“Rivers to Ridges”: KCP collaborates with Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it First Nation to help foster connections for conservation.

During the 2-day event on October 3 & 4 in Fernie, Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) highlighted the power of partnerships and collaboration in the ongoing conservation of Qukin ʔamakʔis, meaning “Raven’s Land” and also known as the Elk Valley. This biodiverse valley provided us with an opportunity to explore the importance of connectivity – from rivers to ridges – and the deep cultural and ecological values of the landscape. 

Friday’s conference was held at Fernie Alpine Resort. We began with KCP’s AGM, attended by representatives of many of KCP’s partner organizations, and open to all attendees of the conference. We were then joined by the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative Board and staff for lunch and the first panel of presenters, adding energy and opportunities for more connection to the day.

We were honoured to have nasuʔkin Heidi Gravelle of Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it First Nation open the Fall Gathering with a compelling call for everyone to deepen their connection with the land. KCP Board Chair Derek Petersen and KCP Director of Strategic Priorities Juliet Craig then set the stage for the event. 

The first panel of presentations focused on Qukin ʔamakʔis connectivity, and an exploration of how Indigenous knowledge, scientific research, and government frameworks can work together to enhance wildlife stewardship and landscape connectivity. Jason Gravelle with Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it First Nation spoke about bighorn sheep habitat revitalization and the importance of incorporating ecological knowledge into all decisions and actions. Dr. Clayton Lamb spoke about ungulate migrations and road impacts, the Reconnecting the Rockies project, and ways municipalities can manage wildlife attractants. Next, Allie Ferguson with Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it First Nation and Ray Morello with the Ministry of Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, gave a joint presentation on the Elk Valley Cumulative Effects Management Framework. They focused on the provincial and regional conservation values, including Kⱡawⱡa (grizzly bear), westslope cutthroat trout, and aquatic ecosystems. This was followed by a Q&A period with all four presenters from the first panel.

The next set of speakers presented on riparian habitat restoration, and shared collaborative efforts to restore riparian ecosystems and enhance watershed connectivity and fish habitat. Emily de Freitas with Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it First Nation presented on wetland restoration at Shottanana Lake and other locations, highlighting both challenges and successes such as the exciting discovery of breeding western tiger salamanders. Next, Sarah Sra with the Canadian Wildlife Federation shared insights from the Elk River Watershed Connectivity Restoration Planning process, highlighting collaborative approaches to improving fish habitat and fish passage in the region. The final presentation was given by Birch Matkowski with the BC Wildlife Federation, who shared an overview of their beaver-based restoration projects in the region. She highlighted that beavers not only restore ecosystems, but also restore hope. An engaging Q&A session also followed this set of presentations.

We are grateful to all the presenters for sharing their knowledge and preparing these engaging presentations.

The evening banquet dinner at the Fernie Seniors’ Centre created another opportunity for partners to connect, and included an insightful talk and slideshow by Dr. Stewart Rood on “Trees of the People: Cottonwoods around the Crown of the Continent.” Finally, the winners of KCP’s Annual Conservation Leadership Awards were announced. The 2025 recipients were John Bergenske with Wildsight for the East Kootenay, and Gregoire Lamoureux with Slocan River Streamkeepers for the West Kootenay. Congratulations to both!

The Day 2 field tour showcased several conservation properties in the Elk Valley. We began at The Nature Trust of BC’s (NTBC) Big Ranch Conservation Area, where Bill Hanlon of BC Backcountry Hunters & Anglers provided a history of volunteer conservation efforts at the property. Marc Trudeau with the Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resources Society gave an overview of the habitat restoration completed as part of the Big Ranch Ecosystem Enhancement Program. Michelle Daniel with NTBC talked about collaborative stewardship of conservation lands in the Elk Valley, and Tahlia Russell with Elk River Alliance (ERA) told us about the various riparian restoration projects underway at Big Ranch. This was followed by a stop at Annex Park in Fernie to enjoy lunch in the sunshine by the Elk River.

We then drove west to the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s (NCC) Morrisey Meadows conservation property where Richard Klafki with NCC gave us an overview of eight years of land conservation and restoration projects. The site includes roosting habitat for hundreds of little brown and Yuma bats. The discussion continued with Tahlia Russell explaining the details of ERA’s on-site cottonwood restoration projects. Rebecca Stanton with the Wilder Institute also talked about northern leopard frog surveys and habitat restoration considerations. Juliet Craig facilitated a closing circle by the river before we enjoyed a beautiful walk back.

Thank you to everyone who helped make KCP’s 2025 Fall Gathering and Field Tour a success! 

CONFERENCE

FIELD TOUR

Field Tour Stop #1: Big Ranch with Bill Hanlon (BCBHA), Marc Trudeau (RMTNRS), Michell Daniel (NTBC), and Tahlia Russell (ERA).

Field Tour Stop #2: Morrisey Meadows with Richad Klafki (NCC), Tahlia Russell (ERA), and Rebecca Stanton (Wilder Institute).