2024 KCP Fall Gathering 'Stewarding for Biodiversity”

October 4 - 5, Rossland

KCP is excited to host this year’s Fall Gathering in Rossland, on the theme of “Stewarding for Biodiversity”! The event will begin with lunch on Friday at 12 pm and continue throughout the afternoon with presentations and the Conservation Café. This will be followed by KCP’s AGM and a delicious banquet dinner and Conservation Leadership Awards ceremony. We will be meeting at the Prestige Mountain Resort in Rossland. The Saturday field tour will be a full day outing to see local wetland restoration work in the morning, with lunch provided and afternoon tours of the brushland-grassland ecosystem in Beaver Creek Provincial Park. Registration is now open to all!

Click here for more information and to register.

KCP Website has a new look

Website revised and updated

Kootenay Conservation Program's website has recently undergone some updates and revisions with the aim of making it more straightforward to navigate and to find information. In addition, the text on the various webpages is now more consistent. The KCP Team and Board hope that you will find the new website more engaging and easier to use.

Click here to see the new look of KCP’s website.

Kootenay Connect website updates

Year 5 highlights available online

KCP's multi-year Kootenay Connect Priority Places project wrapped up Year 5 (2023-2024) at the end of March, and the highlights of all the work accomplished to date are now available on the Kootenay Connect website. You'll find reports, maps and videos from the accumulated five years of Kootenay Connect projects, as well as new project pages for the three focal areas that are new this year. These are the Duncan-Lardeau, Slocan Valley, and Columbia Lake focal areas. The updates are in the Highlights by Area section.

Click here for the Kootenay Connect highlights and updates.

Congratulations to Kootenay Conservation Ambassadors

Conservation Ambassador Training Spring Tune-up wrapped up

Congratulations to Jessica Stumborg (who also received the draw prize for completing our feedback survey), Eileen Campbell Nishimura, Lourdes Niehaus, Joel Van Riper, and Makayla Taylor! They have all received a beautiful Kootenay Conservation Ambassador certificate after completing all three modules of the Conservation Ambassador Training 2024 Spring Tune-up. These modules were focused on stewarding for wildfire resilience, stewarding for wildlife, and stewarding for riparian and foreshore habitats.

Click here for more information about KCP’s Conservation Ambassador Training and to access the modules. 

RDCK Local Conservation Fund 

Technical Review Committee Member, Kootenay Lake Area

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. Individuals who reside in the in the Kootenay Lake area (Electoral Areas A, D, E, and F) and those with experience in aquatic and riparian systems and/or wildlife are preferred. Applications will be received on an ongoing basis.

Click here for the full volunteer posting.

Nature Trust of BC

Recipient of BC Conservation & Biodiversity Award

The BC Conservation & Biodiversity Awards are pleased to announce sixteen recipients of the 2024 Awards. This year, a total of $250,000 was granted. These recipients, all based in BC, are recognized for their exceptional efforts in enhancing BC’s natural environment and safeguarding its wilderness and biodiversity through their charitable work. The Nature Trust of BC was chosen as a recipient, for their work to reverse forest encroachment in the Hoodoos Conservation Area to preserve native grasslands to benefit the plants and animals within (especially Species at Risk).

Click here for more information.

Province of BC

East Kootenay Wildlife & Habitat Advisory Committee

A new East Kootenay regional wildlife and habitat advisory committee has been established in alignment with the provincial Together for Wildlife strategy and is providing recommendations to the Province of BC to benefit wildlife and habitat. Members of the East Kootenay Wildlife & Habitat Advisory Committee come from hunting, trapping, academic, conservation, forestry, land securement, stewardship groups, ranching, agriculture and other backgrounds and were selected following a public call for members in late 2023. “The committee is an advisor to government,” says co-chair Alan Duffy, “and since January 2024, the committee has made eight recommendations to government and has provided advice to regional staff on priorities for wildlife projects." The committee’s initial recommendations are focused on several priorities, including protection and stewardship of high-quality habitat, setting objectives for wildlife populations, establishing new long-term funding models for conservation, managing high-elevation mountain passes, responding to chronic wasting disease, and managing linear features for wildlife. The committee is engaging with First Nation Governments in the East Kootenay to align its work with the Nations’ traditional values and priorities, recognizing that each First Nation will define how or if it participates in the committee. The committee is in the early stages and can be reached at ekwhac@gmail.com.

Click here to read more.

Province of BC

More than 300 hectares of land secured to conserve old growth

At-risk wildlife and critical old-growth habitat will be protected at eight different sites through the Old Growth Nature Fund. “People who live in BC share a deep connection to our forests. We are working with our partners to protect old-growth trees for our children and grandchildren, and to conserve important wildlife habitat,” said Nathan Cullen, BC’s Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “By conserving these areas of natural beauty, we are protecting important refuges for at-risk wildlife, supporting species like the northern red-legged frog, great blue heron and wolverine.” The BC government, the federal government and seven land trust and conservancy organizations have worked together to secure critical old growth and habitat for species at risk at eight different sites. About $7.9 million from the Old Growth Nature Fund, along with $8.2 million contributed by private donors and organizations, were used to purchase privately owned lands. Through the Old Growth Nature Fund, Environment and Climate Change Canada is providing financial support of $50 million to the Province over three years to protect old-growth forest areas in BC.

Click here for the full story.

Province of BC

Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas and Expressions of Indigenous-led Stewardship

Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs), including recommendations for Indigenous Peoples’ role in stewardship and conservation in Canada, were presented in detail in a 2018 report by the Indigenous Circle of Experts (ICE). An IPCA is a First Nation’s vision and plan for lands and waters in their territory. IPCAs are defined by the First Nation and outline their stewardship approach, so each IPCA may look different and include different priorities. The declaration of an IPCA or other type of Indigenous led stewardship initiative (e.g. Tribal Park, Indigenous Interest Area, land use plan, etc.), is the decision of the Indigenous government exercising their self-determination. The role of the BC government is to ensure the rights and interests of the Nation will be respected and upheld within a process that also upholds the rights and interests of the affected third parties and local communities.

Click here for more information.

Province of BC

Canada, U.S. reach agreement-in-principle to modernize Columbia River Treaty

The Government of Canada and the United States have taken an important step in the modernization of the Columbia River Treaty by reaching an agreement-in-principle (AIP). Today’s milestone in the negotiation process provides a clear road map for the negotiation teams to move forward on drafting the renewed treaty and for BC to begin engaging with the Columbia River Basin residents to seek feedback on the AIP and on next steps. For decades, the Columbia River Treaty has played a crucial role in reducing flood damage and providing clean energy to millions of households, businesses and industries in both Canada and the United States. Under the AIP, the countries have agreed that a modernized treaty will provide some level of assured pre-planned flood control and continued co-operation on hydropower for the Columbia River. The countries have also agreed to incorporate new provisions not considered in the original agreement, including those for increased unilateral flexibility for how BC operates its treaty dams, ecosystem health, restoring and strengthening salmon populations, Indigenous cultural values, adaptive management and new collaborative engagement on Libby Dam operations.

Click here for the full story. 

Environment & Climate Change Canada

Protecting nature in BC and across Canada to help fight climate change and protect biodiversity

The Government of Canada has launched the largest conservation campaign in the country’s history in order to support meeting its emissions reduction targets and to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. In July, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced $89.1 million for 10 greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects funded through the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund. These projects will take place in Alberta, BC, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec, and will aim to fight climate change while benefitting biodiversity by safeguarding carbon-rich ecosystems from destruction to keep carbon in the ground. Minister Guilbeault was in BC to announce almost $50 million for major nature conservation projects throughout the province, including $37 million through the BC Parks Foundation, including in the Southern Interior, and an investment of $8 million to the Nature Trust of BC to secure 552 hectares of carbon-rich ecosystems and provide benefits for multiple species at risk, including the Western Toad, the Grizzly Bear, and the Southern Mountain Caribou, among others. The NTBC project will include the creation of new protected areas in the East Kootenay.

Click here to read the full story.

Elk Valley Coexistence Initiative

Cost-Share Program to Reduce Bear Attractants

In a continued effort to enhance community safety and reduce bear attractants, the Elk Valley Coexistence Initiative is excited to announce the latest phase of a cost-share program designed to help residents make their properties safer and less appealing to bears. The program is supported by a collaboration between the Province of British Columbia, Biodiversity Pathways, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, and Teck Coal. Residents of the Elk Valley, including the communities of Jaffray, Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford, and Hosmer, and local ranches and farms, are eligible for financial assistance to remove or replace their fruit trees. Additionally, they can apply for funding to install electric fencing around livestock, gardens, or remaining fruit trees. This initiative aims to promote coexistence between people and wildlife by mitigating common sources of human-bear conflicts. “Our goal is to chip away at creating a landscape that works for people and wildlife in the Elk Valley” said Clayton Lamb, Wildlife Biologist. “Conflicts between people and bears are a common occurrence here, but there are proven solutions to this issue, and we want to make it easier for residents to take the measures that discourage bears from entering residential or farm areas.”

Click here for more information.

Kootenay Bank Swallow Survey

2024 Newsletter & updated Data Sheets for reporting breeding colonies

The Kootenay Bank Swallow Survey (KBSS) has been documenting breeding colonies of the federally listed Bank Swallow in the Kootenay region since 2015. This species is designated as Threatened in Canada under the Species at Risk Act, due primarily to significant declines in numbers over several decades. The primary objective of KBSS is to provide current information on distribution and abundance of nesting swallows for use in recovery efforts. A major accomplishment of the project has been the use of data gathered by our volunteers in federal recovery documents. Thank you for your efforts! Please report breeding colonies in the Kootenay region in 2024. Note that in some years, Bank Swallows begin to leave the colonies as early as July 20th.There are two ways to make reports: a) Use the data form provided and send to the Project Coordinator; or b) Provide basic information in an email to the Project Coordinator at kootenaybankswallows@gmail.com including date, location, number of burrows, birds present, and accompanying photographs.

Click here to access the full Newsletter and Data Sheets. 

Valhalla Foundation for Ecology

'Dig Deeper' With New Documentary Film

Many Kootenay-area biologists and experts who will be familiar to KCP partners appear in the new film Snk'mip Dig Deeper. A co-production of the Valhalla Foundation for Ecology and the Autonomous Sinixt, this locally made feature-length documentary film explores wetland restoration best-practices and Indigenous reconciliation, with Snk'mip Marsh (north end of Slocan Lake) as its geographical setting. Snk'mip Dig Deeper looks at what happens when an idealistic conservation group strives to restore a damaged wetland (Snk'mip) and learns some huge lessons in the process. Midway through the multi-year restoration project, a startling revelation uncovered the site's Indigenous history: that it was the site of an ancient Sinixt village. This propels the protagonists on a transformative journey of reconciliation with the First People of the land. Snk'mip Dig Deeper reshapes our concepts of land ownership, ecological stewardship, deep history and reconciliation with First Peoples and contains Indigenous perspectives that are important for settler conservationists to consider. Snk'mip Dig Deeper will premiere on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Sept. 30 (location and details to come) and a special screening is in the works for Rossland -- for the evening before the commencement of the KCP Fall Gathering. If you would like to host a community screening of this dramatic and thought-provoking film (run-time: 70 mins), contact producer@digdeeperfilm.ca who will provide you with more information.

Click here for a sneak preview of the film trailer.

Columbia Basin Trust

Invasive Mussel Defence Program

The Invasive Mussel Defence Program’s goal is simple: keep invasive zebra and quagga mussels out of provincial waterways. And, so far, the Invasive Mussel Defence Program has managed to do just that. They may be small, but they’re a significant hazard. “Zebra and quagga mussels represent a serious threat to BC’s aquatic ecosystems and substantial economic impacts to sectors such as hydropower, agricultural irrigation, municipal water supplies, tourism and recreational boating,” says Martina Beck, Unit Head of Freshwater Applied Science and Programs with the BC Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. That’s why, driving in and out of the Basin, you may have noticed watercraft-inspection stations on the side of the highway. The ability of such a small organism (no bigger than a fingernail) to greatly impact flora, fauna and industry up and down Basin waterways is alarming. However, Basin residents can prevent invasives from hitching a ride on boats or other watercraft by following the “clean, drain, dry” guidelines when moving between water bodies.

Click here for the full story.

BC Wildlife Federation

Wildlife Act fines should benefit wildlife

The BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF) applauds new stiffer penalties for infractions of the Wildlife Act but is concerned that the money collected from higher fines will go into general government revenue. The BCWF has vigorously lobbied the province for increases to penalties for poachers and polluters. The Wildlife Act protects most vertebrate species from harm and describes offences against wildlife such as poaching or trafficking in live animals and wild meat, and it sets out rules that must be followed by licensed hunters, trappers, and guide outfitters. Updated fines are two to three times higher under the new regulation. As a proportion of the provincial budget, funding for renewable resource management is just a fraction of its historical level, declining by 75 per cent between 1993 and today. Despite having one of the most bio-diverse regions in North America, we spend less per person, less per animal, and less per square kilometre than our neighbours. 

Click here for the full story.

Headwaters Podcasts

Changing Landscapes and the Columbia River Treaty

Two of the latest podcasts available from Headwaters may be of interest to you. In the Changing Landscapes episode, Headwaters heads into the woods and the water to meet the people who are working to save keystone species like the sturgeon, the mountain caribou, and big-horn sheep, and also to find out why stink bugs are taking over! Interviewees include John Bergenske, founder of Wildsight, mountain caribou biologist Erin MacLeod, and wildlife biologist Jakob Dulisse. The most recent episode is all about the Columbia River Treaty (CRT). The CRT profoundly changed the Basin, turning once fertile valleys into lakes and altering river ecosystems forever, while at the same time, preventing catastrophic flooding and generating billions of dollars in hydroelectric revenue. Currently the treaty - which governs the water that flows from the headwaters of the Columbia River, through the Kootenays, to where it ends in the United States - is up for renegotiation. Headwaters talk to families disenfranchised by treaty dams, politicians who negotiated ways to mitigate its impacts, and writers lobbying for a better future. Interviewees include former provincial politician Corky Evans and Ktunaxa Chief Sophie Pierre.

Click here to access the podcasts.

Living Lakes Canada

New report sheds light on importance of lake foreshore conservation

The ever-growing popularity of Kootenay lakes is driving growing concerns about their health and the sustainability of the aquatic ecosystems they support. Living Lakes Canada undertook a four-year lake study from 2019-2023 to understand how lake foreshores in the B.C. Columbia Basin region are changing due to urbanization and development. Using the lake survey methodology known as Foreshore Integrated Management Planning, or FIMP, the project targeted Columbia Basin lakes with federally designated aquatic Species at Risk and 10 lakes were surveyed or re-surveyed. The results have been culminated into a recently released report that outlines the survey outcomes and resulting recommendations. 

Click here to read the report. 

Living Lakes Canada

Spring groundwater levels highlight aquifer variability and need for expanded monitoring

Understanding groundwater systems using current, localized information is essential to ensure a water secure future. This is the goal of Living Lakes Canada’s Columbia Basin Groundwater Monitoring Program which is monitoring 32 volunteer observation wells across the region. According to data collected up to the end of March 2024, groundwater levels across different aquifers are responding differently to surface conditions, emphasizing the need for expanded monitoring. In the inaugural issue of the Watershed Bulletin series, which shares water-related data from Living Lakes programs, this report explores the observations and trends of wells throughout the region, and the implications for sustainable water management as drought conditions and other climate impacts intensify. 

Click here to read the full Watershed Bulletin.

Valhalla Foundation for Ecology

Western Painted Turtle sightings wanted

Have you seen any Western Painted Turtles in the Slocan Valley region? The Valhalla Foundation for Ecology (VFE) would like to know, as they are doing research to help preserve local biodiversity and enhance wildlife habitats. Please contact VFE if you have information about nesting or basking locations, as well as general sightings of Western Painted Turtles in the Slocan Valley area. Contact VFE biologist Amber Peters at amber.vfe@xplornet.ca.

Click here for more information and a poster.

Badger Recovery Team

Badger sightings wanted

The Badger Recovery Team is composed of representatives from federal and provincial governments, ranching and farming industries, research scientists, First Nations, and conservation organizations. If you have seen a badger (dead or alive) or recent badger burrows, please let the Recovery Team know! Sightings allow the Recovery Team to track where badgers are still occurring throughout the province of BC. If you have a photo of the badger that you are reporting, please upload it into the online form and if you have difficulties, email it to them at badgers@gov.bc.ca.

Click here for more information. 

BC Wildlife Federation: Version 3 of ''Wetlands of BC”

Looking for photos of wetland plants

The BC Wildlife Federation is advancing Version 3 of the “Wetlands of British Columbia” digital resource book. They are inviting you to explore your local wetlands, take photographs of the diverse plant species you encounter, and submit your photos for this project. Every photograph you submit to Plant Bingo contributes to conserving and protecting biodiversity in wetlands throughout BC. Join the BCWF to work together in celebrating the beauty of nature, preserving local ecosystems, and ensuring their resilience for future generations. Photos can be submitted to submission@bcwf.bc.ca.

Click here for more information on the project and how to submit photos. 

Environment and Climate Change Canada

Public consultations on the potential amendment of the List of Wildlife Species at Risk under SARA - by October 16

You are invited to submit comments on the potential impacts of amending the List of Wildlife Species at Risk according to the COSEWIC status assessments for the terrestrial species. Your comments will be considered and will inform the Minister’s recommendation to Cabinet. One terrestrial species, the Great Blue Heron fannini subspecies, will follow an extended consultation process. Please provide comments by October 16 for this species that will be following an extended consultation path. There will also be an opportunity to provide comments during the 30-day public consultation period associated with pre-publication in Canada Gazette Part I.

Click here for the complete set of statements and the consultation path for each species.

Cast Your Vote for your Favourites in the Lake Biodiversity Photo Challenge

August 1 - August 19, Lakes everywhere

Nearly 400 stunning photo entries now fill the Lake Biodiversity Photo Challenge gallery! Featuring breathtaking mountain lakes, wading Great Blue Herons, curious river otters, and much more, we need your help to select the Public Favourite winners in each of the four categories: Lake Landscapes, Lake Biodiversity, Lake Impacts and the Youth Category. Cast your votes by World Photography Day on August 19 and join us in celebrating the beauty and diversity of lakes across Canada. Winners will be announced in early September.

View the gallery and submit your votes. 

FWCP Notice of Intent info session

August 1, Online

All organizations applying for a grant through the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP), must submit a notice of intent by Tuesday, September 10. Learn more about this process at the FWCP notice of intent info session on August 1 at 10 am PT / 11 am MT.

Click here to register.

2024 Summer Bee Bioblitz

August 4, Blanket Creek Provincial Park near Revelstoke

We need your help! There are over 500 native bee species in BC, and many of them are still relatively under-studied, and under-represented. The more eyes we have looking for bees, the more likely we are to find rare species. iNaturalist is teaming up with BC Parks to offer this event at Blanket Creek Park near Revelstoke. You are invited to attend the Summer Bee Bioblitz, where there will be a brief talk about the importance of native bees and other pollinators, before leading a ‘bee safari’ walk for a hands-on example of how to collect observations to upload to iNaturalist. Please dress for the weather and avoid wearing heavily perfumed products. Dogs and other pets tend to scare the bees away, so please leave them at home. Even if you aren’t able to attend this event, everyone is still encouraged, anywhere in BC, to get outside, enjoy some fresh air, and collect some bee observations. While they will not end up in this particular project, they are still incredibly useful, and they will be collected in the Native Bee Society of BC’s BC Bee Tracker project, which is ongoing, and collects bee observations from anywhere in the province. Meet at the historic homestead site south of campground at Blanket Creek Park on Sunday, August 4, beginning at 1 pm PT.

Click here for more information and to register. 

Invasive Red Flags and Allelopathy: How to spot invasive species and what makes them so successful

August 6, Online

Join the East Kootenay Invasive Species Council (EKISC) for this short 30 to 45-minute webinar, which will cover what an invasive species is and how they impact the environment. They will explore the common Red Flags that invasive species often have and explain why these make them so successful in taking over native ecosystems. Finally, there will be a deep dive into a common invasive called Spotted Knapweed, and its superpower of Allelopathy will be explained. This is a perfect webinar for people who are new to invasive species and who want to learn more about these plants. From 11 am to 12 pm PT / 12 to 1 pm MT.

Click here for more information and to register.

15th Annual Community Weed Pull Event

August 10, Golden

Join Wildsight to help reduce the spread of invasive plants growing within Golden. Dress for the weather, bring some water, gloves, and come ready to work in exchange for good times and free food! Begins at 10 am MT.

Click here for more information and to RSVP.

East Kootenay Invasive Species Council’s Teachable Tuesday webinar

August 13, Online

Join the East Kootenay Invasive Species Council (EKISC) for this short 30 to 45-minute webinar about invasive species. More information to come! From 11 am to 12 pm PT / 12 to 1 pm MT.

Click here for more information and to register.

Bear Day

August 17, Invermere

Join Wildsight Invermere for an event to celebrate and learn about bears! This event will feature bear spray demos with WildSafeBC and tips on bear safety, and the BC Conservation Officer Service showing how they manage bear-people conflict (hint: prevention is #1) and how they trap a bear if needed. We’re also very lucky to have researcher Bryon Benn lead a bear awareness and knowledge walk through Ray Brydon Park (free but space is limited, sign up soon!). And of course, there will be plenty of games and children’s activities on the theme of bears. Join in at Pothole Park between 11 am and 1:30 pm MT.

Click here for more information and to register for the bear awareness walk. 

Invasive Species Presentation & Knowledge Games

August 21, Kokanee Creek Park near Nelson

Join the Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society (CKISS) at Kokanee Creek Provincial Park, for a day of fun and learning about invasive species! From 2 to 5 pm, CKISS will have an outreach booth by the beach, where you can learn about invasive species, how to identify them, and what you can do to help protect our beautiful natural environment. Then, from 7 to 8 pm, join CKISS at the Nature Centre for an engaging presentation and fun games that will test your knowledge about invasive species. It's a great opportunity for the whole family to learn and have fun together!

Click here for a poster with more details.

Art Meets Science: Climate Action and the Power of Art with Jill Pelto

August 28, Online

The dynamic fusion of art and science has the power to move hearts and minds. In the fourth webinar of Living Lakes Canada’s Lake Blitz Summer Speaker Series, climate artist Jill Pelto will illuminate the urgency of climate change and speak to how art can effectively communicate scientific concepts in accessible and engaging ways. Jill will share her breathtaking artwork and provide insights into the vital role of artistic expression in raising awareness about environmental challenges. This live webinar will be held from 5:30 to 6 pm PT / 6:30 to 7 pm MT followed by time for questions.

Click here to register. 

Meadow Creek Spawning Channel Open House

September 7, Meadow Creek

Join the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) for the annual open house at the Meadow Creek spawning channel, at the north end of Kootenay Lake! Learn how the spawning channel works, talk to biologists about the Nutrient Restoration Program, and learn about co-existing with grizzly bears. Hosted by FWCP and the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. From 10 am to 2 pm PT.

Click here for more information. 

Field Day 4: Fall & Winter Preparations, Meadow Preparation & Fall Seeding of 2025 Pollinator Habitats

September 14, Slocan Valley

This workshop is part of the Planting for Pollinators course series offered by Elk Root Conservation Farm Society. Specific topics in this fourth field day will include: pollinator habitat development grants available to support your 2025 pollinator habitat project plans; fall to winter preparations; preparing and seeding pollinator meadows; planting perennial native plants; selecting plants for dividing, cutting back and frost protection by plant preference; selection and planting of spring bulbs; protecting orchard trees and shrubs from winter rodent damage and more! Suitable for all levels of gardeners and ideal for beekeepers. From 9 am to 12 pm PT.

Click here for more information and to register. 

2024 Wetlands Institute Workshop – register now!

September 15 to 21, Creston & Cranbrook

The BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF’s) Wetlands Institute, a 7-day environmental stewardship workshop, is coming to Creston, Cranbrook and surrounding communities! BCWF is bringing this valuable course free of charge for those with a wetland or watershed-related project that benefits British Columbia. This workshop is suitable for consultants, planners, environmental/conservation groups, government representatives, First Nations, and engaged community members and landowners. Participants are expected to come to the course with a wetland project or program that they wish to implement in their community or have a high propensity to initiate a project/program in the future. Apply soon, as this course has been known to fill quickly! BCWF will accept a maximum of 25 participants on a rolling basis and will contact you to confirm acceptance after reviewing your application. 

Click here for more information and to register. 

2024 Annual Canadian Herpetological Society Conference

September 20 to 23, Vancouver Island

The Canadian Herpetological Society (CHS) is a registered charity that fosters research and conservation of Canada’s reptiles and amphibians, collectively known as herpetofauna. Each year, CHS’s annual conference is held at a different location across Canada. The 2024 conference will start with a half-day conservation genomics workshop and informal meet and greet in Sidney on Vancouver Island, followed by two days of talks and the annual general meeting. CHS hosts a banquet dinner on Saturday and the conference wraps up with field trips to various field sites on southern Vancouver Island on Monday. If you have a conservation project, natural history observation, or research findings related to Canada’s reptiles or amphibians, CHS welcomes you to submit an abstract for a poster or platform presentation. Platform and poster sessions during the conference cover all aspects of amphibian and reptile conservation biology and herpetological research, such as population dynamics, genetics, diseases, commercial harvest, status assessment, recovery plans, monitoring, habitat protection, community science, education, ethics, etc.

Click here for further information. 

Introduction to Camera Trap Data Management and Analysis in R

September 25 – 27, 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 within the R statistical environment. It will cover data storage and exploration of best practices, 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! This course is designed for students who are familiar with the basics of using R and R Studio.

Click here for more information and to register. 

Nerdy about Nature: Making Watershed Science Accessible through Social Media with Ross Reid

September 25, Online

For the last webinar in Living Lakes Canada’s Lake Blitz Summer Speaker Series, join to hear Ross Reid, the creative force behind the social media sensation Nerdy About Nature, which has nearly 300K followers on Instagram and 200K followers on TikTok. Ross will offer a glimpse into his captivating project, share clips of his favourite social media videos, and provide insights into promoting watershed restoration and accessibility in science education. Get ready for an engaging session that goes beyond the typical slideshow - prepare to learn, laugh, and leave inspired! This live webinar will be held from 5:30 to 6 pm PT / 6:30 to 7 pm MT followed by time for questions.

Click here to register. 

FWCP Grant Overview Info Session

September 26, Online

Learn more about the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) grants and action plans. Join FWCP for their grants overview info session on Thursday, September 26 at 1 pm PT / 2 pm MT.

Click here to register.

4 Seasons of Indigenous Learning

October to May, Online

Beginning this fall, offered in partnership with over 50 non-profit organizations, 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. This year of learning features 12 incredible Indigenous presenters from across Turtle Island (North America), including Shelley Boyd, Arrow Lakes Cultural Facilitator for the Sinixt Confederacy, Dr. Gregory Cajete, Director of Native American Studies at the University of New Mexico, Micaela Iron Shell-Dominguez, co-founder of the International Indigenous Youth Council, and scientist, author, and professor Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer. You are invited to watch the 2 minute welcome videos offered by Director of Indigenous Learning, Jenna Jasek (Secwépemc, Ktunaxa) and Indigenous Learning Facilitator, Alyson McMullen (Swampy Cree).

Click here for more information and to register.

‍Introduction to Decolonization in the ENGO Sector - now sold out

October 3 • 10 • 17 • 24

The Decolonizing ENGO-First Nation Partnerships workshop series will offer tailored programming designed to match Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (ENGOs) on their decolonial (un)learning journeys. This fall, members of the ENGO sector will be able to choose one of three workshop tracks: Introduction to Decolonization in the ENGO Sector, Advanced Decolonial Theory and Application, or For Indigenous Ears Only - A Space for Reflection and Action. Each series consists of four two-hour sessions. ‍Introduction to Decolonization in the ENGO Sector is designed for first-time learners and those with limited comfort exploring the Session topics. Sessions will be lecture-style making limited space for group discussion. Breakout rooms will be used intermittently to encourage first-time learners to practice discussing topics and gain confident understanding of materials.

Click here for more information and to register.

2024 KCP Fall Gathering 'Stewarding for Biodiversity”

October 4 - 5, Rossland

KCP is excited to host this year’s Fall Gathering in Rossland, on the theme of “Stewarding for Biodiversity”! The event will begin with lunch on Friday at 12 pm and continue throughout the afternoon with presentations and the Conservation Café. This will be followed by KCP’s AGM and a delicious banquet dinner and conservation leadership awards ceremony. We will be meeting at the Prestige Mountain Resort in Rossland. The Saturday field tour will be a full day outing to see local wetland restoration work in the morning, with lunch provided and afternoon tours of the brushland-grassland ecosystem in Beaver Creek Provincial Park. Registration is now open to all!

Click here for more information and to register.

CMI Annual Researcher’s Forum

October 8 & 9, Creston – proposals accepted until September 6

The CMI Annual Researcher’s Forum is an annual event to gather members of the scientific community, Indigenous community members and representatives, stewardship groups, and interested individuals to provide updates on ecological projects taking place in southeastern BC – everything from field trials, new restoration projects and their associated community initiatives, to ecosystem monitoring, research, etc. These updates cover a wide range of topics and species - from the valley bottom to the mountain top! This traveling event has an informal atmosphere where everyone is invited to attend, mix, and mingle. This year’s event will take place in Creston, and any ecological project goes! On October 8, an afternoon of short presentations and posters will be followed by an evening social, and a series of field trips on October 9. More details on the event schedule will become available after the Call for Proposals has closed. For anyone interested in offering a 5, 10 or 15 minute presentation, bringing a poster, or leading a local field trip, please check out the submission guidelines. Please submit all proposals to office@cmiae.org by September 6.

Click here for more information. 

‍‍Advanced Decolonial Theory and Application - now sold out

October 16 • 23 • 30 & November 6

The Decolonizing ENGO-First Nation Partnerships workshop series will offer tailored programming designed to match Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (ENGOs) on their decolonial (un)learning journeys. This fall, members of the ENGO sector will be able to choose one of three workshop tracks: Introduction to Decolonization in the ENGO Sector, Advanced Decolonial Theory and Application, or For Indigenous Ears Only - A Space for Reflection and Action. Each series consists of four two-hour sessions. Advanced Decolonial Theory and Application is designed for ENGO representatives who have experience with session topics and are ready to take chances by participating in potentially uncomfortable conversations to expose the root issues at play. These spaces are designed with safety of participants in mind with the goal of exposing the potential reproduction of colonial thinking/doing within the ENGO sector. Sessions will be conversational while making use of lecture-style teaching.

Click here for more information and to register. 

Environmental DNA (eDNA) Theory and Implementation

October 23 & 24, 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. Environmental DNA methods are predicated on basic biological principles and employ long-standing proven methods for laboratory testing. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is the preferred method for detecting DNA in water samples as it provides an effective way to amplify, detect and identify existing DNA in sample water collected from natural aquatic systems.

Click here for more information and to register. 

NHCP-LTCF Small Grants Program

Deadline: September 4

The Government of Canada is investing a further $90 million to their initial $100 million investment (2019-2023), over the next 3 years, in the Natural Heritage Conservation Program (from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2026) as a continuation of the Budget 2018’s Nature Legacy initiative. This funding will be shared by conservation partners including the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada, and Canada’s community and regional land trusts. The NHCP-LTCF program is designed to directly support Canada’s land conservation targets and as such, land funded under the NHCP-LTCF program must count towards objectives for permanent or long-term protection of land, either as a “Protected Area” (PA) or an “Other Effective area-based Conservation Measure” (OECM). Note that eligible projects must have a closing date before February 17, 2025. Application forms will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are allocated; applications must meet eligibility requirements in order to be considered. Applications are accepted as soon as possible until September 4 at 5 pm PT / 6 pm MT.

Click here for more information.

Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program grants

Deadline for Notice of Intent: September 10

The Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP’s) annual grant intake is open. In the Columbia region, all grant applicants must submit a notice of intent by September 10. FWCP’s Columbia Region board is working to strengthen engagement of First Nations in the fish and wildlife projects they fund. The mandatory notice of intent is used to inform First Nations in the Columbia region about your proposed project and is the basis for identifying opportunities for engagement in your project. Register for FWCP’s info session on August 1 to learn more. Full grant applications are due by November 1.

Click here for more information. 

BC Conservation Fund

Deadline: September 30

BC Parks Foundation has just launched the BC Conservation Fund and expressions of interest are welcome for the first stream of funding. The Fund was established between the Province of BC and the BC Parks Foundation late last fall and is dedicated to the protection of biodiverse areas in BC through sustained long-term financing. The Fund aims to support people working together in conservation and recognize and promote First Nations leadership and governance or co-governance in conservation and stewardship. The partnership has worked closely since last fall to reflect the needs, interests, and feedback they heard, designing the fund to maximize long lasting, positive, conservation impacts across the province. They are now ready and excited to invite Expressions of Interest for Area-Based Conservation Initiatives. Here are the four funding priorities: identifying biodiverse areas; securing a community mandate; conservation planning and agreements; and long-term stewardship and restoration of new conservation areas. Applications are strongly encouraged to be submitted by September 30, and if you have questions that are not answered on the website, please reach out to: info@bcconservationfund.ca.

Click here for more information and to submit an expression of interest. 

FireSmart Community Funding and Supports

Deadline: September 30

The FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program provides funding to local governments and First Nations in BC to increase community resiliency by undertaking community based FireSmart planning and activities that reduce the community’s risk from wildfire. Applications are currently being accepted for the 2024 intake of this funding stream.  Funding permitting, eligible applicants may apply until September 30. Program materials for the 2025 intake are now available and completed applications will be accepted starting October 1.

Click here for more information and to apply. 

Small-scale Ecosystem Grants from the Columbia Basin Trust

Deadline: November 28

Do you have a small-scale project, that helps improve ecological health and native biodiversity in the Basin? If so, the Trust wants to hear from you. Does your new project enhance a terrestrial and/or aquatic ecosystem, such as wetlands, fish habitat, forests or grasslands? Implement on-the-ground action? Have a small local scale? Take less than two years to implement? If your project meets these criteria, email Natasha Barisoff, Delivery of Benefits Manager, at ecosystems@ourtrust.org to discuss your project further. Deadline to apply is November 28 at 2 pm PT / 3 pm MT.

Click here for more information. 

BC Conservation & Biodiversity Awards

Deadline: December 31

The BC Conservation & Biodiversity Awards Foundation was established in 2020 to recognize and financially support conservation-based initiatives in the Province of BC. The awards are given annually for the most impactful initiatives brought forward by BC based charities, for specific work contributing to the improvement of the natural environment of BC and the preservation of its wilderness and biodiversity. Award applications are accepted throughout the calendar year to December 31, with the annual award winners then chosen by the Selection Committee and announced on March 1st of the following year.

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. 

Healthy Habitats Community Service Grants for Youth, Invasive Species Council of BC

Deadline: Ongoing

Through this micro grant program, it is the goal of the Invasive Species Council of BC (ISCBC) to provide you with financial and project management support to help you grow your skills and make an impact in your community. ISCBC's Youth Engagement Coordinators will be happy to support you through every step of the project. The guidelines will walk you through the application process. The micro-grant program is designed to support youth in various stages of their projects or ideas. They supply three distinct tiers of funding, each aimed at different scopes and scales. Applicants can apply for one of the three tiers based on the needs of their project. The project must align with the goals of the grant program, and must show a reasonable effort to protect the environment at a local, regional, or national scale. This could include educational materials, art installations, research, field activities, etc. They encourage applicants to think freely, and not to feel discouraged if your project idea does not align exactly with their examples. Applicants must be between the ages of 15 and 30 at the time of application.

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.

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 Career Internship Program

Deadline: First-come, first-served basis

The Columbia Basin Trust Career Internship Program provides eligible employers with up to 50 per cent of an intern’s salary (up to $25,000 over a seven to 12 month term) for full-time, career-focused positions that lead to permanent employment. Eligible employers are businesses, registered non-profits, municipalities, regional districts and Indigenous organizations within the Columbia Basin Trust region.

Click here for more information and how to apply.

Columbia Lake Stewardship Society

Program Coordinator, Columbia Valley

The Columbia Lake Stewardship Society (CLSS) is a charitable organization dedicated to preserving the ecological health and water supply of Columbia Lake for present and future generations through scientific investigation, collaboration, and outreach. CLSS is looking for a Program Coordinator to serve as the key leader and visionary for the organization. The Program Coordinator will be responsible for driving the organization’s mission, strategic direction, and program delivery. The Program Coordinator will work with the Board of Directors and citizen scientist volunteers and ensure the successful delivery of the organization’s programs. The Program Coordinator position is 32 hours per week, with some weekend shifts required. Applications are being accepted as soon as possible.

Click here for the full job posting.

Wildsight

Finance and Administration Coordinator, Kimberley

If you are organized and love checking things off of a to-do list, have at least two years of experience in bookkeeping, payroll, and/or administration (bonus if you have experience with Quickbooks Online), love numbers, and have experience in spreadsheet programs, this could be the job for you! You must be committed to Wildsight’s mission, and work well with a team, as well as on your own. Reporting to the Operations Director, the part-time Finance and Administration Coordinator plays a key role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the organization, working in bookkeeping, payroll, grant management and more. Applications are accepted as soon as possible.

Click here for the full job posting. 

Valhalla Foundation for Ecology

Contractors for invasive species removal, New Denver

Valhalla Foundation for Ecology (VFE) is seeking help to steward one of our region's most ecologically significant habitats - Snk'mip Marsh Sanctuary. They are offering $30 / hour for contractors to come pull invasive plants, including knapweed, burdock, hawkweed and St. John's wort from important wildlife habitat areas. Please join VFE and spend approximately 4-5 hours a session in a beautiful location while helping our local biodiversity and species at risk. Plan to bring whatever you need to feel comfortable in the elements, including gloves, a hat, water, bear spray and a shovel if you have one. This is a casual position and dates can be arranged based on your availability and the availability of our Team Lead. Please contact Amber Peters at amber.vfe@xplornet.ca to arrange a time to help if you can spare one or more days this season, starting as soon as possible. 

Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative

Manager, Communities and Conservation

Yellowstone to Yukon is seeking an experienced conservation professional to be their next Manager with the Communities and Conservation program. The Communities and Conservation Program currently focuses on human-wildlife coexistence and promoting well-planned and managed outdoor recreation. The Manager will focus on a variety of aspects of this work, including implementing recommendations from the field of recreation ecology, advancing better practices in recreation monitoring, planning, and management, and advocating for enduring human-wildlife coexistence efforts at multiple scales. As an integrated member of the Y2Y team, the Manager will also support the development and implementation of Indigenous-led conservation and working in ethical space, wildlife habitat connectivity efforts, and working strategically to evolve social systems for the best possible outcomes for nature. The position is multi-faceted and includes engagement with a variety of Y2Y partners. The successful candidate will be highly collaborative, a strong project manager, have exceptional communications skills, be comfortable talking to those who have strong opinions in opposition to your own, and an ability to successfully design and implement campaigns to create positive change at a systems level. Applications are being accepted until August 20.

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, we’d like to connect with you! Wild Voices for Kids is a program of the Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network. It is a unique program in the Basin as it enables local specialists to develop programs connected to the local environment and tailored to their area of expertise and passion. 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. Community Educators are the heart and soul of the Wild Voices for Kids program! Wild Voices for Kids promotes presenters and their programs and provides cash honoraria to community educators. For more information, see link below, or email the Wild Voices program manager at education@cbeen.org.

Click here for more information.

Wildsight Invermere

Volunteer Stewards of Lake Enid

In partnership with BC Recreation Sites and Trails, Wildsight Invermere is looking for volunteers who would like to become stewards of Lake Enid. You would be helping to monitor how the lake site is used, report any damage, and promote respect for its precious ecosystems. This program is still being developed so any and all interest and input will help to shape it, and there will be a variety of ways you can contribute including ecosystem restoration work bees or regular monitoring visits.

Please email invermere@wildsight.ca if you would like to be involved.

Wildsight Golden

Upper Columbia Swallow Habitat Enhancement Program Volunteers

Volunteer with the Upper Columbia Swallow Habitat Enhancement Project (UCSHEP) this summer! Volunteers are needed to monitor swallow nests, or colonies, or possibly to monitor the effectiveness of conservation actions already on the ground. This is a great way to learn more about local swallows and get outside at the same time! UCSHEP will also provide landowner outreach and education through farmers markets, bird walks, presentations, and give Barn Swallow nest cups to people that qualify. UCSHEP cannot do this work without the help of volunteers, and are looking for people who have binoculars to help between May and September - between Donald and Canal Flats. Training and support are provided. UCSHEP is also looking for any new Barn Swallow nesting locations, so if you know of any please let them know. This program is managed by local biologist Rachel Darvill and naturalist Verena Shaw, who look forward to hearing from you at swallows@wildsight.ca.

Click here for more information.

RDCK Local Conservation Fund 

Technical Review Committee Member, Kootenay Lake Area

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. Individuals who reside in the in the Kootenay Lake area (Electoral Areas A, D, E, and F) and those with experience in aquatic and riparian systems and/or wildlife are preferred. Applications will be received on an ongoing basis.

Click here for the full volunteer posting.

Multi-decadal floodplain classification and trend analysis in the Upper Columbia River valley, British Columbia

Italo Sampaio Rodrigues, et. al.

The Columbia River floodplain in BC represents a unique environment to assess wetland ecosystem changes over time associated with climatic and land use changes. A better understanding of the trends and changes in this study region will serve as an important reference for other similar wetlands in the Rocky Mountains. The primary goal of this study is to quantify the floodplain wetland response to changing hydroclimatic conditions within the Upper Columbia River Wetlands (UCRW) in Canada during the past 39 years (1984–2022). The objectives are to quantify and evaluate the historical trends and changes in (i) areal floodplain land cover (open water, marsh, wet meadow, and riparian shrubs and trees) extents within the UCRW and (ii) the peak flow conditions in the Columbia River over the last 39 years in terms of discharge, water level, maximum inundation extent, timing, and duration using remote sensing and river runoff observations. This study provides a framework for evaluating the effects of climate change in the UCRW, supporting regional decision-makers as part of strategic planning for the local biota and water resource management for the entire Canadian Columbia River. The study focuses on a ∼ 120 km stretch of the Upper Columbia River floodplain between Donald and Invermere within the Rocky Mountain Trench.

Click here to access the full report.

Two Minutes for Lake Heath: A Lake Windermere Ambassadors Community Survey Review

Lake Windermere Ambassadors

In the summer, on weekends of high recreation use, the Lake Windermere Ambassadors (LWA) have received feedback from residents and visitors who report feeling unsafe due to the number of motorized boats on the lake, aggressive boating, and wake generated from those boats. Additionally, the ecological impacts of motorized boating on our freshwater resources have long been a concern for the communities around Lake Windermere. Though our freshwater resources provide motorized recreation opportunities they are also relied on as a key tourism draw for non-motorized recreation, critical habitat for fish and wildlife, cultural significance, and are important sources of drinking water for communities in the area. To better understand what matters to the community, the LWA have undertaken a survey hoping to gain insight into the feelings of the community and visitors on the recreational use of Lake Windermere.

Click here to access the full survey report.

East Kootenay Ecosystem Enhancement Project report

Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship

The East Kootenay Enhancement Project is responsible for the coordination, oversight and implementation of restoration efforts. Activities have Included prescription development; invasive weed treatment; slash, pile and burning; mastication; burn planning; prescribed burning; monitoring and reporting. Natural Disturbance Type 4 (NDT4) habitats are ecosystems that have been created and maintained by naturally occurring events. In the Upland and Dryland habitats, wildfires and flooding were the main natural disturbances that occurred historically. The Ecosystem Restoration Program was developed to convert these forest types back to a tree density where prescribed burning in a controlled manner can be used to achieve similar results to the natural wildfires. In areas where stand densities and ground fuels are significant, treatments such as logging, slashing/piling/pile burning, and mastication need to be implemented before the introduction of fire to reduce the fuel loads and potential burn severity. The ecosystem enhancement efforts also include burning of higher elevation stands (NDT3) which historically are stand replacing fires. These fires return the stand back to an early seral stage, providing more forage for several years until stands densities and canopies increase again.

Click here to access the full report.

Marion Creek Wetland Restoration Project Final Report 

Nature Conservancy of Canada

The project addresses the need to restore key reaches of Marion Creek that have been altered through past ditching, channeling, and draining activities aimed at controlling flow for downstream ranching operations. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) hopes to restore the natural hydrology of Marion Creek and create climate resiliency on the landscape to benefit local populations of Westslope Cutthroat Trout and a diversity of other wildlife species. The project will take specific action to restore habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, bats, and at least 10 species at risk including American Badger, Western Painted Turtle, Common Nighthawk, and Western Toad. Constructing a complex of wetlands connected by a restored stream channel associated with Marion Creek will restore natural hydrology and significantly improve critical habitat for wildlife and key ungulate winter range, rangeland, recharge groundwater, address the urgent need to improve resiliency of local wetland ecosystems that are under threat of the impacts of climate change by buffering the seasonal availability of water resources, improving water quality for aquatic species, and by ensuring critical habitat for wetland-dependent species.

Click here to access the full report.

Salmo River Instream Enhancement Program (Phase 2)

Gerry Nellestijn, Salmo Watershed Streamkeepers Society

In the summer and fall of 2022, two sites in the Salmo River named Site A and Site B, underwent construction. These sites were partner funded by the Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) under their Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP) and the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP). The sites carried the dual purpose of providing: 1) restoration and enhancement of critical fish habitat and connectivity for Rainbow Trout and for blue-listed Bull Trout and 2) bank stabilization and water quality enhancing erosion control. Site A is located approximately 800 meters upstream of the confluence of Erie Creek and the Salmo River, and Site B is located approximately 300 meters downstream of the confluence of Apex Creek and Clearwater Creek on the Euphrates Trail on the Nelson Nordic Ski Club tenure. Prior to construction, written consent was obtained from all landowners adjacent to work sites and permits for “Changes in and About a Stream” were approved by the Province of British Columbia. Pre-construction monitoring was carried out at both sites. Day/night snorkel surveys were conducted ‘preconstruction’ in the river adjacent to sites slated for construction of fish habitat enhancement structures. Fish species and lengths were counted and recorded.

Click here to access the full report.

Canada’s 2030 Nature Strategy: Halting and Reversing Biodiversity Loss in Canada

Environment and Climate Change Canada

The 2030 Strategy builds on existing initiatives in all regions and sectors across the country, recognizing that these efforts have not been and will not be enough, as biodiversity continues to decline in Canada. Harnessing the transformative change needed to halt and reverse biodiversity loss requires a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach built on partnership and collaboration. It requires us to address the challenges that have held us back, rethink the paradigms and systems that led us to this crisis, and find new ways of doing things, of working together, and of financing our efforts. The 2030 Strategy addresses all 23 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) targets, matching the level of ambition for each. However, federal actions alone will not get us to success. For instance, federal lands account for only 6% of Canada’s landmass, while 76% are provincial and territorial, 6% are Indigenous owned, and 12% are under private ownership. Provincial and territorial leadership and ambition will be essential, complemented by actions in all other segments of society. Halting and reversing biodiversity loss is one of the great challenges of our time, but if we get it right, the transition to a nature-positive Canada will have profoundly positive impacts on our collective wellbeing, economic prosperity, and quality of life now and into the future.

Click here to access the full publication.

Recording: Understanding Potential Risks, Uncertainties and Benefits of Low-Tech Process Based Restoration

BC Wildlife Federation Wetlands Education Program

The BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF) presents Dr. Stephen Bennett as he shares insights from over a decade of experience in low-tech process-based restoration (LTPBR) in the United States. Dr. Bennett is a fish and wildlife biologist, adjunct professor with Utah State University in the Watershed Sciences Department, and co-founder of Anabranch Solutions, which specializes in the planning, implementation and monitoring of LTPBR projects. Dr. Bennett discusses successes and challenges faced with LTPBR projects, and cover topics ranging from adaptive management strategies and the lifespan of restoration structures to fish considerations and navigating permitting processes across various jurisdictions. The discussion includes the benefits of beaver-based restoration methods.

Click here to access the recording of the webinar.

Recording: Gaming the Ecosystem – the Truth about Salvage Logging

Interior Watershed Task Force, Fraser Headwaters Alliance & Wildsight

Have you ever wondered what "salvage" logging is, and how it affects communities, ecosystems and the climate? This webinar, held last month on July 15, answers these questions. The session featured Seraphine Munroe (Maiyoo Keyoh Society), Dr. Karen Price (independent ecologist), Dr. Phil Burton (emeritus University of Northern BC professor), Dr. Diana Six (University of Montana) and Dr. Dominick DellaSala (Wild Heritage). This event was co-sponsored by the Interior Watershed Task Force, the Fraser Headwaters Alliance and Wildsight.

Click here to access the recording of the webinar.

Recording: How mountain biking affects wildlife in the Elk Valley

Wildsight's Wild Spaces Recreation Dialogues

For the last three years, biologist Dr. Clayton Lamb has been researching how mountain biking affects wildlife in the Elk Valley. He set up 29 motion-activated cameras on different types of trails — roads, mountain bike trails and wildlife trails — to compare the intensity of animal activity at different times of day, and to see whether wildlife responded differently to hikers, bikers and motorized users. Using millions of trail cam images and extensive research, Clayton discusses his findings on how mountain biking affects wildlife, and Elk River Alliance’s Evgeni Matveev discusses Whirling Disease. In the following video, Evgeni’s talk can be viewed from 0:00 to 12:50, with Clayton’s beginning shortly after. This presentation was part of Wildsight's Wild Spaces Recreation Dialogues, an event series specifically designed for those who move through our valleys and mountains on foot, wheels or water.

Click here to access the recording.

KCP Annual Report 2023/2024

Available for viewing

From being featured as a model partnership in a national report on the benefits of conservation partnerships internationally, to supporting the RDCK in successfully expanding the Local Conservation Fund Service to Electoral Area F, and having record numbers of people tune in to our 8-part webinar series on the theme of “Wildlife Corridors and Ecological Connectivity” in partnership with the Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology, the 2023/2024 year was another busy and highly productive year for Kootenay Conservation Program. Our Annual Report contains more highlights and a summary of our various activities over the year, and is now available to view!

Click here to access the Annual Report.

Kootenay Connect: Riparian Wildlife Corridors for Climate Change – Year 4 Summary Report

Michael Proctor and Marcy Mahr

The Kootenay Connect Initiative envisions a regional network of 12 ecological corridors connecting important habitats, biodiversity hotspots, protected areas, and climate refugia across the human-settled valleys of the Kootenay region of BC. The premise behind Kootenay Connect is that landscape linkages focusing on large riparian-wetland complexes are essential for conserving biodiversity, habitat connectivity, species movement corridors, and ecological resilience in a changing climate. Since its inception in 2018, Kootenay Connect has integrated the best available science and local knowledge to identify important habitats for large carnivores, ungulates, and many at-risk species. Kootenay Connect’s collective on-the-ground conservation and management actions are supporting the recovery of 34 federally listed species at risk and working to help Canada achieve its goal of conserving 30% of its land and water by 2030. This Year 4 Summary Report presents the initiative’s scientific rationale, local, provincial, national, and international significance, corridor analysis, and maps of conservation values and threats in our region. It also provides progress and results from over $4 million investment in four of the 12 Kootenay Connect corridors with nearly 50 projects delivered by 35 partners that are contributing to species recovery and connected and protected landscapes. Projects include wetlands vulnerability assessment and restoration, species at risk habitat enhancement, forest thinning, invasive species management, wildlife-friendly fencing, creation of habitat features, potential large carnivore and ungulate wildlife corridors, access management, strategic land purchases, and more.

Click here to access the report.

KCP Stewardship Solutions Toolkit

Resource updated with growing number of stewardship listings

In 2019, KCP launched Stewardship Solutions, an easy-to-access stewardship resource for landowners and land managers in the Kootenays 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.

Kootenay Conservation Program

Conservation Resources for our Region

The Kootenay Conservation Program helps partners to coordinate and facilitate conservation efforts on private land, and in an effort to support this, KCP has developed a webpage that compiles some of the best conservation and stewardship resources available for our region.

Click here for more information.