Description:
This document reports on the activities completed by the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area (CVWMA) in 2024-2025, as part of Kootenay Connect Priority Places. The goal of the first project was to construct an artificial nesting structure for the federally threatened Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) in the Duck Lake Nesting Area using the design previously used by CVWMA in Corn Creek Marsh near CVWMA’s Administration Office building. The main objective was to build a larger nesting structure than the Corn Creek Marsh “Swallow Hotel” and outfit it with 50-60 wooden nest cups to facilitate nesting. The goal the second project was to conduct manual thinning and brushing to reduce encroaching vegetation and ladder fuel (wildfire risk) on dry slope habitat around CVWMA’s Administration Office building with a specific objective to apply the treatment to reduce encroaching vegetation and improve habitat for wildlife over a 10-ha area. Species at risk that should benefit from the treatment are primarily western skink (Plestiodon skiltonianus), northern rubber boa (Charina bottae), and common nighthawk (Chordeiles minor). This is the first year of a two-year project.

Keywords: northern leopard frog; species at risk; wetlands; restoration

Authors:

Organization: Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area

Category: Project Overview

Focal Area: Creston Valley

Resource Type: Report

Year: 2025