Creation of a new KCP backgrounder document

Conservation Priorities in the Kootenays

Over the next few months, the Columbia Basin Trust will be engaging with residents in order to develop its strategic priorities. The Kootenay Conservation Program has created a document to outline effective conservation priorities recognized by KCP and our partners, and collaborative approaches to work towards achieving these conservation goals for the next 10 years. The Conservation Priorities document can be used as a reference when attending the Trust's community engagement sessions in-person or online, and when filling out the online survey. If you'd like to see the funding of conservation activities as a priority, please share your thoughts during this process! The survey opens on April 3, and the community engagement sessions also begin on April 3 and continue through May. Please see the Events section of this newsletter for the date and location of each community meeting.

Click here to access KCP's Conservation Priorities document.

KCP partnered with CMIAE to present 2023 Winter Webinar Series

All webinar recordings are now available to watch online 

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 2023 webinar series was hosted in partnership with the Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology (CMIAE) on the theme of “Foundations of Resilience: Understanding departures from historical ecosystems and adapting for resilient futures”. Restoring landscapes to increase their resilience and adapt to a changing climate is complex. This requires new ideas, new collaborations, and new ways of thinking about the restoration of processes across systems, across disciplines, and across scales. In this webinar series, a diverse group of scientists and practitioners shared their lessons and findings. Thanks to the generous support of the Columbia Basin Trust and CMIAE, this series was offered free of charge.

Click here for more information and to access the recordings.

Critter Day is back for 2023

Save the Date of May 13 for Critter Day at Beaver Creek Park near Trail

Hosted by the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP), the Trail Wildlife Association (TWA), and Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP), Critter Day is back on for 2023! This free, fun family event for the general public is aimed to increase awareness of the special ecosystems in the Trail and Pend d’Oreille region, share information about the unique and at-risk plants and animals that call these ecosystems home, and educate the general public and landowners on the importance and fragility of the habitat in the area. Critter Day 2023 will have kid’s activities, the opportunity to build nesting boxes, and will feature live sturgeon, local snakes, amphibians, reptiles, native bees, aquatic insects, and more.

Click here for more information.

Events Calendar

Public Calendar on KCP webpage 

We wanted to make sure that everyone knows about the Events Calendar on our webpage, which is kept up-to-date with upcoming events related to conservation throughout the Kootenay region. This calendar is a collaboration between the Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network (CBEEN), the Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology (CMIAE), and KCP. The calendar is intended as a simplified way for you to see upcoming conservation-related events for each month, all in one place.

Click here to see the Events Calendar.

Nature Trust of BC

Columbia Lake North – Wetlands Conservation Area

The Nature Trust of BC (NTBC) has secured the protection of 66.9 hectares of ecologically important land near the north end of Columbia Lake, within the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa Nation and the Secwépemc Nation. The property is known as the Columbia Lake North – Wetlands and is one of only three wetlands in BC designated as a Wetland of International Importance by Ramsar. It is also part of a biogeoclimatic zone of conservation concern, the very dry and cool Interior Douglas-fir zone and will strengthen a vital wildlife connectivity corridor for Grizzly Bear, Badgers, Wolverines, and Elk. This conservation area also provides habitat and protection for at-risk and endangered species including Great Blue Herons, American Badgers, Barn and Bank Swallows, Common Nighthawks, and Western Painted Turtles. Click here for more information about this important conservation acquisition by the NTBC.

Yaqan Nuʔkiy Lower Kootenay Band, Ktunaxa Nation

The Wetlands a short film

In 2017 the Lower Kootenay Band began planning the restoration of a number of wetland impoundments created in the late 1960's to mid 1980's, south of Creston. Due to the amount of information surrounding the project, a way to introduce the restoration work and cover the basics of why became harder to convey. This short film was created to help cover the main aspects of why this type of work is needed and to show the importance of involving Indigenous people along with the knowledge and skills they have. It's hoped that this film can also be a primer to spark discussion on many topics such as beginning to understand life cycles to more in depth goals and details learned throughout the wetlands restoration project so far. Click here to see the short film.

Living Lakes Canada

2023 Summer Mapping Program

This summer Living Lakes Canada in partnership with the Selkirk Geospatial Research Centre (SGRC) at Selkirk College will be offering the 2023 Summer Mapping program. This is an opportunity for your watershed group to work with a GIS student to create maps that communicate complex watershed information and engage your community. To participate in the Program, your project must be located in the Columbia Basin. For examples of past mapping work, please visit the SGRC website. The intake closes on April 14th, 5 pm PT. Please contact sophie@livinglakescanada.ca with any questions, with “Summer Mapping” in the subject line.  

Click here for the intake form. 

Province of British Columbia

Watershed Security Strategy and Fund – comment until April 17

British Columbians are invited to comment on a new Intentions Paper that outlines the Watershed Security Strategy and Fund, and potential actions to improve watershed health, such as strengthening existing water data and the tools used to monitor water demand and supply. The Intentions Paper is the mid-way point in the development of the Strategy and Fund and builds on what was heard during the first period of engagement in early 2022. The purpose of the Strategy and Fund is to lead the changes needed to create a future for BC where our watersheds are better cared for and stewarded together. Comments will be accepted until April 17. 

Click here for more information and to submit your feedback and comments. 

Wildsight

Call for Nominations: 2023 Ellen Zimmerman Award

Do you know someone who has made an outstanding contribution to protecting nature or environmental education in the Columbia Headwaters region - stretching from Canal Flats to the Mica Dam? Nominate them for the 2023 Ellen Zimmerman Award and celebrate their commitment to protecting nature and/or inspiring others through nature-based environmental education. The award winner will receive $1,000 to support their ongoing work and a commemorative art piece. Nominations are due by Earth Day, Saturday, April 22. 

Click here for more information and to nominate someone.

Columbia River Salmon Reintroduction Initiative

We are Salmon Warriors video

This short video was produced with the 21 young people from the Syilx Okanagan, Secwépemc and Ktunaxa Nations who gathered at the headwaters of the Columbia River for the first Salmon Warriors Gathering in August 2022.

Click here to see the video.

Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society

Save the Date of May 25 for the 2023 Kootenay Lake Summit

The Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society (FoKLSS) is excited to share that this will be the first in-person Summit since 2019, so you and your fellow lake lovers can meet for the first time or reconnect and engage in valuable discussions! If you’re new to the FoKLSS community or are hearing about the Summit for the first time, this is a well-attended annual event that inspires and educates the Kootenay Lake community on a topic they care about. This year, our supporters voted on a speaker series covering the topic of land-use issues affecting Kootenay Lake. The 2023 Kootenay Lake Summit will be taking place on May 25 at the Balfour Community Hall from 4 to 8 pm PT.

More details to come on the FoKLSS website.

BC Ministry of Water, Land & Resource Stewardship

Tree Frog Study

Wildlife ecologist Ian Adams and Leigh Anne Isaac, BC Small Mammal and Herpetofauna Specialist with BC Ministry of Water, Land & Resource Stewardship are working on a project to determine if there are two species of treefrog, Pseudacris sp., in southern British Columbia. Currently only one species, the Northern Pacific Treefrog, Pseudacris regilla is recognized to occur from the coast to the Rocky Mountains. However, recent evidence suggests that treefrogs in at least the Kootenay region belong to Sierra Treefrog, Pseudacris sierra. Ian and Leigh Anne are looking to collect treefrog tissue samples from the Southern Interior for genetic testing to determine if there are two species and, if so, where that change might occur. See this photo of a Pseudacris sp. tree frog. If you know of a site where treefrogs breed in British Columbia that is east of the Cascade and Coast Mountains, please get in touch with Ian and Leigh Ann via email at: larixecol@gmail.com.

Living Lakes Canada

The story of Bjerkness Creek

Every creek has a story to tell. Water monitoring data helps tell that story. For almost a decade, the Kootenay Watershed Science program, now under the Living Lakes Canada umbrella, has monitored Bjerkness Creek near Kaslo, B.C. This dataset, with over 215,000 records, tells the story of Bjerkness Creek and can help us predict how climate change will continue to impact this watershed.

Click here to read the article.

Province of BC 

Watershed strategy co-developed with First Nations, $100 million invested

Government and the B.C.-First Nations Water Table announced an unprecedented $100-million investment in healthy watersheds and the launch of engagement on a new co-developed watershed security strategy intentions paper to help ensure safe, clean water is available to communities throughout B.C. for generations. This $100-million investment in the Watershed Security Fund builds on last year’s $30-million commitment announced in Budget 2022, and will continue to improve B.C.’s watersheds and build on the success of a previous $27-million investment in the Healthy Watersheds Initiative (HWI) under the StrongerBC economic plan.

Click here to see the press release.

Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program

Plant and butterfly recorded in the province for the first time

Two species have been recorded for the first time in B.C. through a project in the Elk Valley for bighorn sheep, funded by the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP). The apetalous campion (Silene hitchguirei Bocq), is a perennial plant typically found to the east and south in sub-alpine habitat. The other exciting discovery was an Edwards’ fritillary butterfly (Argynnis edwardsii). The project, conserving winter range and grasslands for bighorn sheep in the East Kootenay, is led by the British Columbia Conservation Data Centre. It seeks to gather knowledge to inform ungulate management strategies by identifying where and how changes to high-elevation grasslands have occurred in the past decade.

Click here to see photos of the two species. 

British Columbia Wildlife Federation

Mitacs grants extend BCWF’s cougar and mule deer research projects 

Two interrelated research projects sponsored by the B.C. Wildlife Federation have received crucial grants from the federal innovation funding agency, Mitacs. The Southern B.C. Cougar project is led by UBC doctoral researcher Siobhan Darlington with a goal to better understand the habitat needs and territoriality of B.C.’s largest wild cats. The objectives of the study are to understand the population dynamics and distribution of cougars in B.C., what kinds of habitat they use and when, what they eat and how they select their prey, and how they compete with other predators. The Southern Interior Mule Deer project (SIMdeer) was also granted funding at a crucial moment for project lead Sam Foster, a doctoral researcher at the University of Idaho. 

Click here for more information. 

Government of Canada (CCIS)

Seeking research papers with linkages between invasive species and climate change

The Canadian Council on Invasive Species (CCIS) is working with partners across Canada to develop a National Invasive Species and Climate Change (NISCC) Network, which leverages the approach of the successful Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change (RISCC) Network in the USA. Like the RISCC management network, NISCC will work to reduce the joint effects of climate change and invasive species by synthesizing relevant science, sharing the needs and knowledge of managers, and building stronger scientist-manager communities. We are seeking Canadian-based research papers that have linkages between invasive species and climate change. With approval from the authors, submitted research will be summarized into one page, highlighting key findings, and shared online to support invasive species management. Submit research papers to programs@canadainvasives.ca. Please include “NISCC Research Submission” in the subject line.

Click here for more information. 

Kootenay Community Bat Program

Researchers seek public assistance as disease threatens BC’s bats

The Kootenay Community Bat Program, in collaboration with the Province of BC, are asking the public for help in the effort to detect and prevent the spread of White-Nose Syndrome (WNS). Residents are urged to report any bat activity observed in winter and any sick or dead bats found before May 31st. WNS is a fungal disease responsible for the death of millions of bats in eastern North America, and it continues to spread on the West Coast. The disease, which is harmless to humans, has been confirmed in bats just 100 kilometers south of the USA / BC border. 

Click here for more information and to report signs of bats. 

Columbia Basin Trust's Community Engagement Sessions

In-person and online throughout the Columbia Basin, April to June

Columbia Basin Trust is beginning its Community Engagement sessions with an online survey and in-person meetings through the Kootenays, starting on April 3 in Invermere. During this process, the Trust will hear from Basin residents about their priorities. If you'd like to see the funding of conservation activities as a priority, please share your thoughts! For your reference, KCP has prepared a backgrounder of what we have heard as conservation priorities through our partnership. See the Events section of this newsletter for the date and location of each community meeting. The online survey opens on April 3 as well.

Click here for more information.

Columbia Basin Trust

Ecosystem Enhancement and Restoration Project Ideas Workshops

The Trust is excited to share that they will continue to fund landscape-scale restoration and enhancement projects through its Ecosystem Enhancement Program and is now seeking ideas for eligible projects from across the Basin. Register now for an in-person workshop to learn more about the program and how to submit a project idea, bring and discuss ecosystem enhancement and restoration project ideas, discuss the resources and partners that could help further develop project ideas, and next steps to submit your project idea for potential Trust support. Anyone who has an idea for an ecosystem enhancement and/or restoration project and/or anyone who would like to contribute to a project, is welcome to attend. Workshops are in Cranbrook, Revelstoke, and Slocan; see the Events section of newsletter for dates, or click here for more information. 

Ducks Unlimited Canada

Rancher Partnership Program 

B.C. ranches are hotspots for biodiversity and play a critical role in our overall landscape resiliency and the health of our rural communities. Ducks Unlimited Canada launched the Rancher Partnership Pilot in 2022. The multiyear pilot is a partnership-based program focused on the conservation, restoration, and stewardship of wetlands, riparian areas, and grasslands of B.C.’s interior. Through the pilot program, DUC is working directly with ranchers to steward and protect species at risk habitat, enhance biodiversity, and increase carbon sequestration. On-the-ground conservation activities take many forms, but in terms of the Rancher Partnership Pilot they include infrastructure needs such as fencing and water developments or wetland and grassland enhancement and restoration. The Cariboo-Chilcotin region is a priority area for the 2023 Rancher Partnership Pilot, but Ducks Unlimited is happy to discuss potential projects on ranchlands across interior British Columbia. Interested? Let’s talk. Contact Matthew Christensen at m_christensen@ducks.ca, or by phone at 604-341-0672.

Columbia Basin Trust's Community Engagement Sessions

April 3, Invermere

Join the Trust at our open house followed by a guided community conversation, and share what's important to you and your community. Free of charge. Open house is from 3 pm to 6 pm MT, and the guided community conversation is from 6:30 to 8:30 pm MT.

Click here for more information.

Bank and barn swallows: conserving and creating nesting habitat

April 4, Online

Bank and barn swallows, two species with intrinsic value that provide an immense amount of natural mosquito control, are facing large population declines. In the last 40 years, Canadian bank swallow populations have declined by 98%, and barn swallow populations have declined by 76%. Breeding habitat is known to be a limiting factor. Join wildlife biologist Rachel Darvill to learn about an East Kootenay project led by Wildsight Golden, with funding from the FWCP, that aims to help reverse the alarming trend. Learn more about these amazing aerial insectivores, their status, the threats they face, knowledge gaps, and the results of on-the-ground habitat conservation and enhancement activities. At 12 pm PT / 1 pm MT. 

Click here for more information and to register. 

Help identify Water Concerns in the Lower Columbia-Kootenay Region

April 4, Online

Living Lakes Canada is seeking ongoing public input to understand community concerns and priorities around freshwater in what’s known as the Lower Columbia-Kootenay Hydrologic Region (see map), which includes the communities of Rossland, Trail, Castlegar, Nelson, Salmo, Yaqan Nukiy and Creston and surrounding areas. Everyone is welcome to contribute. The feedback collected will help inform the selection of water monitoring sites for the Columbia Basin Water Monitoring Framework that’s tracking climate impacts on water. The data collected will support communities and industry in adaptation planning for inevitable changes to water supply and be housed on the Columbia Basin Water Hub. This initiative has been developed in alignment with Indigenous and non-Indigenous government water monitoring priorities. From 2 to 3:30 pm PT.

Click here for more information and to register.

Columbia Basin Trust's Community Engagement Sessions

April 4, Canal Flats

Join the Trust at our open house followed by a guided community conversation, and share what's important to you and your community. Free of charge. Open house is from 3 pm to 6 pm MT, and the guided community conversation is from 6:30 to 8:30 pm MT.

Click here for more information.

Wetlands, Carbon and Climate Change 

April 5, Online

Join Thompson-Nicola Conservation Collaborative for a webinar on “Wetlands, Carbon and Climate Change” presented by Tom Pypker, Chair of the Department of Natural Resource Sciences at Thompson Rivers University. Wetlands play a key role in climate change mitigation and adaptation. They act as a carbon sink and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change by protecting against natural disasters such as floods and drought. Join us for an overview of wetland ecosystems and carbon sequestration in the face of climate change. From 12 pm to 1 pm PT / 1 pm to 2 pm MT. 

Click here for more information and to register. 

Wings and Blooms

April 5, Online

Presented by Mhairi Macfarlane, Director of Science and Stewardship with the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), this webinar will give you practical tips for adding more biodiversity to your windowsill, balcony, backyard, or ways you can get involved with your community. Join us to learn the ins and outs of spotting birds, protecting pollinators, and growing nature-friendly gardens. You’ll learn fascinating facts about the birds, bugs, and blooms around us. Anyone looking for ways to make a difference is welcome, no matter where you live, the size of your growing space, or your ability to tell a black-capped chickadee from a red-breasted nuthatch. Bring your questions! Register to receive your link to the live event and to submit your questions in advance (live questions will also be accepted). Afterwards, we’ll send you a link to the recording so you can catch anything you missed. From 2:30 to 3:30 pm PT / 3:30 to 4:30 pm MT. 

Click here for more information and to register.

Columbia Basin Trust's Community Engagement Sessions

April 5, Kimberley

Join the Trust at our open house, followed by a guided community conversation, and share what's important to you and your community. Free of charge. Open house is from 3 pm to 6 pm MT, and the guided community conversation is from 6:30 to 8:30 pm MT.

Click here for more information.

Columbia Basin Trust's Community Engagement Sessions

April 11, Lardeau Valley

Join the Trust at our open house followed by a guided community conversation, and share what's important to you and your community. Free of charge. Open house is from 3 pm to 6 pm PT, and the guided community conversation is from 6:30 to 8:30 pm PT.

Click here for more information.

Columbia Basin Trust's Community Engagement Sessions

April 12, Riondel

Join the Trust at our open house followed by a guided community conversation, and share what's important to you and your community. Free of charge. Open house is from 3 pm to 6 pm PT, and the guided community conversation is from 6:30 to 8:30 pm PT.

Click here for more information.

Navigating MBCA and SARA with the help of BC CDC tools 

April 13, Online

Migratory birds are declining across North America, resulting in a great need for conservation of both common and rare species. The federal Migratory Birds Convention Act (MBCA) and corresponding Regulations are one set of tools to help protect migratory birds. This workshop will provide an overview of the Act and recent changes to the Migratory Birds Regulations (updated in 2022), as well as a review of activities likely to harm migratory birds and guidance on how to avoid harm to migratory birds. The BC Conservation Data Centre (CDC) will give an overview of CDC methods and data. This workshop is offered by the Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology (CMIAE), and an outline of the workshop is available upon request by emailing: office@cmiae.org. Webinar is from 9 am to 1:30 pm PT / 10 am to 2:30 pm MT. 

Click here for more information and to register. 

UNDRIP & You

April 13, Online

The governments of Canada and BC have adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as their framework for reconciliation. But what does this mean for your organization and its work? Nonprofits, foundations, and local governments have important roles to play in advancing UNDRIP. Join us for a free webinar to hear from organizations on journeys of learning and action to respect Indigenous rights. This webinar is presented by the Real Estate Foundation of BC, with a variety of speakers including Nadine Raynolds, the Communities and Conservation Manager with the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative. This webinar starts at 10:30 am PT / 11:30 am MT.

Click here for more information and to register.

Four Seasons of Reconciliation Learning Opportunity

April 13, May 25, June 1, Online

Access the presentations of the spring sessions of the Four Seasons of Reconciliation Learning Opportunity, as well as the associated learning resources. Presented by the First Nations University of Canada and Reconciliation Education, these three presentations will be hosted by Indigenous leaders, elders, and educators: David Stevenson, Willie Poll & Raven Lacerte on April 13, Shelly Boyd on May 25, and Phyllis Webstad on June 1. The presentations are on Thursdays at 3:30 PT / 4:30 MT.

Click here for more information and to register.



Columbia Basin Trust's Community Engagement Sessions

April 13, Kaslo

Join the Trust at our open house followed by a guided community conversation, and share what's important to you and your community. Free of charge. Open house is from 3 pm to 6 pm PT, and the guided community conversation is from 6:30 to 8:30 pm PT.

Click here for more information.

Columbia Basin Trust's Community Engagement Sessions

April 17, Jaffray

Join the Trust at our open house, followed by a guided community conversation, and share what's important to you and your community. Free of charge. Open house is from 3 pm to 6 pm MT, and the guided community conversation is from 6:30 to 8:30 pm MT.

Click here for more information.

ʔíʔtxʷǎʔ Rooted at a Confluence: Stories, Lessons, and the Future of Camas in the BC Interior

April 17, Online

Presented by the Kootenay Native Plant Society (KNPS), this presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of camas (ʔíʔtxʷǎʔ) landscapes of the British Columbia Interior. Bren Beckwith, Ph.D., will explore how the Sinixt (Sńʕaýckstx) Peoples, the land, the plant, and many advocates and allies are building a confluence together to protect, conserve, and enhance the remnant camas populations in our region. Multidisciplinary information garnered from integrative and applied research and ethnoecological restoration activities will be described. The camas landscape of the BC Interior has shrunk dramatically and irreversibly and continues to be imperiled by public apathy, habitat loss, and climate change. However, through the collaborative, community-based work of the Kootenay Native Plant Society, in partnership with the Sinixt Confederacy over the last decade, a growing multigenerational community is growing to advocate for and revitalize ʔíʔtxʷǎʔ. From 7 to 8:30 pm PT / 8 to 9:30 pm MT. 

Click here for more information.

Columbia Basin Trust's Community Engagement Sessions

April 18, Fernie

Join the Trust at our open house followed by a guided community conversation, and share what's important to you and your community. Free of charge. Open house is from 3 pm to 6 pm MT, and the guided community conversation is from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm MT.

Click here for more information.

Ecosystem Enhancement and Restoration Project Ideas Workshop

April 19, Cranbrook

Columbia Basin Trust is continuing to fund landscape-scale restoration and enhancement projects and is now seeking ideas for eligible projects from across the Basin. Register now for an in-person workshop to learn more about the program and how to submit a project idea, bring and discuss ecosystem enhancement and restoration project ideas, discuss the resources and partners that could help further develop project ideas, and find out the next steps to submit your project idea for potential Trust support. From 9 am to 1 pm MT. 

Click here for more information and to register. 

Columbia Basin Trust's Community Engagement Sessions

April 19, Elkford

Join the Trust at our open house followed by a guided community conversation, and share what's important to you and your community. Free of charge. Open house is from 3 pm to 6 pm MT, and the guided community conversation is from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm MT.

Click here for more information.

Columbia Basin Trust's Community Engagement Sessions

April 20, Sparwood

Join the Trust at our open house followed by a guided community conversation, and share what's important to you and your community. Free of charge. Open house is from 3 pm to 6 pm MT, and the guided community conversation is from 6:30 to 8:30 pm MT.

Click here for more information.

Duck Lake Bird Walk

April 21, Duck Lake South, Creston 

During the lead up to the Creston Valley Bird Festival, we are having spring bird walks! These walks are family friendly and will explore various trails and habitats in the Creston Valley. Come out to learn about the ecology of the Creston Valley and have fun. Ulrike Silworsky, the Creston Valley Bird Festival Coordinator, will lead the walk. The walk will take place along the Duck Lake South Dike. Please sign up in advance for this free event, taking place at Duck Lake on Friday April 21, from 10 am to 12 pm PT.  

Click here for more information and to register. 

Community Engagement Strategies for Non-Profits

April 21, Online

This webinar is part of the Columbia Basin Trust’s free Spring 2023 webinars for non-profits. You have identified a real need or opportunity that you would like to address in your community or organization. How do you build a project to do this, and engage your community in the process? A strong plan that has community support will support the success of your project. This engaging webinar will help your non-profit to understand why community engagement is important, approaches and key considerations for engaging your community, and real-world examples of community engagement in action. Kel Saldern is an experienced community engagement professional with many years of project development experience. He has supported numerous Columbia Basin non-profits over the years. From 10 to 11:30 am PT /11 am to 12:30 pm MT.

Click here for more information and to register.

Comedy Fundraiser for Big Horn Sheep Herds in the Columbia Valley

April 21, Golden • April 22, Cranbrook • April 23, Invermere

Bighorn Comedy is partnering with Wildsight to raise money for Bighorn Sheep conservation! From April 21-23, some top comics will be touring the East Kootenay raising awareness and funds to help save the Bighorns. The 2023 Big Horn Comedy Tour is a standup comedy show hosted by Cranbrook’s own Sarah Stupar and featuring an all-star line-up of some of Canada’s best comedians. While living in Cranbrook from 2019-2021, Sarah worked as a flag person on the traffic circle in Radium, where she became obsessed with Bighorn Sheep. She decided to combine her love of standup with her love of Bighorn Sheep in efforts to raise money for conservation efforts and is so excited to bring this show to the East Kootenay. Proceeds from the Big Horny Comedy Tour will go directly to assist the efforts to save our Bighorn Sheep in both Golden and Radium. The show starts at 8 pm MT. 

Click here for more information and to get tickets. 

Columbia Basin Trust's Community Engagement Sessions

April 24, Revelstoke

Join the Trust at our open house followed by a guided community conversation, and share what's important to you and your community. Free of charge. Open house is from 3 pm to 6 pm PT, and the guided community conversation is from 6:30 to 8:30 pm PT.

Click here for more information.

Columbia Basin Trust's Community Engagement Sessions

April 25, Creston

Join the Trust at our open house followed by a guided community conversation, and share what's important to you and your community. Free of charge. Open house is from 3 pm to 6 pm PT, and the guided community conversation is from 6:30 to 8:30 pm PT.

Click here for more information.

Turtle Day 2023

April 26 at Elizabeth Lake Nature Centre, Cranbrook

You’re invited to this great family event! Come to Turtle Day at Elizabeth Lake and see western painted turtle hatchlings just hours after emerging from their nests. Talk to the naturalists and discover how this amazing creature has evolved and survives the winter. Learn about other animals that call Elizabeth Lake home. The Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program is hosting the free event with the Rocky Mountain Naturalists, and support from the Ministry of Forests. For more information, call 250-777-2591 or email fwcp@bchydro.com. From 2:30 to 4:30 pm MT.

Click here for more information. 

Columbia Basin Trust's Community Engagement Sessions

April 27, Yahk

Join the Trust at our open house followed by a guided community conversation, and share what's important to you and your community. Free of charge. Open house is from 3 pm to 6 pm MT, and the guided community conversation is from 6:30 to 8:30 pm MT.

Click here for more information.

3rd Annual National Lake Blitz – Registration closes April 30!

May 1 – September 30, Your Favourite Lake

Living Lakes Canada’s National Lake Blitz is an annual citizen-science program that encourages the widespread monitoring of lakes using simple tools. After signing up, each volunteer will be mailed a Lake Blitz Standard Kit containing a thermometer, tape measure, field guide, and datasheets. Free online training is provided on how to conduct lake monitoring using the kit, from data collection to data entry. Volunteers also receive a monthly newsletter and are invited to monthly online workshops featuring expert guest speakers who will present on a range of topics relevant to lake monitoring. 

Click here to sign up.

Columbia Basin Trust's Community Engagement Sessions

May 1, Fauquier 

Join the Trust at our open houses and guided community conversations and share what's important to you and your community. Free of charge. Open house is from 3 pm to 6 pm PT, and the guided community conversation is from 6:30 to 8:30 pm PT.

Click here for more information.

Bringing the Salmon Home Festival

May 2 - 3, Online

You’re invited! Join us for our third annual online Bringing the Salmon Home Festival, to learn more about our Indigenous-led work with diverse partners to bring the salmon home to the upper Columbia River. Explore innovative approaches to ecosystem restoration and cultural renewal. Enjoy presentations from knowledge keepers, artists, musicians, biologists, elders and youth. Check back often as our lineup of fabulous guest speakers will be updated in the days to come. These webinar events are all free and presented by the Columbia River Salmon Reintroduction Initiative. 

Click here for more information and to register.

Columbia Basin Trust's Community Engagement Sessions

May 2, New Denver

Join the Trust at our open houses and guided community conversations and share what's important to you and your community. Free of charge. Open house is from 3 pm to 6 pm PT, and the guided community conversation is from 6:30 to 8:30 pm PT.

Click here for more information.

Columbia Basin Trust's Community Engagement Sessions

May 3, Slocan • May 3, Nakusp

Join the Trust at our open houses and guided community conversations and share what's important to you and your community. Free of charge. Open house is from 3 pm to 6 pm PT, and the guided community conversation is from 6:30 to 8:30 pm PT.

Click here for more information.

Columbia Basin Trust's Community Engagement Sessions

May 4, Nelson

Join the Trust at our open houses and guided community conversations and share what's important to you and your community. Free of charge. Open house is from 3 pm to 6 pm PT, and the guided community conversation is from 6:30 to 8:30 pm PT.

Click here for more information.

Lake Blitz Volunteer Spring Training

May 6, Online

Lake Blitz volunteers are invited to sign up for the annual training session taking place on May 6. This 1.5 hour session will be hosted by Living Lakes Canada’s National Lake Blitz Program Manager, Camille LeBlanc. Camille will walk volunteers through a typical sampling day and show how to use the Lake Blitz Kit and Field Guide to accurately collect your data and observations. Volunteers will also practice using the Survey 123 app to enter their data into the Lake Blitz Observation Form, and learn how to navigate the Lake Blitz Observation Map to see all of the data coming in from across Canada. The first monitoring weekend officially starts on May 12. Workshop will run from 10 - 11:30 am PT/11 am - 12:30 pm MT.

Click here to sign up. 

Way̓ ʔíʔtxʷǎʔ - Camas Festival

May 7, Castlegar

Presented by the Kootenay Native Plant Society, the Way̓ ʔíʔtxʷǎʔ - Camas Festival will be at Millennium Park in Castlegar on Sunday, May 7 from 1 to 4 pm PT. Save the Date!

Click here for more information. 

Columbia Basin Trust's Community Engagement Sessions

May 8, Salmo

Join the Trust at our open houses and guided community conversations and share what's important to you and your community. Free of charge. Open house is from 3 pm to 6 pm PT, and the guided community conversation is from 6:30 to 8:30 pm PT.

Click here for more information.

Wings Over the Rockies Nature Festival

Monday May 8 - Sunday May 14

Our theme for 2023 is Wildlife & Landscapes - Exploring Connections. Our 26th annual festival is located in the beautiful upper Columbia River Valley centred around the mountain town of Invermere. Please plan to be an “early bird” to get your event choices! Usually, 70% of our festival tickets are purchased on the first day. We plan to have over 100 events over 7 days, many new ones too! Please plan to come and join us in 2023 and make your connection with wildlife and landscapes! Tickets will be available for purchase online on April 11 at 10 am MT.

Click here for the schedule of events and for more information.

Responsible Recreation: Pathways, Practices and Possibilities

May 9 - 10, Revelstoke and Online

Recreation and adventure tourism opportunities and activities are expanding globally, with the Columbia Mountains region being no exception. This two-day hybrid CMIAE conference taking place May 9-10, 2023 in Revelstoke and online is timely as an increasing number of people are pursuing outdoor activities, and there is growing recognition of the limited information, tools, and resources for managing and monitoring the impacts of these pressures on wildlife and habitat. It will be an excellent opportunity for scientists, managers, business operators, students, and the interested public to network and learn about current thinking on increasing outdoor recreation activities and the effect on wildlife and ecosystems. The event will address key questions regarding effects of current and future development and showcase best practices of established commercial and community managed recreation and adventure tourism tenures. 

Click here for more information. 

Columbia Basin Trust's Community Engagement Sessions

May 9, Castlegar

Join the Trust at our open houses and guided community conversations and share what's important to you and your community. Free of charge. Open house is from 3 pm to 6 pm PT, and the guided community conversation is from 6:30 to 8:30 pm PT.

Click here for more information.

Columbia Basin Trust's Community Engagement Sessions

May 10, Rossland

Join the Trust at our open houses and guided community conversations and share what's important to you and your community. Free of charge. Open house is from 3 pm to 6 pm PT, and the guided community conversation is from 6:30 to 8:30 pm PT.

Click here for more information.

Columbia Basin Trust's Community Engagement Sessions

May 11, Fruitvale 

Join the Trust at our open houses and guided community conversations and share what's important to you and your community. Free of charge. Open house is from 3 pm to 6 pm PT, and the guided community conversation is from 6:30 to 8:30 pm PT.

Click here for more information.

Creston Valley Bird Festival – Registration opens April 4

May 12 - 14, Creston

The Creston Valley is a vital birdwatching site, important bird area, and staging area for migratory birds with over 300 species of birds recorded. The Creston Valley Bird Fest celebrates this incredible diversity in an environmentally sensitive manner, inviting residents and visitors to expand their interest in the world of birds. The festival offers a variety of birdwatching activities guided by field experts, as well as photography and art displays and bird-oriented workshops. Promotional tours to local businesses and art studios have been incorporated into the festival providing eco-economic stimulus in a low impact way. Registration for the festival opens on April 4. 

Click here for the schedule of events and to register.

Critter Day

Saturday, May 13 at Beaver Creek Provincial Park, 10 minutes east of Trail

Critter Day is back! Get up close to some local amphibians, snakes, reptiles, aquatic insects, native bees, and more. Come and learn about all the special critters that call the Trail area, and Pend d’Oreille Valley, home. Enjoy the kids’ activities and take in all the cool displays. Bring your curiosity and your questions for our biologists! Critter Day is hosted by the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program, Kootenay Conservation Program, and Trail Wildlife Association, with support from the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, Trail Silver City Days, BC Parks and the Ministry of Forests. From 1 to 5 pm PT. 

Click here for more information.

Ecosystem Enhancement and Restoration Project Ideas Workshop

May 15, Slocan • May 17, Revelstoke

Columbia Basin Trust is continuing to fund landscape-scale restoration and enhancement projects and is now seeking ideas for eligible projects from across the Basin. Register now for an in-person workshop to learn more about the program and how to submit a project idea, bring and discuss ecosystem enhancement and restoration project ideas, discuss the resources and partners that could help further develop project ideas, and find out the next steps to submit your project idea for potential Trust support. From 9 am to 1 pm PT. 

Click here for more information and to register. 

Columbia Basin Trust Symposia

May 26 & 27, Cranbrook • June 9 & 10, Trail • June 23 & 24, Golden

For more than two decades, Basin residents have been connecting with each other at Trust symposia to discuss common interests. This year, the one-and-a-half day events will allow the Trust to share what we’ve heard from you during the community engagement process and continue to seek your feedback. Plus, together we’ll celebrate the region through food, music, art and entertainment.

Click here for more information.

BC Native Bee Course – apply by April 7

June 15 - 18 or 17 - 20, Penticton & Oliver, BC

The Native Bee Society of British Columbia (NBSBC) is excited to offer two, 4-day short courses in the Okanagan this coming June! Each offering will include two days in the lab, and two days in the field. We will cover a breadth of content from biology and ecology, to taxonomy and field methods. We expect an inspiring group of attendees, and would love you or other enthusiastic individuals to join us in discovering the nearly 600 species of native bees residing in British Columbia. For individuals from outside the province, you'll find that the course content and the specimens available for study, are perfectly applicable to Great Plains, Rocky Mountain, and Great Basin ecosystems. Session 1 is June 15 – 18; Session 2 is June 17 – 20, 8 am to 5 pm PT. Apply by April 7. 

Click here for more information and to apply.

2023 Summer Tour for the BC Chpt. of the Society for Range Management - looking for local projects & topics to showcase on the field tour! 

June 21 - 23, Cranbrook 

The mission of the Society for Range Management is to promote ways to maintain or enhance the integrity of the ecological community critical to the watersheds, plants, animals, and people that depend on rangelands for their sustenance. The summer tour will consist of an evening welcome session, a full day field tour, a banquet, and a half day learning session. We are expecting attendees from across BC, Washington and Oregon to attend, who all share a common interest in rangelands yet come from diverse backgrounds. We have some excellent topics and projects lined up ranging from species at risk to grassland restoration. Please save the date, we would love to have you, or members from your organization join us for all or just a portion of the tour! We are currently in the planning stages and have some field sites planned to showcase on the tour, however we are interested in showcasing more local topics/projects during the tour. If you or your organization has a project within the Cranbrook area that you would be interested in presenting during our tour, please send us more information so that it can be considered as a tour stop. You can contact Hailey at bcchaptersrm@gmail.com.

Click here for more information. 

Habitat Acquisition Grants from the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation

Deadline: April 17 

Each year, the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) provides approximately $500,000 in Habitat Acquisition grants to help fund acquisition projects that secure and manage conservation properties in British Columbia. For 2023, HCTF will continue to prioritize acquisition applications that seek to increase conservation outcomes for fish, wildlife, and their habitats, provide access for a variety of uses such as hunting, fishing, and non-motorized recreation and fit one or more of the conservation criteria. 

Click here for more information and to apply. 

Capacity Grants from the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation

Deadline: May 1

With grants up to $25,000 available, the focus of Capacity Grants is to build and strengthen capability and capacity of organizations to successfully design and deliver conservation or restoration projects aligned with Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation’s objectives. Capacity grants assist with the first steps in identifying, exploring, and undertaking actions to solve a local conservation challenge. The goals of the grant are to advance conservation planning, engage organizations and communities, and develop skills and abilities of communities. 

Click here for more information and to apply. 

Community Grants from the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation

Deadline: May 12

The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation will be accepting applications for Community Grants (formerly PCAF) in April, providing funding to organizations and individuals who need financial help to implement a conservation project. Since 1974, the Province of BC and HCTF provide approximately $150,000 each year to help implement on-the-ground conservation work, with a particular focus on hands-on, community-based, and public awareness initiatives. Eligible expenses total up to $10,000 in any one year. Note that the deadline to apply is Friday, May 12 at 4:30 pm PT. 

Click here for more information and to apply.

Scholarships available for Masters and PhD candidates 

Deadline: May 15

HCTF in partnership with the First Nations-B.C. Wildlife & Habitat Conservation Forum and the Province of British Columbia are excited to announce the launch of the Together for Wildlife Scholarship program! Together for Wildlife is now offering up to ten $20,000 academic scholarships to Masters and PhD candidates undertaking research that will support a positive impact on stewardship, management, policy, or decision making of wildlife in BC. These scholarships also aim to support reconciliation and collaboration, diversity of perspectives, and building community capacity among Indigenous communities and rural areas of BC. We encourage Indigenous students to apply because of the perspectives they contribute through diversity, inclusion, and community capacity building. We encourage all eligible candidates to apply for the Together for Wildlife Scholarship program by May 15. 

Click her for more information and to apply.

Ecosystem Enhancement & Restoration Grants from Columbia Basin Trust 

Deadline: July 12 for Expressions of Interest 

Based on input from Basin residents, one of our priorities is to support healthy, diverse and functioning ecosystems. Our Ecosystem Enhancement Program will have a meaningful and measurable impact in supporting and strengthening ecosystem health in the Basin. The Program goal is to help maintain and improve ecological health and native biodiversity in a variety of ecosystems, such as wetlands, fish habitat, forests and grasslands. This year is a Basin-wide call for eligible project ideas that restore and/or enhance a variety of ecotypes, including terrestrial, aquatic and wetlands. The Trust will identify projects focused on enhancement and restoration by seeking input from community groups, First Nations representatives and government experts, and existing regional plans and research.

Click here for more information and to apply. 

Columbia Basin Trust: Support Available to Improve Ecological Health

Deadline: Ongoing

Do you have a new project, big or small, 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 Jmaeff, Delivery of Benefits Manager, at njmaeff@ourtrust.org to discuss your project further.

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

Community Engagement Grants are typically $500 to $1,000 and help stewardship groups and others take action to benefit local fish and wildlife.

Click here for more information and how to apply.

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

Sample Collection and Education Assistant, Columbia Valley

The Columbia Lake Stewardship Society (CLSS) is looking for an individual who is passionate about water stewardship to be our Sample Collection and Education Assistant this summer! The successful candidate will work alongside scientists, trained citizen scientists and our Executive Director, and will assist with the collection of water quality samples and measurements, water quantity measurements, provide educational materials to community members and tourists through community outreach programs, participate in and promote our conservation initiatives, and assist in delivering educational summer camps for kids. The Assistant will average 30 hours weekly, with some evening and weekend shifts required. All applicants must be between the age of 15 to 30. Applications are accepted until April 6. 

Click here for the full job posting. 

Kootenay Columbia Discovery Centre Society

Wetland Naturalist, Creston

Do you have a love of nature and science? Are you passionate about inspiring people about the natural world? As a Wetland Naturalist, you will motivate, inspire, and connect children and adults to the wonderful world of wetlands by providing quality environmental education programs and front country excursions at the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area. Each season we offer post-secondary students and those interested in environmental education the opportunity to train as Naturalists and join us in showcasing this special wetland to visitors. The Wetland Naturalist position is seasonal from May 9 to September 2. Applications are accepted until the position is filled.

Click here for the full job posting.

Living Lakes Canada

Water Monitoring Technician (Biological Technician), Cranbrook

This Summer Student position will support the Columbia Basin Water Monitoring Framework and Columbia Basin Groundwater Monitoring programs. Reporting directly to the program managers, responsibilities include water monitoring, data management, communications and community engagement. Deadline to apply is April 4. 

Click here for the full job description.  

Living Lakes Canada

Wetlands Technician, Proximity to Columbia Wetlands for field season

Living Lakes Canada in partnership with Columbia Wetland Stewardship Partnership is hiring a Wetlands Technician (contracted, full-time). We are seeking an individual with experience in field work, GIS, and data management and analysis. The Wetlands Technician will work in the field during field season and will work independently via remote work space, collaborating with the Living Lakes Canada team, the CWSP team, the Columbia Valley Wetlands project team, and external partners on a regular basis. Must be a full time Columbia Basin resident, and able to relocate in proximity to the Columbia Wetlands (i.e. Invermere, Fairmont, Radium) for full field season May 1, 2023 to Oct 31, 2023. Deadline to apply is April 16.

Click here for the full job description. 

Wildsight 

Youth Climate Corps, Kimberley / Cranbrook & West Kootenay

Wildsight’s Youth Climate Corps is an opportunity to kickstart or further develop your career in climate related fields through multi-month paid contracts in BC’s Columbia Basin region. Our crews receive professional certifications, mentorship, leadership development, and practical work experience. You will immediately make a difference by implementing 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 17-30 and want to gain work experience, build networks and develop yourself personally and professionally, while being paid to do so, we want to hear from you. Applications will only be accepted until all positions are filled!

Click here for the full job posting.

Masse Environmental Consultants Ltd. 

Senior Terrestrial Ecologist 

Masse Environmental is a Nelson-based company providing high quality environmental consulting services to a diverse range of clients in the private and public sectors. We are looking for an experienced terrestrial ecologist to join our dynamic team and help us provide innovative and professional solutions to meet our clients’ needs. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading a variety of terrestrial environmental assessments and impact studies, developing mitigation and reclamation plans, liaising with clients and regulatory agencies, preparing science based technical reports, providing professional support to project managers and mentorship to junior staff. Assistance in other projects in the environmental management field will also be required. Applications are accepted until April 28. 

Click here for the full job posting. 

Elk River Alliance

Junior Environmental Field Technician

The Elk River Alliance is looking for a Junior Field Technician with a passion for the Elk River Watershed, environmental science, and education! This entry level position would suit a dynamic and enthusiastic recent grad looking for hands on experience in field based environmental projects and programs. Work will focus on water monitoring, fieldwork, and restoration and enhancement work, and may also include community outreach (local events, markets, kiosks, etc.). The successful applicant will be adaptable and comfortable learning new skills. This is an 8 week summer position, and applicants must be age 30 or under at the start of employment. Deadline for applications is April 30.

Click here for the full job posting.

Living Lakes Canada

Water Monitoring Programs Coordinator, East Kootenay

The Water Monitoring Program Coordinator will support the Living Lakes Canada Columbia Basin Water Monitoring Framework program and associated Groundwater Program, with a focus on community outreach and engagement. The Coordinator will assist with monitoring and lead outreach and education initiatives that align with Living Lakes Canada water monitoring programs. Job posting will remain open until the position is filled.

Click here for the full job description.

Living Lakes Canada

Digital Content Specialist, Anywhere with preference to Columbia Basin

Living Lakes Canada (LLC) seeks a creative, organized, proactive, and motivated Digital Content Specialist. Reporting directly to the Communications Director, the Digital Content Specialist will work closely with the LLC Communications Coordinator, program managers and coordinators to stay ahead of the organization’s social media and web presence demands and help develop and implement inspired and effective content across a variety of media to expand and engage all of LLC’s audiences (particular focus on LLC social media platforms). The ideal candidate will have a passion for climate action, environmental science, social change and storytelling. Job posting will remain open until the position is filled

Click here for the full job description.

BC Wildlife Federation

Senior Aquatic Biologist, Remote

The BCWF is seeking a Senior Aquatic Biologist with expert knowledge and project managing experience to join their Conservation Stewardship team. Working with BCWF staff, Indigenous communities, landowners, and project partners, this role will help identify and fill knowledge gaps, provide mentorship and advisory leadership to promote a long-term management and educational awareness of B.C.'s fish habitats. Posting open until the position is filled.

Click here for the job posting.

Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund

Technical Review Committee Member, Columbia Valley Region

The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) in partnership with the Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) are seeking qualified members for the Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund (CVLCF) Technical Review Committee (TRC). The volunteer role of the TRC is to make recommendations on allocating annual funding for conservation projects for the area from Canal Flats to Spillimacheen. Applications will be received on an ongoing basis.

Click here for the full posting.

Conservation, Restoration and Stewardship of Low Elevation Brushland (Gb), Grassland (Gg) and Dry Forest Ecosystems in the West Kootenay Region: Field Manual and Background Document, Version 3 

Evan Mckenzie & Thomas Hill, for the Okanagan Nation Alliance and FWCP 

Non-forested brushland (Gb) and grassland (Gg) ecological communities that occur on dry sites at low elevations in the West Kootenay Region have high ecological values but are uncommon across the landscape. The grassland ecosystem that occurs in our area is a red-listed community. Ranking of the brushland communities by the B.C. Conservation Data Centre (CDC) is currently in progress and the ecosystems will likely be listed as at-risk communities due to their ecological importance, scattered distribution, high sensitivity to disturbance and low resilience. The field manual was developed to provide clear and concise best management practices for conserving and protecting these sensitive ecosystems. The background document describes the project objective, goals and project area and provides information related to guiding work activities in low elevation Gb, Gg and dry forest ecosystems. It was developed to supplement and support the field manual summarizing the best management practices.

Click here to see the Field Manual, and here for the Background Document. 

Kootenay Village Challenge

Ecological Footprint Calculator & Map of Kootenay Communities 

Dr. William Rees, a professor at the University of British Columbia, devised the ecological footprint. The ecological footprint measures the impact of human activity by how fast we consume resources and generate waste. Here in the Kootenays, the ecological footprint has been calculated for each community profiled in the census by Statistics Canada. As a citizen, you can calculate the footprint of your own household and see how you fit with your neighbours. To play and compete, go here to take the Kootenay Village Challenge. Then, you can determine your own ecological footprint, as a challenge for Earth Day this month. The village footprint calculation method will be submitted to the Sustainability academic journal this spring. 

Click here for more information. 

Survey of Long-billed Curlews and Grasslands in BC 

David Bradley, Birds Canada

In 2017, Birds Canada began a study of Long-billed Curlews breeding in the East Kootenay grasslands at the Skookumchuck Prairie Important Bird and Biodiversity Area. This work had three main aims: to fit satellite transmitters to curlews to track their movements over a full year, to determine the breeding success of those birds in a natural prairie environment, and to connect with farmers and local naturalists in the area to learn from them about the species and what it means to them. In 2022, a BC-wide citizen-science curlew survey was initiated, to get a handle on the numbers of birds in the province. These surveys have revealed an interesting trend, not as much in the total numbers of birds, but more so in the distribution of those birds.

Click here to read the survey results. 

Supporting Riparian Health On Farmland For Flood Protection

Associated Environmental Consultants & BC Climate Change Adaptation Program (CCAP)

The implications of climate change have resulted in heightened flood risk in the Kootenay and Boundary regions. A healthy functioning riparian area can provide valuable flood resiliency and mitigate flood damage where these areas overlap with vital agricultural lands. Agricultural producers play an important role in riparian area management but require enhanced support to fully understand how riparian areas relate to flood mitigation, along with options for management. The purpose of the project is to understand gaps in knowledge and available information for producers with riparian areas on both large and small waterways in the Kootenays. Further, associates worked to fill those gaps and to transfer relevant information and resources to land users. This report summarizes the activities completed during the project to achieve these goals.

Click here to see the Reports and Fact Sheets.

Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners

Reference Library with new resources added

The Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners (CWSP) reference library contains the current and historical known research papers, projects, and land use plans for the Columbia Wetlands, including the area to the east and to the west bordered by the Rocky and Purcell mountains ranges. It is a work in progress with currently over 2000 citations and more being added every year. CWSP, where possible, houses the entire document of a reference in the library, which can be downloaded if desired.

Click here to access the reference library.

Recreation Ecology Research Project

Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative

Y2Y's research project will improve the understanding of when, where, and how people recreate and the impacts to wildlife. The project focuses on two areas in the Yellowstone to Yukon region: the Kananaskis-Ghost in Alberta and Upper Columbia of British Columbia (see map). We have three objectives to better understand recreation use and its impacts: 1) Map and classify trails from government and non-government sources. 2) Measure and model intensity of human use: when, where, how many, and which activities. 3) Model important wildlife habitat (grizzly bears, wolverines, and caribou) and compare to the intensity of recreation use. The recreation ecology team will present at the Responsible Recreation: Pathways, Practices and Possibilities conference in Revelstoke in May 2023, and we encourage you to attend. In addition, the project has a new and updated website!

Click here to see the updated project website.  

Natural and human-made nesting habitat use by Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) in Canada

Noémie Pelletier · Janice E. Arndt · Rachel Darvill · Marc-André Cyr

A new publication in the Canadian Field Naturalist includes some findings from the Upper Columbia Swallow Habitat Enhancement Project, which is partially funded by the CVLCF, and the Kootenay Bank Swallow Survey. This peer-reviewed literature speaks to natural and human-made nesting habitat use by Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) in Canada, including some implications for conservation.

Click here to access the article.

Moving transboundary conservation from Indigenous engagement to Indigenous leadership: Working across borders for a resilient Cascadia

Meade Krosby, Gwen Bridge, Erica T. Asinas, and Sonia A. Hall

As the number of transboundary conservation initiatives continues to grow in response to the twin threats of climate change and biodiversity loss, so too have calls for Indigenous-led conservation that recognizes Indigenous rights and supports Indigenous land and wildlife stewardship. And yet, because many transboundary initiatives have historically been settler-led, such efforts are now contending with how best to pivot toward models of more meaningful Indigenous engagement and leadership. We describe the Cascadia Partner Forum’s recently completed Blueprint for a Resilient Cascadia, a collaborative strategy for supporting large-landscape resilience in the transboundary region of Washington and British Columbia. We hope our reflections can help inform other transboundary conservation initiatives working to move away from what has been a predominantly colonizing model of conservation to one promoting Indigenous-led governance.

Click here to read the full report.

Protecting Migratory Corridors For Bottled Up Wildlife

Kurt Repanshek, National Parks Traveller

This article emphasizes the importance of large landscape level wildlife corridors, and the challenges that exist in efforts to protect large habitats. Protecting migratory corridors stretching hundreds of miles or more won't easily or quickly happen. Challenges range from the federal land management agencies with different missions to state, local, and even individual landowners in the proposed corridors who might not want to grant conservation easements. And all the while there's the clock ticking on the loss of biodiversity in the world. This article focuses on American parks, with links for more information.

Click here to access the article.

Forest Fuel Treatments for the Southern West Kootenays

Greg Utzig, Kutenai Nature Investigations Ltd.

This project was initiated to explore what types of fuel treatments would likely be most effective for application in forests in the Southern West Kootenays (S WK). The project has primarily involved a focused literature review of studies that assessed the efficacy of fuel treatments where those treatments have been tested under active wildfire conditions.

Click here to read the full report.

Rocky Mountain Trench Ecosystem Restoration Project

New Publications in the Online Library

As of January 13, 2023, there are important new publications in the Susan Bond Memorial Library. We try to locate and curate reports maps and documents that pertain to the natural resources of the East Kootenay. After feedback from some of our users, the Rocky Mountain Trench Ecosystem Restoration Program will be updating this resource once a year and will be keeping the new reports in their own annual folder in the library directory for at least 6 months for ease of review. 

Click here for more information on the new reports.

Working Together to Recover Whitebark and Limber Pine in the Canadian Rockies

Cyndi Smith and Brenda Shepherd

For the past twenty years, biologists in the national parks and provinces of Alberta and British Columbia have been joining forces to monitor their condition and take coordinated action toward recovery. Both species are declining due to mortality from an introduced fungus, white pine blister rust, and from attack by native mountain pine beetle. Whitebark and limber pine are both legally listed as endangered in Alberta, and whitebark pine is legally listed federally under the Species at Risk Act, while the federal listing of limber pine has been pending for almost a decade. During this presentation on November 15, 2022, Cyndi and Brenda discussed the overall recovery program which includes prescribed fires, stand surveys, cone collection, resistance testing, candidate tree protection, seed orchard, seedling planting and mechanical thinning, activities that are being undertaken to keep these two iconic species on the landscape.

Click here to access the recording.

Farmland Advantage

2021/2022 Impact Report 

Farmland Advantage began in 2016, as a small five-year research and development pilot project of the Windermere Farmer’s Institute and other partners. Farmland Advantage’s vision is that BC farmers actively contribute to, and are compensated for, regenerative agricultural practices that support ecosystem services and wildfire risk reduction. This is accomplished by taking actions that promote cleaner water, air and soil, healthier wildlife populations, and the mitigation of climate change impacts. The 2021/2022 year was foundational for the Farmland Advantage (FLA) Program. Learn about Farmland Advantage’s work over the program year, including details about each area we are working in, and what actions are being taken. The report provides an overview of the FLA program, the results achieved in the 2021/2022 program year, and provides an outlook for future growth of the program. 

Click here to read Farmland Advantage’s Impact 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. In late 2021, we completed a full review of the toolkit and updated 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.

A Case for Conservation

KCP brochure promoting private land conservation available

KCP's “Case for Conservation” trifold brochure details 9 different reasons why conserving private land is so crucial to the health of the region’s ecosystems that support a myriad of plant, fish and animal species — many of which are currently rare or endangered or at risk of becoming so. The brochure opens up into an attractive poster that can be easily posted in offices, public spaces and homes. Printed brochures are available for distribution. If you would like copies, please contact KCP Program Director Juliet Craig at: juliet@kootenayconservation.ca.

Click here to view the brochure and download the PDF.

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.