The Columbia Lake focal area was added in Year 5 (2023-24) of Kootenay Connect Priority Places. Consequently, the project results reported for this area are for Year 6 (2024-25).
Year 6 Highlights (2024-25)
Marion Creek Benchlands, Thunder Hill Ranch, Dutch Creek Hoodoos and Columbia Lake Lot 48 Conservation Areas are part of an important complex of conservation and protected lands adjacent to Columbia Lake. These lands have been conserved by the Nature Conservancy of Canda (NCC) and are stewarded for the benefit of the imperiled Interior Douglas-fir (IDF) ecosystem, focal species at risk (SAR), and the maintenance of wildlife movement corridors. The goal of this project is to build from previous restoration work, to enhance dry open forest habitats in the Columbia Lake Focal Area for the benefit of species at risk. In the Columbia Lake Focal Area, it has become clear that one of the most effective ways to improve habitat for these species is to reduce young forest densities and promote the transition to mature open forest stands. Treatment prescriptions for restoring mature open IDF stands include reducing conifer stem density through forest thinning. In addition to forest thinning, this can be achieved through prescribed burning. Work is underway led by Ktunaxa Nation Council and ʔakisq̓nuk to carry out prescribed burning on the east side of Columbia Lake in the coming years. This final report provides an update for work that NCC has been carrying out in the Columbia Lake Focal Area in Year 6, as part of the Kootenay Connect initiative.
