Kootenay Connect: Columbia Valley Wetlands

The 180-km long Columbia Wetlands within the Rocky Mountain Trench extends from Donald at the north end to Canal Flats in the south.

It is one of the largest intact wetland complexes in Canada, and an international Ramsar Site recognized by the United Nations. Much of the Columbia Wetlands is encompassed within the Columbia Wetlands Wildlife Management Area with a mix of private and federal lands managed as National Wildlife Areas. This wetland separates the Rocky and Purcell mountains across much of the northern portion of the valley from the US border up through Golden, BC.

Most groups engaged in conserving and managing biodiversity and habitat connectivity in the Columbia Wetlands are partners of the Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners. This non-profit partnership includes over 30 organizations dedicated to working with all levels of government, community groups, and the public to implement a shared stewardship model for the management of the upper Columbia River and adjacent Columbia Wetlands. For Kootenay Connect, the lead organization in this corridor is the Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners.