Katie Reid has been with the East Kootenay Invasive Species Council (EKISC) since 2013 when she started as the Field Operations Manager before transitioning to her current role as the Program Director. Her journey into the realm of invasive species management has been marked by her commitment to environmental stewardship and a passion for conserving the unique ecosystems of the East Kootenay region.
Katie has a Bachelor of Natural Resource Science from Thompson Rivers University, where she learned the skills and knowledge necessary for her role in invasive species management. She is a member of the British Columbia Institute of Agrology, committing to upholding professional standards in agriculture and related disciplines.
Within EKISC, Katie is actively involved in numerous projects that extend across a diverse range of community groups, non-profit organizations, conservation groups and government ministries. This broad engagement reflects her integrated approach to invasive species management, recognizing the interconnectedness of various land managers and the need for collaborative efforts to address the complex challenges posed by invasive species.
Her work with EKISC, a non-profit organization, provides her with a unique opportunity to collaborate with individuals who share a common land-based value. Through her interactions with different people involved in wildlife conservation, ranching, hunting and guide outfitting, forestry, gardening, recreation, and more, she has a crucial role in fostering a collective effort to enhance the East Kootenay landscape.
Invasive species are the second greatest threat to global biodiversity, following habitat loss. This underscores the urgency and significance of the work being done by EKISC. Her role as Program Director allows her to contribute to a larger mission of mitigating the impact of invasive species on diverse values held by the community. The collaborative approach taken by Katie and the EKISC team, working alongside other land managers, reflects a shared commitment to improving the landscape for the benefit of all.
EKISC collaborates with over 30 different partners, mitigating the impacts of invasive species in the East Kootenay. One particular project Katie and the EKISC team are currently immersed in is the Galton Range Invasive Species Management Plan. This project is particularly crucial due to the multitude of habitat enhancement projects unfolding on this mountain range. Land managers, conservation groups and organizations such as Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it, Ministry of Forests, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Canfor, Wild Sheep Society of BC, and BC Timber Sales (BCTS), are collectively striving to enhance the high value habitat for Bighorn Sheep and other ungulate species. Despite the positive momentum generated by these efforts, the area faces the threat of invasive plant establishment and spread, jeopardizing the success of these habitat enhancement actions. If invasive species become established in these high value habitat areas, they will diminish critical forage quality, undermining the intended benefits of these conservation projects. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, timely coordination of invasive species management is imperative, especially with the concurrent increase in forestry activity in the region. The implementation of collaborative integrated invasive species management is necessary to reduce the spread of invasives by strategically targeting known vectors of spread and quickly responding to new infestations. This proactive approach protects the high-value habitat, supports the maintenance of biodiversity, and strengthens the overall resilience of the ecosystem.
Katie values a balance between her professional endeavors and her personal life. Outside the realm of invasive species management, she enjoys the dynamic community of Fernie, where she resides with her husband and two young daughters. Embracing the natural surroundings, they immerse themselves in all the recreational opportunities that Fernie has to offer. From hiking to skiing, their adventures also include fishing in the Elk River and biking the scenic trails. Katie’s commitment not only extends to environmental stewardship but also to a fulfilling and active family life in the beautiful East Kootenay.
Photos from left to right: Katie fishing and hiking. Bottom row left to right: the EKISC team clipping, pulling and weed wacking first year burdock growing by Sheep Mountain in the South County, the EKISC team pulling blueweed in the spring around McIvers Lake which is within an active range unit in the South Country.
The photo on the right side was taken in the Purcell Conservancy Wilderness Park, at Dewar Hot Springs, where there is an intense Orange Hawkweed infestation. It captures the appreciation and responsibility that Katie and her colleague have for the environment and their gratitude to be working in the field that lets them be part of such amazing projects all throughout the East Kootenay. In this photo Katie and her colleague are feeling awestruck by the panoramic landscape of grand proportions – a sanctuary where grizzly bears and mountain goats reside, largely untouched by human presence. Katie elaborates: “The proximity and threat of the Orange Hawkweed is a bitter reminder of human intervention, and the impacts of an invasive species invasion would be detrimental to this critical habitat. Orange Hawkweed likely hitchhiked its way to the hot spring courtesy of human activity, and it is our responsibility to ensure it does not impact this pristine habitat.”
