The Kootenay-Boundary region has secured $1.3 million in funding for a variety of conservation stewardship projects.
The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation is providing $8.5 million in funding total for 178 fish and wildlife conservation and conservation stewardship projects across B.C. this year.
Among this year’s projects in the Kootenay Boundary region is a multi-year project working to conserve the rare black cottonwood forests of the Kettle River.
The riparian ecosystems (which help connect land to water and provide fish habitat in B.C.) are home to several species at risk, and The Granby Wilderness Society has undertaken restoration work for several years to improve habitat.
This year the Society is increasing its stewardship efforts by working with landowners to identify habitat concerns and assist with additional restoration efforts.
“The biggest project successes are meeting landowners that have healthy riparian areas and are good stewards. Private lands play such an important role in conservation,” said project leader Jenny Coleshill.
The project is being supported by the HCTF and the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) with $30,480 in co-funding this year.
“HCTF has some of the best expertise in wildlife biology and habitat management. That’s why FESBC is so pleased to collaborate with HCTF. Together we have improved wildlife habitat on numerous successful projects all around British Columbia. And we will continue to endeavour to assist wildlife to thrive and flourish for generations to come.” said Steve Kozuki, executive director of FESBC.
Other HCTF-funded projects taking place in the Kootenays include:
- $130,500 for a River Guardian program in eight Kootenay region watersheds to maintain or improve angling quality and protect our native freshwater fish populations.
- $83,830 to enhance 112 hectares of elk winter range in the Upper Kicking Horse Canyon through thinning of immature forest to promote forage growth and allow ease of elk movement.
- $70,150 to restore habitat on approximately 105 km of roads within the Columbia North herd of the Southern Mountain Caribou ecotype.
- $38,222 for improving the basking log habitat for the blue-listed (Indigenous species which are vulnerable to the region) Western Painted Turtle on Erie Lake.
- $50,000 for the 2024 Wetlands Institute in the East Kootenays, a seven-day workshop that provides practitioners with the tools and knowledge to initiate wetland stewardship projects.
Each project funded by HCTF undergoes a multi-level, objective, and technical review process prior to the final Board review and decision.
To read more about these projects, visit HCTF’s website.
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