wildlife mortality on roads, what’s working, and what’s ahead to help wildlife trying to get to the other side of the road. Presented by Emily Chow, Province of B.C., and Dr. Clayton Lamb with Wildlife Science Centre and Biodiversity Pathways. The live webinar is from 12 to 1 pm PT / 1 to 2 pm MT. 

Click here for more information and to register. 

Making Waves: a World Water Day Symposium

March 22, Nelson - submit proposals by February 28 

The West Kootenay Watershed Collaborative (WKSC) is pleased to invite you to Making Waves: a World Water Day Symposium. This full-day gathering on is dedicated to water stewardship, justice, and collective action. The symposium brings together advocates, organizers, and community members to explore how we can protect water systems through shared responsibility and meaningful collaboration. Highlights include internationally renowned keynote speakers Maude Barlow (Council of Canadians) and Jenny Vega Cárdenas (International Observatory for the Rights of Nature - IORN), First Nations representatives, and a host of additional inspiring and powerful local speakers. Daniel J. Pierce's film ‘Trouble in the Headwaters’ will be screened, and there will be facilitated group discussions and time to network with local organizations. WKWC is looking for organizations who are interested in hosting an information table - please submit your proposals to admin@westkootenaywater.ca by February 28. Stay tuned for details as they develop; join WKWC for this important day of dialogue and action! This full-day event is open to everyone: Members $15, Non-members $20. Register by emailing WKWC. From 10 am to 6 pm PT. 

Siwɬkʷ Water & Climate Forum

March 23 to 26, Kelowna

The siwɬkʷ Water & Climate Forum returns in 2026 as a two-day gathering—bigger, bolder, and more impactful than ever. This is not just a conference. It’s a pathway forward for water, land, and future generations. As climate impacts intensify, the Okanagan–Similkameen is testing what’s possible. This conference serves as a pilot for the future of watershed governance in B.C.— demonstrating how Syilx, Indigenous leadership, cross-jurisdictional collaboration, and innovative governance models can support long-term water security. This Forum will spotlight global, provincial, and regional climate-resilient water governance models, strengthen the Okanagan–Similkameen Collaborative Leadership Table (CLT) as a scalable approach for BC, help shape a 250-year responsibility plan for water, and align leadership, investment, and action across jurisdictions. Leaders, knowledge holders, policy makers, water professionals, post-secondary students, and anyone interested in protecting water are encouraged to attend. Contact the team at Waterforum@syilx.org, with questions. 

Click here for more information and to register. 

Motus technology helps track birds & bats

April 8, Online

Sharing project results and collaborating to build capacity is a priority for the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP). This event is part of their annual series of information sessions about the projects they fund. The Motus wildlife tracking system is an international collaborative research network that uses automated radio telemetry to provide data on migratory birds and bats. The Peace Region is a perfect location for Motus stations because it is on the Central and Western flyways—important bird migration routes. Presented by Amie MacDonald with Birds Canada, in-person in Prince George, with an online option. Registration link and time of event are coming soon. 

Click here for more details. 

Amphibian Identification and Survey Techniques

April 15 to June 18, Online and Revelstoke

This hybrid introductory course offered through the Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology (CMI), will provide students with an opportunity to improve their amphibian species identification skills, learn about standard survey techniques, permits and disease control, and get a hands-on experience surveying and handling amphibians, in a variety of settings. This course will include two half-days of online training sessions and a full day of outdoor field surveys (offered in Revelstoke or Squamish). Taught by Elke Wind, Registered Professional Biologist, who has more than 30 years experience studying amphibian populations.

Click here for more information and to register.

BC Protected Areas Research Forum

May 19 to 21, Kamloops - open for submissions until February 28 

Since 2006, BCPARF has worked with university and community co-hosts to bring together researchers, advocates, managers, students, and community members who create, share, and use research and knowledge in parks and protected areas across BC and beyond. This year’s forum will be held at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops; note that if you can't join in person, the programming will be streamed online. Submissions for the BC Protected Areas Research Forum (BCPARF) are open until February 28. Submissions that support evidence-based decision-making and needs-based research will be prioritized.

Click here for more details and to register.

Field Ornithology: Improving Bird ID and Survey Skills through Sound

May 25 to 28, Revelstoke

This course is offered through the Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology (CMI) and taught by Registered Professional Biologists and experienced birders Marc-André Beaucher and Rachel Darvill. For many field ornithology surveys, the ability to identify bird species by their calls and songs is an essential skill. It is also one of the hardest aspects of field work to master. However, technological advances in sound capture and visualization are pushing the ornithological frontiers with tools that make it easier than ever to learn field-identification by sound, survey natural soundscapes (and their birds), and provide high-quality acoustical specimens for analysis and independent review. This course will combine field-experience listening to bird calls and songs during three mornings at the height of the breeding season, with hands-on recording practice to generate sound files.

Click here for more information and to register.

Field Soil Description & Classification Course

June 10 to 12, Revelstoke 

Offered through the Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology (CMI), this course covers procedures for observing, measuring, and describing soils in the field. The goal is to produce consistent data for soil inventory, mapping and classification using techniques that improve the consistency of determining soil properties in the field. Students gain experience with describing and classifying forest and wetland soils in the Revelstoke area using soil horizons and properties measured in the field. Students discuss how soil data collected in the field can inform soil management practices relating to conservation, agriculture, forestry, mining, and oil & gas activities.

Click here for more information and to register.

General Grants from the Real Estate Foundation of BC

Deadline: February 5

The Real Estate Foundation of BC (REFBC) provides grants to support projects that advance sustainability, equity, and social justice in relation to land use and real estate practices in BC. Five focus areas are: land use, freshwater, built environments, food sovereignty, and the real estate profession. These grants can fund projects led by First Nations, non-profits, and other organizations working on projects relating to land use or real estate in BC. Before you apply, you can watch a webinar recording to learn about REFBC’s funding priorities and the application process, connect with grants program staff, and ask questions.

Click here for more information, or register for a REFBC General Grant webinar.

Brink/McLean Grassland Conservation Fund, Nature Trust of BC

Deadline: February 20

The objective of the Brink/McLean Grassland Conservation Fund is to promote research, ecosystem restoration and other stewardship activities that will assist in the management of the land, plants, and animals that rely on BC’s native grasslands. Projects must be located within native grassland ecosystems in BC. Proponents may be individuals, conservation organizations, public agencies, academic, or research entities. Applications must demonstrate how the project meets the evaluation criteria.

Click here for more information. 

Invasive Mussel Monitoring Grants from HCTF

Deadline: February 20

The Habitat Conservation Trust Fund (HCTF) administers a funding program for invasive mussel monitoring in B.C. lakes. As the threat of invasive mussels gets closer to B.C.’s borders, we are grateful for the continued federal and provincial support for this crucial preventative work. Please see HCTF’s Invasive Mussel Monitoring Grant page for more information. And note that they are anticipating less funding this year; please take this into consideration in the development of any lake monitoring proposals. The deadline to apply is February 20 at 4:30 pm PT / 5:30 pm MT. 

Click here for more information and to apply. 

Action, Capacity, and Community Grants from HCTF

Deadline: February 28

The Habitat Conservation Trust Fund (HCTF) is now accepting Action, Capacity, and Community Grant applications. Action Grants support projects that result in measurable changes in the behaviours and practices of a defined target audience to create solutions or implement sustainable practices that mitigate, prevent or reduce human-caused impacts on fish, wildlife, and habitat. Capacity Grants provide funding to support activities that build skills, foster collaboration, and advance planning to enhance future conservation outcomes. Community Grants provide small grants to organizations and individuals who have a conservation project involving volunteers in mind, but need financial help to make it happen. See HCTF’s updated guidance documents and program FAQs on their respective pages, as well as the Survey Apply Application Guide, for helpful instructions, and review the application questions or worksheet before starting your online application. Please contact grants@hctf.ca to discuss your project idea and which grant it may best align with.

Habitat Acquisition Grants from HCTF

Deadline: April 15 

The Habitat Conservation Trust Fund (HCTF)’s Habitat Acquisition Grants help organizations purchase land with high habitat values to conserve fish and wildlife. This grant is open to provincial and local land trust organizations, First Nations, and community organizations in BC; up to $500,000 is available annually. The application intake will open in mid-February, and the deadline to apply is April 15. See HCTF’s Habitat Acquisition Grant page for more information, and contact grants@hctf.ca before beginning an application to discuss 2026 changes in eligibility for this grant.

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 support 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. 

Seed Grants, Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program

Deadline: Ongoing

You can now apply for a Seed Grant any time of the year; you don’t need to wait for the FWCP annual grant intake. An FWCP Seed Grant—up to a maximum of $5,000—can be used to fill information gaps, prepare technical information, and explore the feasibility of your project idea. Think of a Seed Grant as a first step toward a future Large Grant application. The FWCP Columbia Region board will review Seed Grant applications and make decisions at its spring, fall, and winter board meetings. Apply early.

Click here for more information. 

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.

Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program Community Engagement Grants

Deadline: Ongoing

Got an idea for a project to support fish and wildlife in the Columbia region? Community Engagement Grants are typically $500 to $1000 and help stewardship groups and others take action to benefit local fish and wildlife.

Click here for more information and how to apply.

Land Securement Grants from Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program

Deadline: Ongoing

Securing critical ecosystems and habitats for conservation is an important way to help conserve and enhance fish and wildlife in watersheds impacted by BC Hydro dams. The Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) funds land securement projects and supports a partnership approach in their Coastal, Columbia, and Peace regions. Due to the time-sensitive nature of real-estate transactions, grant applications for land securement purchases can be discussed with the region managers at any time of year. Please contact Columbia Region Manager Jen Walker-Larsen at Jennifer.Walker-Larsen@bchydro.com with your questions.

Click here for more information.

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 

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 Funds. 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, 12-month contract, and is flexible within the Kootenay Region. Applications are accepted until Friday, February 13 at 12 pm PT / 1 pm MT.

Click here for more details and to apply. 

Living Lakes Canada

Freshwater Stewardship & Outreach Intern

Living Lakes Canada is hiring a Freshwater Stewardship & Outreach Intern to support hands-on water monitoring, community outreach, and climate resilience work across the Columbia Valley. This four-month position will blend fieldwork, data collection, and storytelling, and is ideal for students passionate about freshwater protection. Candidates must currently be a student at or graduating in 2026 from one of the following universities: University of BC, Simon Fraser University, University of Northern BC, or University of Victoria. Applications are accepted until February 6 at 5 pm PT / 6 pm MT.

Click here for more information and to apply.

Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society

Invasive Species Technician, Nelson

Are you passionate about protecting the Central Kootenay region from the threats posed by invasive species? Do you want to contribute to preserving our local ecosystems, supporting communities, and bolstering the economy? The Invasive Species Technician (IS Tech) works as part of a small field crew to carry out invasive species management including: surveys and manual removal of invasive plants in priority locations, sign installation and removal, landowner outreach, and biological control surveys. The IS Tech works primarily in the field with limited office time. The IS Tech is expected to work outdoors in a wide variety of weather conditions and potentially in and around water. The position may also include assisting with zebra quagga mussel veliger sampling and public outreach events. These positions are full-time beginning in early May, and applications are accepted until February 23. 

Click here for more information and to apply. 

Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society

Engagement Assistant, Nelson

Are you passionate about protecting the Central Kootenay region from the threats posed by invasive species? Do you want to contribute to preserving our local ecosystems, supporting communities, and bolstering the economy? The Engagement Assistant will support the Engagement Program with invasive species education and outreach programs, and potentially support the Operations and Aquatics Program with invasive species management activities. Duties include hosting educational booths at events, leading community weed pulls and youth field trips, updating the website, newsletters, press releases, and social media, distributing educational resources, creating original content for CKISS engagement activities, and supporting virtual and in-person events like webinars, workshops, and presentations. This position is full-time from early May to late August, and applications are accepted until February 23. 

Click here for more information and to apply. 

Kootenay-Columbia Discovery Centre Society

Seasonal Wetland Naturalist, Creston

Join the Kootenay-Columbia Discovery Centre Society as a Wetland Naturalist and spend your summer learning, teaching, paddling, exploring, and inspiring others in one of BC’s most remarkable ecosystems. This is an ideal opportunity for post-secondary students interested in environmental science, education, biology, conservation, or outdoor recreation. As a Wetland Naturalist, you’ll help connect children, youth, and visitors to the natural world through engaging environmental education programs and guided experiences at the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area (CVWMA). This seasonal position is from May 4 to August 29, and applications are accepted until February 27. 

Click here for the full job posting. 

East Kootenay Invasive Species Council

Invasive Species Education & Outreach Assistant, Kimberley or Cranbrook preferred

The East Kootenay Invasive Species Council (EKISC) is an environmental non-profit organization with the mission to mitigate the negative environmental, social, and economic impacts of invasive species. As the Invasive Species Education & Outreach Assistant, you will be “boots-on-the ground” as the face of EKISC. This position is primarily focused on education and outreach, with a portion of responsibilities dedicated to supporting EKISC’s communications efforts. Working under the direction of the Education and Outreach Manager, and in collaboration with the Communications Manager, you will help deliver engaging, accurate, and accessible invasive species education across the Regional District of East Kootenay. From hosting community weed pulls to delivering plant identification courses and invasive species workshops, most of your work will be spent outdoors and interacting directly with the public. This position is from early May to late August, and applications are accepted as soon as possible. 

Click here for more information and to apply. 

East Kootenay Invasive Species Council

Invasive Species Field Technician, Kimberley or Cranbrook preferred

The East Kootenay Invasive Species Council (EKISC) is an environmental non-profit organization with the mission to mitigate the negative environmental, social, and economic impacts of invasive species. As the Field Technician, you will be EKISC’s “weed warrior,” working hard to fight the impacts of invasive species within the East Kootenay Region. Together, with the direction of the Field Operations Coordinator, you will travel across the region to conduct fieldwork activities such as conducting invasive plant inventories, conducting lake monitoring for invasive mussels, reseeding disturbed sites, establishing and monitoring research trials, mechanically managing weeds, monitoring invasive plant infestations and treatments, managing data collection, installing signage, and helping with monitoring of vegetation plots. You will also get an opportunity to work with the outreach team when they need a hand with community weed pulls, display booths, and delivering practical workshops. This position is from early May to late August, and applications are accepted as soon as possible.

Click here for more details and to apply. 

Elk Root Conservation Farm Society 

Various Job Opportunities, Slocan Valley 

Elk Root Conservation Farm Society (ERC) has exciting job opportunities for youth ages 16 to 30. With each position, you will have the opportunity to support the community, apply your creativity and most importantly, help protect and restore the environment around us for the future generations. ERC is committed to biodiversity, with a mission to provide inclusionary environmental education opportunities for the entire community. ERC’s commitment to diversity and inclusionary focus is reflected in their hiring practices and flexible scheduling. Opportunities range from Habitat Restoration & working in the Native Plant and Pollinator Gardens to working in the Apiary and Community Food Gardens. Applications are accepted as soon as possible. 

Click here for more details and to apply. 

Wildsight

Youth Climate Corps, East & West Kootenays

Applications are now open for both the West and East Kootenay 2026 Youth Climate Corps seasons. Youth Climate Corps is an opportunity to kickstart or further develop your career in climate related fields through multi-month paid contracts. Over the season, you will receive professional certifications, mentorship, leadership development, and practical work experience. You will help implement meaningful climate solutions in your region while laying groundwork for your own future – all while having fun working with a community of peers. If you are between 17and 30 years old and looking to expand your career opportunities, gain certifications, and have a summer like no other, Youth Climate Corps wants to hear from you! In 2025, crew members completed wildfire risk reduction projects, undertook water monitoring, dug into local food sustainability initiatives, ran workshops in collaboration with local government, and much more. Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled; don’t wait to apply!

Click here for more information and to apply. 

Proceedings and Recommendations Summary: What’s the Future of Grasslands and Rangelands in the East Kootenay?

Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology (CMI) 

This document is a summary of presentations, discussions, information shared, resources, and co-created recommended actions from the event: What’s the Future of Grasslands and Rangelands in the East Kootenay? This event took place in Kimberley, to explore current issues in range and grassland health from multiple perspectives, supported by local and regional case studies and discussions on practical, on-the-ground actions to improve management and outcomes. Event panelists, presenters and participants with poster displays were asked to submit a summary of their work for this document that addressed the current issues in grassland and rangeland management in the region, how we got here, and what the consequences are for grassland and rangeland health. They were also asked to provide practical recommendations to improve the maintenance or enhancement of grassland ecosystem health and related ecosystem services of the East Kootenay rangelands. 

Click here to access the document. 

Recording: Rewilding at Scale from Yellowstone to Yukon

Naturally Scott with Dr. Jodi Hilty

Dr. Jodi Hilty, President and Chief Scientist of the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y), talks with Scott about one of the most ambitious conservation efforts on Earth: reconnecting 2,000 miles of wild landscape from Yellowstone National Park to the Yukon. Dr. Hilty explains why isolated parks are no longer enough, how wildlife corridors and overpasses keep ecosystems functioning, and why large carnivores like wolves, wolverines, and grizzly bears are essential to biodiversity, climate resilience, and even carbon storage. This conversation dives into the science of rewilding, the practical realities of coexistence with ranchers, and what it really takes to conserve nature at the scale it requires. If you care about conservation that works — grounded in science, cooperation, and realism — this episode is for you.

Click here to access. 

KBA Canada’s 2025 Annual Report

Key Biodiversity Areas 

The Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) Canada Team is delighted to share the release of KBA Canada’s 2025 Annual Report. This brief report highlights the incredible milestones and progress achieved by the KBA program throughout 2025. Over the year, we celebrated surpassing 350 KBAs on the website, saw ecosystem KBA work make exciting progress in BC and Atlantic Canada, and saw dozens of exciting examples of KBA information being put into use to benefit wildlife, ecosystems, and people. This report has a focus on spotlighting some of those examples, and the ways that partners are using KBA information to benefit, inform, and inspire conservation work. Illustrating the report are some amazing photos from KBA partners and this year’s KBA Photo Contest. 

Click here to access. 

Intergenerational Care for Land & Community: A conversation with Esther Bonney & Robin Wall Kimmerer

Wild Ones, Plant Baby Plant, and Nurture Natives 

Presented in partnership with Wild Ones, Plant Baby Plant, and Nurture Natives; botanist, author, and professor Robin Wall Kimmerer and native plant enthusiast Esther Bonney come together for an intergenerational dialogue on reciprocity, belonging, and native plant action. Drawing on Robin’s writing and leadership with Plant Baby Plant and Esther’s youth led work through Nurture Natives, this conversation explores how shared learning, relationships, and local action help sustain the native plant movement over time. Together, they discuss how people of different generations find their place in the native plant movement; why mentorship, invitation, and belonging matter as much as technical knowledge; how youth leadership and elder wisdom strengthen one another; and what reciprocity looks like in everyday stewardship and community action. 

Click here to access the recording. 

Aligning ENGO financial practices with commitments to Indigenous-led conservation

EcoAnalystics, RAD network, Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership and Environics Research

EcoA worked with the RAD network, Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership and Environics Research on this ground-breaking research into the financial practices of Canadian ENGOs with respect to relationships with Indigenous partners. Many emerging trends and opportunities were identified through the reflexive survey, focus group and learning event. The report provides a summary of the context in which this research was conducted, along with the findings, a literature review and an assessment and reflection tool for organizations to use in progressing towards better practices. A link to the webinar slide deck is also provided.

Access the report here. 

Animal Nation

APTN: An immersive look at wildlife through Indigenous knowledge

A new docuseries on APTN, “Animal Nation” explores the bear, beaver, bison, caribou, eagle, salmon and wolf as ecological and cultural icons in Indigenous communities. The first episode of Animal Nation, launching January 8, was shot in Cranbrook, Elkford and other regional places.

Read more here and watch the series here. 

Alterations to the Hydrology of Kootenay Lake: A Short Chronology

Greg Utzig, P. Ag. 

Kootenay Lake and the Kootenay River watershed are largely shaped by the complex geologic and glacial history of the region. Although Kootenay Lake is in the West Kootenay, the Kootenay River, the largest source of water feeding Kootenay Lake, originates in the East Kootenay, an area with a different geology, climate and vegetation. Written by founding Board member of Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society (FoKLSS), Greg Utzig, this report outlines the hydrology of Kootenay Lake, specifically how the seasonal patterns of lake hydrology have been altered due to the presence of various dams.

Click here to access the report. 

CMI Researchers Forum 2025 Proceedings

Columbia Mountains Institute for Advanced Ecology

The Proceedings from CMI’s Researchers’ Forum & 30-Year Celebration are now available online. This inspiring event in September of 2025 brought together engaging presentations, field trips, and lively discussions celebrating three decades of applied ecology. CMI would like to thank all presenters, field tour leaders, attendees, volunteers, and sponsors for making it such a memorable and successful gathering. 

Explore the full proceedings here. 

Whole-Earth: A Conservation-Planning Paradigm for a Changing Climate

Joshua J. Lawler, John E. Gross, Wendy B. Foden, and Guy F. Midgley 

Conservationists have called for conserving 30 to 50% of the earth's surface to address the ongoing biodiversity and climate crises. To be successful, such an expansion of the global reserve network must meet climate-intensified challenges of species movements, ecological transformations, increasing human needs, and environmental injustices. These challenges will not be overcome by simply doubling or tripling the footprint of protected areas. Instead, successful biodiversity conservation will require planning for conservation mosaics - large, integrated landscapes, and seascapes composed of areas with different levels of protection and types of management - that cover the entire earth. The researchers describe this more holistic spatial conservation paradigm and provide a framework for planning for conservation mosaics that addresses growing biodiversity conservation and human needs.

Click here to read the report featured in Global Change Biology journal. 

Video - Return of the Grizzlies: Conservation in Action

Nature Conservancy of Canada

When the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) conserved the vast forested refuge of Darkwoods in 2008, the grizzly bear population that roamed these lands needed help. They were isolated from other bears and their numbers were dwindling. Now, through careful land management and collaboration with research scientists, NCC has been able to achieve a major conservation success: fully reversing the population decline of these grizzly bears. In this video, Grizzly bear researcher Dr. Michael Proctor and NCC’s Adrian Leslie discuss how they worked together to completely flip the story for these bears.

Click here for the video. 

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.