Kootenay Conservation Program and the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area brought together diverse perspectives from the Creston Valley to discuss priority actions for stewardship of local fish and wildlife, and to identify partnerships moving forward. At the Creston Valley Conservation Action Forum Check-in Meeting in February, over 35 biologists and representatives from various local stewardship organizations, First Nations, and other agencies came together to review the progress being made on the five priority actions identified during a previous regional forum hosted in 2020.

Nine conservation projects were recently approved by the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) to receive funding from the RDCK Local Conservation Fund in 2026. A local government service that creates a dedicated fund for conservation, the RDCK Local Conservation Fund distributes funding to projects in Electoral Areas A, D, E, F and H that are approved by the RDCK Board of Directors each year.

Our local Kootenay Connect Priority Places (KCPP) project is the topic of a Canadian Geographic feature article. With funding provided by Environment and Climate Change Canada and substantial matching funds from partner organizations, more than 60 habitat enhancement projects have been delivered in seven of the 12 originally identified corridors. “I don’t know that there’s any other NGO-driven or -managed initiative on this scale that we’ve ever seen in B.C,” says Mahr.

Program Assistant

(80 day – 12-month contract; Approx. 1 ½ days/week; One year term covering a leave of absence) – Flexible within the Kootenay Region

Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) is a partnership […]

The application period for Local Conservation Fund projects for 2026 projects is now open! Applications are accepted until October 31, and can be submitted by non-profit organizations and Indigenous nations for projects within the participating areas of both the Columbia Valley and the Regional District of Central Kootenay.