Kootenay and Boundary Farm Advisors (KBFA) program provides information and services to strengthen agriculture in our region.
Continue readingAccess Resources for your Farm Business
Develop an Environmental Farm Plan
Farm Plans
Photo credit: Rachael Roussin
Develop an Environmental Farm Plan for no cost
Join this no-cost and confidential program to develop an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP). Farmers who have an Environmental Farm Plan are serious about learning how to reduce agriculture’s impact on the environment. Many Environmental Farm Plan participants enjoy increased efficiency, profitability and new customers as a result of increased environmental sustainability. Completion of the EFP may allow for funding to make improvements on your farm. This is a Provincial program funded and administered by ARDCorp (the BC Agricultural Research & Development Corporation).
Environmental Farm Plan Program
1-866-522-3447
Full service listings for:
Conserve Species at Risk Habitat on your Ranch
Species at Risk
How do I conserve species at risk habitat on my ranch?
Species At Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Land (SARPAL) pilot program is designed to assist cattle producers in adopting management practices that benefit their ranch operation as well as the bird species (until March 31, 2019)
Receive Incentives for Sustainable Farming
Farm Incentives
Would you like to receive money for conserving critical habitat on your farm?
The project helps farmers identify the natural values which can be protected and enhanced, and develops recommendations and plans to preserve them.
Make Your Property FireSmart
Wildfires
Photo: Bruce Blackwell
How do I protect my property from fire if I live in the RDEK?
Individual homeowners and wider communities can take simple steps to reduce the impact of wildfire. The time to reduce the threat of wildfire is now, not when a fire is at your doorstep. Be proactive, be practical, and be FireSmart
Full service listings for:
Get Funding for your Local Conservation Project
Local Conservation
Photo Credit: Larry Halverson
How do I find funding for a local conservation project?
Apply to the RDEK’s Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund to support your conservation initiative in the Columbia Valley area. The Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund provides financial support for projects that work to conserve the Columbia Valley’s natural values, specifically water, fish and wildlife, and open spaces like farmland and grasslands.
The Kootenay Conservation Program, or KCP, works in partnership with the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) to deliver this Fund which is a local government, tax-based service in the Columbia Valley subregion of the RDEK from Canal Flats to Spillimacheen and projects must occur within these areas. Non-profit societies, local governments, and First Nations can apply to this fund and individuals can also apply by partnering with these groups.
Applications are due at the end of October each year and application forms and relevant information can be found on our website.
Kootenay Conservation Program
Juliet Craig
manager@kootenayconservation.ca
Additional Resources
This short video provides an excellent overview of the Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund.
Full service listings for:
Land Donation
Donate land to a land trust
How do I donate my land to conservation?
Some landowners in the region have ecologically significant properties that include these types of habitats and are situated in important wildlife corridors. If you are a landowner with ecologically significant land, you may be interested in conserving its biodiversity and wildlife habitat values for future generations. Land trusts are organizations that acquire properties for conservation. Our role at the Kootenay Conservation Program is to coordinate private land securement amongst these land trusts and key partners and funders so we collectively prioritize the most strategic, important properties for acquisition. If you are a landowner interested in selling or donating your property for conservation, and it has significant ecological values, please feel free to contact the Kootenay Conservation Program.
Kootenay Conservation Program
On behalf of participating land trusts.
manager@kootenayconservation.ca
Additional Resources
This video explains the Kootenay Conservation Program’s role in private land securement for landowners interested in donating land to conservation.
Tax Incentives
Tax Incentives
Receive tax benefits by donating land to a qualified recipient.
Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program provides a way for Canadians with ecologically sensitive land to protect nature and leave a legacy for future generations. Made possible by the terms of the Income Tax Act of Canada, it offers significant tax benefits to landowners who donate land or a partial interest in land to a qualified recipient.
Report Aquatic Invasive Species in the East Kootenay
Aquatic Invasives
How do I protect waters from aquatic invasive species and learn to control them?
Protect our waters from aquatic invasive species. Learn more about how to control them on your property and how to Clean, Drain and Dry all watercraft and equipment. Report using a smartphone app or online form: reportinvasives.ca
Additional Resources
Watch this short video for an excellent overview of the East Kootenay Invasive Species Council.
Full service listings for:
Report Terrestrial Invasive Species in the East Kootenay
Terrestrial Invasives
How do I recognize and report non-native plants?
Report invasive plants in the East Kootenay; learn more about how to control them on our property, and receive support for treatment.
Additional Resources
Watch this short video for an excellent overview of the East Kootenay Invasive Species Council.