KCP partners with CMIAE to present 2023 Winter Webinar Series

Webinars continue on March 2, 9, 16

KCP’s 2023 Winter Webinar series on the theme of “Foundations of Resilience – Understanding departures from historical ecosystems and adapting for resilient futures”, is being delivered as a partnership with the Columbia Mountain Institute for Applied Ecology (CMIAE). Thanks to the generous support of the Columbia Basin Trust and CMIAE, this series is offered free of charge. There are three upcoming sessions in March: Cultural Burning on March 2nd; Climate adaptation in action in the Harrop – Procter Community Forest, on March 9th; and Tales of taking evidence through to conservation action for two iconic mountain dwellers: caribou and grizzly bear, on March 16th. For more information and to register for these webinars go to KCP’s Winter Webinar Series page.

The recordings of the previous four webinar sessions of 2023 are now ready for viewing on KCP’s YouTube Channel. 

Kootenay Connect featured on Kootenay Coop Radio 

Listen to the Kootenay Morning interview

Marcy Mahr, KCP’s Stewardship & Kootenay Connect Manager, was interviewed by on the Kootenay Morning show on February 15th. Marcy gave an overview of Kootenay Connect's Community-Nominated Priority Places projects going on throughout the East and West Kootenays. She spoke about the importance of wildlife corridors for a variety of local species including many species at risk, and about coexistence of people and wildlife. The projects are facilitated through collaborations with many partner organizations. Hear more about the incredible biodiversity of local project areas including in the Creston Valley and the Slocan Valley.

Click here to listen to the recording.

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 a Zoom meeting this spring, followed by in-person meetings through the Kootenays, starting in April. The Trust is pleased to invite you to share your perspective on how we can realize a better future for this incredible region. Your input will help the Trust develop the next Columbia Basin Management Plan. We all have a stake in this as residents and that’s why we call this process Our Trust, Our Future. Registration opens March 13.

Click here for more information.

Government of Canada

Seeking public comments on White Sturgeon Action Plan - until March 5

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has posted the proposed Action Plan for the White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) in Canada on the Species at Risk (SAR) Public Registry. This document will be open for a 60-day public comment period on the SAR Public Registry. Fisheries and Oceans Canada will review comments and integrate them as appropriate, after which the final version will be posted on the SAR Public Registry.

Click here for the Action Plan.

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.

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 Watershed Network Dissolution

Living Lakes Canada will adopt CBWN’s programs

During the 2021 CBWN Annual General Meeting held on April 27th, 2022, the motion was made to officially dissolve the Columbia Basin Watershed Network in accordance with provincial Societies Act requirements. The network would like to thank all the dedicated members who supported our mission to increase the impact and effectiveness of non-profit watershed stewardship groups and volunteers in improving watershed health. Over the years, we have strived to be a voice for watershed stewardship across the Basin and to work with partners towards setting and achieving regional goals in watershed stewardship including data for decision-making, regional water stewardship collaboration, and regional water stewardship resources. The remaining CBWN programs will be adopted by Living Lakes Canada to continue the momentum built by the network. Ongoing program communications can now be found through the Living Lakes Canada Newsletter, which CBWN members have been subscribed to. 

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 engage your community. Through a careful selection process, the review committee will identify up to eight different groups in the Columbia Basin with unique mapping needs. Your group will learn how to communicate complex watershed information in beautiful and easy-to-interpret maps. 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. 

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 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.

Regional District of Central Kootenay

Kootenay Lake Local Conservation Fund 2023 projects approved

The Board of the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) approved $74,376 in grant funds for the Kootenay Lake Local Conservation Fund to be distributed among six different projects. The fund provides grants to support local conservation efforts in Electoral Areas A, D and E focused on the conservation of water and aquatic systems, as well as wildlife and habitat. The six projects that will receive funding this year are: Grizzly Bear Coexistence Solutions, Harrop Wetland Restoration expansion, Protecting Indigenous Cultural Values and Fish and Wildlife Habitat on Kootenay Lake, Bat Roost Habitat Monitoring in the Kootenay Lake Region, Habitat Restoration for Beavers along the Duncan and Lardeau River Floodplains, and a Kootenay Watershed Science project.

Click here for more information.

Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative

Recreation Ecology Research Project

Western Canada is celebrated for its spectacular landscapes and unique wildlife and is an increasing outdoor tourism and recreation destination. However, the ecological impacts of recreation have been consistently identified as a leading stressor to fragmented mountain ecosystems and at-risk species. While federal and provincial governments have identified managing recreation as a priority, there is broad recognition that existing data sources and resources are inadequate. Our 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.

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. 

Farmland Advantage

ECCC Renews Support for FLA’s Work in BC’s Grasslands

Farmland Advantage (FLA) is pleased to announce that the Government of Canada, through Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), will continue to provide funding for Farmland Advantage until March 2025. ECCC has committed $445,000 in funding, under the Species at Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Lands (SARPAL) and Priority Places Programs. Support from ECCC is focused on habitat enhancement and conservation on farmland for the benefits of species at risk.

Click here for more information.

Environmental Education in the Grasslands Webinar

March 1, Online

Part of the ‘Grasslands as Teacher’ winter webinar series, the Grasslands Conservation Council of BC and Thompson-Nicola Conservation Collaborative present “Environmental Education in the Grasslands”, a webinar with Alexis Olynyk, Education Program Coordinator with the Allan Brooks Nature Centre. The Allan Brooks Nature Centre is committed to promoting the enjoyment of nature and increasing awareness of habitat conservation through environmental education and nature-related activities in the Okanagan region. Situated on a grassland knoll, the nature centre provides the perfect learning backdrop to educate youth and public on the importance of habitat conservation. This presentation will highlight their successful education model and how the grasslands can be utilized as a teacher to spark passion for the environment. From 12 pm to 1 pm PT. 

Click here for more information and to register.

2023 KCP Winter Webinar Series: Cultural burning

March 2, Online

For thousands of years fire has been integral to the health of mother earth. It was natural to the ecosystems and with knowledge of the land, the seasons, the environment, and the weather, indigenous people of the land set fires. The land was a mosaic of burns. The intention was to support healthier and more abundant medicinal plants, berries, tubers, grasslands, and various wildlife ecosystems. Fire was used by indigenous people over thousands of years; but, over the last approximately 100 years, Settlers and Colonial practices made it illegal to burn. During this 100 years, plant encroachment, bugs, disease, and now climate change have resulted in a forest that is ripe for catastrophic wildfire. Laws need to change, public education and views on indigenous cultural burning need acceptance. The stories of the indigenous elders, matriarchs, hunters, knowledge keepers, and traditional land users need to be captured so that Cultural Burning practices can be revived in a good way. Bringing back Cultural Burning is a way of avoiding future catastrophic wildfires and having summers once again safe and clear of smoke from mega wildfires. Presenter: Joe Gilchrist, interior Salish Fire Keepers Society. From 12 pm to 1 pm PT / 1 pm to 2 pm MT. 

Click here for more information and to register.

Green Bylaws in Action – Okanagan

March 2, Online 

During this one-hour lunch and learn panel discussion, you will hear from three Okanagan communities that have enacted green bylaws regarding their objectives, strategies, challenges, and successes. Come prepared with your questions or share your own challenges and successes during a round table discussion. Conservation, climate risk mitigation, and managing vital natural assets are top of mind these days, and we have collectively made great strides in understanding their importance. To assist in your efforts, the Stewardship Centre for BC is hosting this “Lunch and Learn” virtual panel where we will hear first-hand from communities who have enacted green bylaws and learn about the latest edition of the Green Bylaws Toolkit – a resource for local government staff and elected officials to navigate the steps leading to the enactment of bylaws that serve to protect, restore, and enhance natural assets within their communities. Green bylaws help protect wildlife, mitigate the effects of climate change, and preserve natural spaces for the health and enjoyment of community members. So, grab a sandwich and join us at this empowering session. Register for the meeting by clicking on the link below and receive your digital copy of the Green Bylaws Toolkit. From 12 pm to 1 pm PT.

Click here to register. 

Badgers in BC – An Update on Badger Research

March 2, Online

Do you study badgers or are planning research into badgers? Join us for this virtual Update on Badger Research in BC co-hosted by Estsék’ Environmental Services, Simpcw and Thompson-Nicola Conservation Collaborative. Simpcw Natural Resources Department and Estsék’ Environmental LLP (Estsék’) biologists are conducting a research project on the American badger jeffersonii subspecies (Taxidea taxus jeffersonii) in core badger habitat and surrounding corridors in Simpcwúl̓ecw (Simpcw Territory). The project is focusing on obtaining a current estimate of badger population numbers in Simpcw Territory through DNA and facial recognition analysis. These efforts will inform crucial conservation management decisions regarding badger populations, guide road mitigation strategy decisions, and by restoring blocked culverts, have an immediate beneficial impact on badger road mortality. Landowner outreach is another critical component of this project, and the team hopes that over the course of the project, they can help educate people on the unique benefits this species brings to the landscape, spread awareness of the unique requirements of this species, and decrease human-badger conflicts. From 1 pm to 3 pm PT / 2 pm to 4 pm MT. 

Click here for more information and to register. 

Migratory Birds Regulations 2022 Updates

March 2, Online

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Service will provide a presentation on the recently updated Migratory Birds Regulations and general guidance on avoiding harm to migratory birds, followed by a question and answer period. As you know, qualified environmental professionals can play a key role in the conservation of bird populations. This presentation is an opportunity for environmental consultants and other practicing professionals to stay up to date with federal legislation and for ECCC-CWS to understand the situations applied biologists are navigating. Presented by Chloe Boynton, Migratory Bird Biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Service, and Environment and Climate Change Canada. From 2 pm to 3 pm PT. 

Click here for more information and to register.

An evening of optimism in a warming Canada

March 6, Golden

Join Wildsight Golden’s Climate Action Taskforce upstairs at the Island restaurant for a presentation by Calvin Beauchesne on energy and climate policy, both at an international and federal level. The presentation will showcase what governments are doing to fight the climate crisis, and why there is a case for optimism in a time of despair and uncertainty. The full menu will be available. There will also be a door prize to win an awesome climate book! Donations will be accepted. The event will also be livestreamed and available to watch online. Begins at 7 pm MT. 

Click here for more information and to register.

Help identify Water Concerns in the Lower Columbia-Kootenay Region

March 7, Creston • 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. 

Click here for more information and to register.

Burrowing Owls in the Dry Interior Grasslands of BC

March 8, Online

Part of of the ‘Grasslands as Teacher’ winter webinar series, co-hosted by the Grasslands Conservation Council of BC and Thompson-Nicola Conservation Collaborative, this webinar is presented by Lauren Meads, Executive Director of the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of BC. The Western Burrowing Owl, Athene cunicularia hypugaea, is a Species at Risk in Canada and was extirpated from BC in the 1980s. For over 30 years the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of BC has been working on reintroducing the Burrowing Owl to the grasslands of BC through captive breeding and habitat enhancement. From 12 to 1 pm PT. 

Click here for more information and to register.

Help identify Water Concerns in the Upper Kootenay Region

March 8, Online

Living Lakes Canada is seeking ongoing public input to understand community concerns and priorities around freshwater in what’s known as the Upper Kootenay Hydrologic Region, which includes the City of Cranbrook, the communities of Tobacco Plains and ʔaq̓am, the Height of the Rockies Provincial Park, Koocanusa Reservoir, the Flathead River valley, and surrounding areas (see map). 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 pm to 3:30 pm MT. 

Click here for more information and to register.

2023 KCP Winter Webinar Series: Climate adaptation in action in the Harrop-Procter Community Forest

March 9, Online

Climate change projections and risks have been widely discussed in broad terms for many years, but climate change adaptation principles have generally been poorly integrated into operational forest management decision-making. Real world examples of systematic climate change adaptation efforts in the forestry sector are sparse. This presentation provides a case study that demonstrates how to integrate climate science and risk assessment into tangible forest management decision-making on a 11,300 hectare community forest on the West Arm of Kootenay Lake. The case study has an applied and practical focus that is oriented towards forest managers and decision makers. Presenter: Erik Leslie, RPF, Forest Manager, Harrop-Procter Community Co-operative. From 12 pm to 1 pm PT / 1 pm to 2 pm MT. 

Click here for more information and to register.

Four Seasons of Reconciliation Learning Opportunity

March 9, 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 four presentations will be hosted by Indigenous leaders, elders, and educators: Faye O’Neil on March 9, 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.



Introduction to Community-Based Water Monitoring Programs

March 13 & 30, Online

Living Lakes Canada is hosting 1-hour information sessions during the month of March for Local Government Elected Officials in the Columbia Basin (including the Boundary region). These interactive Zoom meetings are designed to raise awareness around community water concerns and introduce different community-based water monitoring programs taking place in the region that are available to local communities. There are 4 sessions to choose from, 9-10 am PT/ 10-11 am MT and 1-2 pm PT / 2-3 pm MT on both March 13 and 30.

Click here to register.

Indigenous Food Sovereignty

March 14, Online

Do you want to learn about Indigenous Food Sovereignty? Join for an in-depth conversation with Jacob Beaton, the person behind Tea Creek Farm and the United Nations Food Hero of the Year! In this conversation we'll be diving into what Indigenous Food Sovereignty means and how to make it a reality. Jacob Beaton, who operates Tea Creek Farm in Kitwanga, BC, will be leading the discussion and sharing his own work starting a farm that puts land-based Indigenous food sovereignty at its centre. Tea Creek is an award-winning Indigenous-led, culturally-safe, land-based Indigenous food sovereignty and trades training initiative. Our vision is resilient healthy local Indigenous communities and economies built on land-based programs and abundant local food. From 5 pm to 7 pm PT / 6 pm to 8 pm MT.

Click here for more information and to register.

2023 KCP Winter Webinar Series: Tales of taking evidence through to conservation action for two iconic mountain dwellers: caribou and grizzly bear

March 16, Online

Clayton will dive into decades of research on grizzly bears and caribou in British Columbia and provide two emerging examples of conservation success for these species. For caribou, the success focuses on the Indigenous-led recovery of the Klinse-Za caribou which have more than tripled in abundance due to actions by West Moberly and Saulteau First Nations. The second, grizzly bear, will focus not on promoting abundance but rather on coexistence between people and abundant grizzly bear populations in southeast BC—a uniquely abundant population of bears surrounded by threatened grizzly bears in Alberta and the US. Presenter: Clayton Lamb, Wildlife Scientist, Biodiversity Pathways, Universities of British Columbia & Montana. From 12 pm to 1 pm PT / 1 pm to 2 pm MT. 

Click here for more information and to register.

Pollination Pathways and Bird Friendly Cities

March 17, Online

Join this West Kootenay Climate Hub webinar featuring two local initiatives focused on enhancing our natural habitats, which could be applied in other municipalities as well. We'll be joined by the Kootenay Native Plant Society to hear about their Pollination Pathway Climate Adaptation Initiative that is working to enhance plant-pollinator communities. We'll also hear from a local resident who is hoping that Nelson will become a certified Bird Friendly City to ensure our community is a safe haven for birds rather than a source of threats. The Pollination Pathway Climate Adaptation Initiative aims to protect and connect wild plants and pollinators in the West Kootenay area. Valerie Huff, KNPS Program Manager, will present about the central importance of native plants in supporting wildlife, including birds. Rewilding with native plants and connecting to the local genetic diversity of wild plants, is something we can all do to mitigate biodiversity loss in the face of climate disruption. From 12 to 1 pm PT.

Click here for more information and to register.

Winter Wellness Walk

March 19, Golden

Refresh, reset and revive your senses with a guided Forest Flow experience, at the Rocky Mountain Buffalo Ranch near Golden. There’s literally nothing quite like it. Enjoy the proven health benefits of a practice like no other and take a step towards a healthier, happier you. Join Wildsight Golden for a guided forest walk with Sam Kay of the Wildlifers. Explore the wild spaces, play, and learn to soothe your nervous system, settle into your senses & connect with nature. Sunday, March 19 at 11 am MT. 

Click here for more information and to register.

National Lake Blitz Info Session for World Water Day

March 22, Online

World Water Day 2023 is all about “Accelerating Change” and inspiring individuals to take action. Looking for a meaningful way to participate? Join Living Lakes Canada for a short presentation and Q&A about the National Lake Blitz, the annual citizen-science program that encourages the widespread monitoring of lakes using simple tools. This is a great opportunity for new volunteers to learn the ropes and a refresher for those returning to monitor in 2023. Have your questions answered about this free citizen science lake monitoring program and learn how you or your organization can volunteer to be a part of the 2023 monitoring team. 

Click here to register.

Columbia Basin Trust Public Board Meeting

March 24, Revelstoke

Join the Columbia Basin Trust in person in Revelstoke, where you can meet the Board and ask questions about our work. For more information about our Board meetings, contact Jane Medlar at 1.800.505.8998 or jmedlar@ourtrust.org.

Click here for more information.

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 pm 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. 

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 pm to 8:30 pm MT.

Click here for more information.

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 pm 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 pm 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 pm to 8:30 pm PT.

Click here for more information.

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 pm 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 pm to 8:30 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.

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 pm to 8:30 pm MT.

Click here for more information.

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 pm 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 pm 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.

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 pm to 8:30 pm MT.

Click here for more information.

Columbia Basin Trust's Community Engagement Sessions

May 1, Fauquier • May 2, New Denver • May 3, Slocan • May 3, Nakusp • May 4, Nelson  • May 8, Salmo • May 9, Castlegar • May 10, Rossland • 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 pm to 8:30 pm PT.

Click here for more information.

3rd Annual National Lake Blitz – Registration now open!

May 1 – September 30, Your Favourite Lake

The National Lake Blitz is an annual citizen-science program that encourages the widespread monitoring of lakes using simple tools. Through monitoring, participants learn about the impacts affecting lake health and get inspired to protect them. 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. A Lake Blitz Level 2 Kit will also be available for purchase to allow enthusiastic volunteers to measure additional parameters including pH and water clarity. The lake monitoring season will run from May to September, and all the data collected will be uploaded to the Lake Blitz Observation Map. 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. Lake Blitz registration closes May 1, or when the supply of Lake Blitz Kits runs out.

Click here for more information and to register.

National Outdoor Learning Conference

May 4 - 6, Banff

The Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network and their non-profit Outdoor Learning Store is partnering with EECOM and Take Me Outside to host the first ever National Outdoor Learning Conference. The overarching theme for the 2023 Outdoor Learning Conference is “Place and Pedagogy: Where Learning Happens”. This inaugural Conference will focus on Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Health and Wellbeing and Environmental and Climate Change Education. Registration is now open.

Click here for more information and to register.

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. Our event calendar will be published online on March 30. Tickets will be available for purchase online on April 11 at 10 am MT. 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!

Click here 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. 

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 bugs, insects 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 BC Parks and the Ministry of Forests. From 1 pm to 5 pm PT. 

For more information visit the FWCP Events page, or call 250-777-2591.

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 engagement and continue to seek your feedback. Plus, together we’ll celebrate the region through food, music, art and entertainment.

Click here for more information.

2023 Water Monitoring Equipment Fund

Deadline: March 5

The 2023 Water Monitoring Equipment Fund is open for applications. The funds are to assist water stewardship groups to 1) purchase new monitoring equipment, or calibration solutions; 2) replace water monitoring equipment that is broken, worn out, or missing, and 3) maintain or fix water monitoring equipment that is malfunctioning. A maximum of $500 is available per member group, with a maximum of $100 out of the $500 towards calibration solutions. Priority will be given to projects involving youth, women and/or Indigenous groups, and to projects who are open to diverse collaboration. Please contact sophie@livinglakescanada.ca for any questions, with “equipment fund” in the subject line. 

Click here for the application form.

Habitat Conservation Trust Fund

Scholarships available for Masters and PhD candidates 

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.

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.

Ktunaxa Nation

Aquatic Biologist

The Aquatic Biologist is responsible for leading fish/aquatic biological research, monitoring and restoration projects, and providing scientific support to the Ktunaxa Nation Council (KNC), in our work to steward ecosystems and to develop Nation stewardship capacity. A focus of the work of the Aquatic Biologist will be the assessment of proposed development projects and provide recommendations to support decision making by leadership to ensure the health of ecosystems. The Aquatic Biologist will also be a representative for the KNC on initiatives related to fish and aquatic resources in collaboration with other First Nations, industry, governments, and non-government organizations. Reporting to the Guardian – Water Team Lead, the Aquatic Biologist works closely with other Lands & Resources sector staff, other sectors, Ktunaxa First Nations, industry, and external agencies to implement stewardship activities collaboratively. Along with technical knowledge, the Aquatic Biologist requires strong interpersonal, analytical, and conceptual thinking skills to synthesize diverse information and perspectives drawn from KNC staff and Ktunaxa citizens. This position operates within the objectives of protecting, conserving, and restoring fisheries/aquatic ecosystems within the Ktunaxa ʔamakʔis as the foundation for the continued exercise of indigenous fishing and related rights. This includes leading and providing coordination, facilitation, and technical support to Ktunaxa Nation stewardship initiatives. Applications are accepted until March 8. 

Click here for the full job posting.

Wildsight Kimberley Cranbrook

Program Coordinator

Are you passionate about sustainable and locally sourced food? What about advocating for the health of our watershed and providing education opportunities about invasive plant species? We’re looking for a passionate individual that can help make our local branch shine! Wildsight Kimberley Cranbrook is currently seeking a dynamic and organized individual who is willing to take the reins of the well-established Apple Capture Program, and a new Cranbrook project at Spooner Park. This is a part-time permanent contract position, based from a home office and/or situated in our Kimberley office space. The 2023/24 contract is based on 300 hours, with most of the work taking place between June - October at an average of 5-25 hours per week. The work hours are flexible, to accomplish the tasks as needed, however, September is a busy month due to the apple ripening season. If you are interested, we would love to hear from you! Applications will be accepted until 9am on Monday, March 13, and will be reviewed as they are received. 

Click here for the full job posting. 

Kootenay Columbia Discovery Centre Society

Wetland Naturalists, 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. The closing date for applications is March 15. 

Click here for the full job posting.

Living Lakes Canada

Environmental Program Coordinator (Lakes Program Assistant), Anywhere in BC - preference near Nelson

Living Lakes Canada is seeking an Environmental Program Coordinator (Lakes Program Assistant) with experience in the environmental non-profit sector, volunteer organization, and community outreach and education. The program coordinator will work independently via remote workspace, collaborating with the Living Lakes Canada team, the Lakes Program team, and external partners on a regular basis. This is a four-month summer student employment opportunity. The deadline to apply is March 15.

Click here for the full job posting.

Living Lakes Canada

Biological Technician (Water Monitoring Technician), Nelson

Living Lakes Canada is seeking a Biological Technician (Water Monitoring Technician) with an environmental sciences education and/or experience to support two of its monitoring programs. Reporting to both program managers, this position will be responsible for water monitoring, data management and community engagement. This is a four-month summer student employment opportunity. The deadline to apply is March 15.

Click here for the full job posting.

BC Wildlife Federation

Wetlands Assessment Assistant

The BC Wildlife Federation is looking for a 4-month Wetlands Assessment Assistant to work under the guidance of the Wetlands Assessment and Field Coordinator. The Wetlands Workforce project works to improve the health of watersheds while creating economic and skill building opportunities and strengthening relationships with First Nations and Indigenous-led organizations. Learn more about the Wetlands Workforce. The successful candidate for this position will travel extensively in BC, working frequently outdoors under various conditions. The candidate will also work collaboratively with the team in a remote work-from-home setting on office days. This competitive internship opportunity provides hands-on experience for individuals who are interested in a career in ecology and/or conservation. In this position, you will have the unique opportunity to get involved in rewarding conservation and stewardship work throughout BC! Applicants must apply by March 15 at 11:59 pm PT. However, we will review applications and conduct interviews on the rolling basis, and we encourage applicants to apply early.

Click here for the full job posting.

Nature Trust of BC

Kootenay Conservation Field Crew, Cranbrook

The Nature Trust of British Columbia (NTBC) is looking for a Crew Member who will assist in a variety of land management activities on over 20 conservation property complexes within the Kootenay region. You will work on both NTBC and BC provincial conservation properties to help achieve shared conservation objectives. You will report to the Kootenay Conservation Crew Supervisor, and work as a coordinated team to complete the annual work plan. This is a full-time contract position from May through August, based in Cranbrook, B.C. The Crew Member will report directly to the Crew Supervisor. Applications are accepted until March 17. 

Click here for the full job posting. 

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.

Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative

Director of Landscape Connectivity

Yellowstone to Yukon is seeking a senior professional to be their next Director of Landscape Connectivity. This position is responsible for ensuring key functional wildlife corridors connect core habitats within priority areas of the Y2Y landscape. This position leads our work to ensure functional wildlife corridors maintain, enhance and restore ecological connectivity among and between protected areas where a) connectivity is already compromised; b) activities threaten to sever existing connectivity and/or c) that are key to connecting core areas and supporting resilience to climate change.  All of our work is highly collaborative and requires working from local to regional scales and on key national and global enabling policies. Posting open until the position is filled.

Click here for the full job posting.

East Kootenay Invasive Species Council

Invasive Species Field Assistants

This position is open to applicants 15 to 30 years old based anywhere within the Regional District of East Kootenay (Kimberley/Cranbrook area preferred). As the Field Assistant, you will be our “weed warrior,” working hard to fight the impacts of invasive species within the East Kootenay Region. Together, with the direction of the Field Operations Coordinator, you will travel across the region to conduct fieldwork activities such as hand pulling weeds, assisting in herbicide application, conducting invasive plant inventories, reseeding disturbed sites, establishing and monitoring research trials, biocontrol collection, and dispersals, monitoring invasive plant infestations and treatments, conducting lake monitoring for invasive mussels, managing data collection, installing signage, and helping with research and monitoring of invasive plant plots. Deadline for applications is March 24.

Click here for the full job posting.

East Kootenay Invasive Species Council

Invasive Species Education Assistants

This position is open to applicants 15 to 30 years old based anywhere within the Regional District of East Kootenay (Kimberley/Cranbrook area preferred). As the Education Assistant, you will be “boots-on-the ground” as the face of the East Kootenay Invasive Species Council. Together, with the direction of the Education and Communications Manager, you will raise awareness and knowledge of the impacts of invasive species within the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK). You will travel across the region to present workshops and courses both online and in person, attend events, deliver basic courses about invasive species identification and management, guide invasive species walks, and contribute to social media platforms. You will also get an opportunity to work with the field team when they need a hand with monitoring and surveying. Deadline for applications is March 24.

Click here for the full job posting.

The Land Conservancy of British Columbia

Fort Shepherd Conservancy Area Site Coordinator

The Fort Shepherd Conservancy Area is a property with outstanding ecological and historical features, located just 6 km south of Trail, BC. Running for more than 8 km along the west side of the Columbia River, with the largest intact area of very dry, warm Interior Cedar Hemlock in BC, the Fort Shepherd Conservancy Area is ecologically unique. The Fort Shepherd Conservancy Area (FSCA) Site Coordinator works at the FSCA to assist in the effective functioning and coordination of all FSCA objectives as stated in the Management Plan. The FSCA Site Coordinator will plan, and coordinate activities relating to program objectives; oversee conservation partner projects; ensure program activities are conducted in a safe manner; and coordinate volunteer groups involved with restoration or regular maintenance of the Conservancy Area. Interested candidates need to apply by March 31.

Click here for the full job posting.

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.

Reconciliation and Organizational Change within ENGOs – A Panel Discussion

Sustainability Network – Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership 

This panel discussion on January 17 was moderated by Chloe Dragon-Smith, a Land Relations Specialist of the Somba K’é, Denendeh, and featured Nathan Cardinal (Nature Conservancy of Canada/Parks Canada) and Jen McKillop (Nature Conservancy of Canada), Hannah Askew (Sierra Club BC) and kQwa'st'not ~ Charlene George (Cultural Voice & Facilitator), and Claire Hutton and Amanda Karst (Nature United). In recent years, many environmental organizations have identified Indigenous-led conservation and reconciliation as priorities. True reconciliation, however, will require organizations to critically reflect on their past and current approaches and assumptions, understand and learn from the historical and ongoing harms of colonial conservation, and take genuine and concrete actions for change. The panel outlined key principles for organizational change initiatives within environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) to support and create space for Indigenous voices, knowledge systems, laws, rights, and responsibilities. On this recording, you will hear stories and experiences from environmental organizations that explore intentional approaches to prioritizing Indigenous conservation leadership through strategic planning, hiring practices, communications, fundraising, relationship-building, and more. Note that this recording will only be available until March 19. 

Click here to access the recording. 

Current Trends in Wildlife Management in BC and Beyond

Association of Professional Biology (BC) 

On December 6, 2022, the BC Association of Professional Biology were pleased to host a stimulating discussion on wildlife management issues in BC and beyond at our 2022 Virtual Fall Forum with guest speaker Jesse Zeman, the Executive Director for the BC Wildlife Federation. Jesse’s background is in social sciences looking at resident hunters’ preferences, motivations, and willingness to contribute to wildlife management. Jesse has a keen interest in the restoration and sustainable use of fish and wildlife across British Columbia. After a brief introduction to the BC Wildlife Federation, Jesse and Jason Jones (APB Vice President) moderated a discussion on three broad topics: 1) How do we put fire back on the landscape at a meaningful scale? 2) How do we restore ecological functions of fish, water, and wetlands in the face of climate change? 3) How do we fund fish and wildlife management in BC? This recording will only be available until March 31. 

Click here to access the recording. 

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. Here, 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.

Management of invasive plants

Myra Juckers, Environmental Officer for Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it First Nation

Myra has written four reports documenting her studies on the Tobacco Plains First Nation to control the spread of sulphur cinquefoil (Potentilla recta) through goat grazing, herbicide or native species biomass. These reports are available online through the Susan Bond Library, Rocky Mountain Trench Ecosystem Restoration Program.

Click here to access the reports.

Best Management Practices for Whitebark Pine

Species at Risk Recovery Branch

This report outlines the surveys, thinning operations, seed collection, and planting of Whitebark pine. The ecology and value of this pine to the environment and local species are outlined. The main author Randy Moody is a Kimberley resident. This report is available online through the Susan Bond Library, Rocky Mountain Trench Ecosystem Restoration Program.

Click here to access the report.

Landscape Level Fire Ecology in the East Kootenays

Jennifer N. Baron · Sarah E. Gergel · Paul F. Hessburg · Lori D. Daniels

Two excellent papers on landscape level fire ecology in the East Kootenay have come out in 2022. Both reports are fascinating in that they quantify several assumptions that have always been in the fire maintained ecosystem restoration program. These reports are available online through the Susan Bond Library, Rocky Mountain Trench Ecosystem Restoration Program.

Click here to access the reports.

Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative

New research fills in gaps on recreational trail use in SE BC and SW AB

A new report released by researchers at University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) and Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) shows at least 24 per cent of trails on public land in Kananaskis Country and B.C.’s Upper Columbia are not documented by governments. Past studies suggest behaviour of wildlife changes in response to certain types of recreation. By understanding which trails experience heavy overlap with important wildlife habitats, recreationists can decrease competition with wildlife for space while also decreasing potential for conflicts between user groups.

Click here to read the full article and download the 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. Fire is both friend and foe; it kills off competing conifers, but can also be killed by large, stand-replacing wildfire. And on top of all that, climate change interacts negatively with the other threats. 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.

Living Lakes Canada

Water Monitoring for Adaptation in the Columbia Basin: 2022 Pilot & Technical Reports available

Living Lakes Canada has developed a new framework for an expanded water monitoring network across the Columbia Basin to track and understand climate impacts on water. The data collected will support decision makers in their ability to help communities and industry prepare for inevitable changes to water supply. The Columbia Basin Water Monitoring Framework was implemented in three pilot areas this past summer: the North Kootenay Lake/Slocan Valley region in the West Kootenay, and the Columbia Valley and Elk River Valley in the East Kootenay. In each pilot area, water monitoring sites were selected based on a combination of community priorities and scientific metrics. Overall, monitoring sites were selected for 26 hydrometric stations, eight lake level stations and three climate stations.

Click here for the Pilot Implementation and Geospatial Analysis reports.



Columbia River Salmon Reintroduction Initiative

Reflecting on 2022

2022 was the third year of our Bringing the Salmon Home: The Columbia River Salmon Reintroduction Initiative, the Indigenous-led work of the Syilx Okanagan, Secwépemc, and Ktunaxa Nations, with Canada and British Columbia. The CRSRI Technical Working Group has three studies underway in the field, the Indigenous Knowledge Counsel is exploring opportunities for merging Indigenous culture and worldviews with western science, and the team of Outreach and Engagement Organizers are building important relationships within and across their respective Nations.

Click here for the full update.

Province of BC

Subscribe to Recovery Documents

Did you know that you can subscribe to the provincial government Recovery documents website for automatic notifications as soon as any new documents are posted? (See subscribe box at the top of the page.) This page provides links to B.C. and federal recovery documents (i.e., management plans, recovery plans/strategies, action plans, implementation plans) written for species and ecosystems occurring in B.C., including terrestrial, aquatic, and marine. It also has a very user-friendly search/sort feature to easily find documents by keyword, species, and date.

Click here to subscribe.

Old-growth trees more drought tolerant than younger ones, providing a buffer against climate change

University of Michigan

A new analysis of more than 20,000 trees on five continents shows that old-growth trees are more drought tolerant than younger trees in the forest canopy and may be better able to withstand future climate extremes. The findings highlight the importance of preserving the world's remaining old-growth forests, which are biodiversity strongholds that store vast amounts of planet-warming carbon, according to forest ecologists.

Click here for the full article.

South Selkirks-Lower Columbia Conservation Action Forum

Science Presentation Reports are now available

On November 7, 2022, KCP held our eighth and largest Conservation Action Forum for the South Selkirks-Lower Columbia area in Trail. KCP teamed up with the Okanagan Nation Alliance and Trail Wildlife Association to host this event in Trail in which 38 participants identified priority actions for maintaining healthy fish and wildlife populations, plants and habitats, and ecological functions in this transborder region. Informative presentations and lively discussions inspired the creation of five Priority Action Plans that addressed protecting native plant seed sources, protecting key habitats that support local biodiversity and species at risk, building community support and capacity for prescribed fire, preventing and managing invasive species, and conserving priority ecological corridors for terrestrial and aquatic connectivity. We thank everyone who attended for their contributions to making this event such a success.

Click here to access the Science Presentations and Summary 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.