Local Conservation Fund
Columbia Valley
The first of its kind in Canada—this fund supports conservation in the Columbia Valley.
We partner with the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) to support funding for projects in rural areas and municipalities in the Columbia Valley, between Spillimacheen and Canal Flats. The purpose of this funding is to support projects that will contribute to conservation of our natural areas. Since 2010, this fund has invested nearly $3.1 million into priority local conservation projects in the Columbia Valley.
To learn more about accomplishments and benefits to date, read our latest summary report.
Current Intake
General 2025 project intake is now closed. Applications for 2026 projects will open in August, 2026. See below for more details.
Are you a land trust applying for a land acquisition or covenant project?
Due to time sensitivity of securement projects, these applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Please contact us for details.
How To Apply
-- INTAKE IS NOW CLOSED --
What Types of Projects Are Funded?
Conservation projects are eligible to receive funding if they are:
Priority is given to projects that demonstrate partnerships with other funders.
Who Can Apply?
Applications are accepted from the following:
Other groups or organizations may partner with one of the qualified groups listed above.
Photo credit: Kendal Benesh
Photo credit: Joel Pelletier
How Are Projects Selected?
A Technical Review Committee reviews project proposals and provides recommendations to the RDEK. The framework for the Technical Review is based on the International Union of the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classification of direct threats. Elected local government officials then make decisions about which projects to fund.
Curious About Previously Funded Projects?
A list of approved projects from 2010 to 2025 is located here.
Learn more details about previous projects by visiting their profiles: a snapshot into the what and why of each.
The Full Story
The Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund was the first of its kind in Canada.
In 2005, we saw an opportunity to establish conservation funds similar to funds being established throughout the United States. At the time, it was unclear whether these types of funds could be established in Canada and, if so, what the available political processes were.
A Vote For Conservation
We conducted polling at two different times during the establishment process, and held several focus groups. This research helped select the fund service area.
The original goal was to have all municipalities and Electoral Areas in the RDEK participate in the service. However, the conservation fund idea only received support from the upper Columbia Valley subregion of the RDEK. Residents wanted the opportunity to vote on the initiative by an assent vote (referendum), which was held in conjunction with a general election in 2008. Property owners in the service area voted in favour to pay a parcel tax of 5¢ per $1,000 of taxable assessed value, up to a maximum of $230,000 annually, which works out to about $20 per parcel.
The Impact
From 2010 to 2024, the Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund approved 129 grants totalling nearly $3.1 million, including ecosystem restoration, invasive species control, lake management, water quality monitoring, and a pilot ecological services project. This local investment has leveraged over $27.5 million in additional grants and in-kind contributions.
The Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund was a 2013 Public Sector Finalist in the Real Estate Foundation of BC Land Awards and the RDEK Columbia Valley Directors won the Species and Ecosystems at Risk Local Government Working Group Peer-Nominated Award for 2017 for their role in the establishment and continuation of the Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund.
