B.C. charity calls on nature lovers to help raise the final $415,000 to protect over 422 acres of wetland, grassland and forest before the end of September.
August 28, East Kootenay, B.C.: The Nature Trust of British Columbia, a leading land conservation charity in B.C., announces that it is raising the final $415,000 to protect 422.5 acres (171 hectares) of ecologically significant land in the East Kootenay region. Located at the confluence of Wolf Creek and the Kootenay River, the area, known as Lower Wolf Creek, is an important wildlife corridor for American badger, grizzly bear, and elk and serves as a valuable stopover for migratory birds, especially waterfowl. It contains diverse ecosystems, including floodplain wetlands, riparian and dry forests, and grasslands.
By securing Lower Wolf Creek, which is adjacent to 437.37 acres (177 hectares) of existing provincial conservation land, The Nature Trust of BC can increase connectivity for wildlife while improving the resiliency of floodplain and benchland ecosystems along the Kootenay River.
“Lower Wolf Creek is a spectacular place that packs a powerful punch: it contains an abundance of ecosystems from wetlands and grasslands to forests. It also delivers nature-based solutions to fight climate change. We have just over a month to protect Lower Wolf Creek and the species that depend on it. The need is now. We need your help to safeguard Lower Wolf Creek forever.” said Dr. Jasper Lament, CEO of The Nature Trust of BC.
Lower Wolf Creek is located within the unceded and traditional territory of the Ktunaxa Nation and is closest to the Ktunaxa community of ʔaq̓am. The conservation area is within the Interior Douglas-fir (IDF) biogeoclimatic zone and potentially contains at least seven at-risk ecological communities, which contribute to ecosystems rich with biodiversity.
Lower Wolf Creek provides essential habitat needs for a wide variety of species. It contains designated Critical Habitat for the Lewis’s woodpecker, which is listed as Threatened under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) as well as for American badger, which is listed as Endangered. Additional federally listed at-risk species in the area include black swift (Endangered), barn swallow and bobolink (both Threatened), grizzly bear, common nighthawk, evening grosbeak, long-billed curlew, western toad, and the western painted turtle (all Special Concern). The area is also within a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) and provides habitat for several migratory waterfowl species, such as common goldeneye, trumpeter swan, cinnamon teal, tundra swan, and bufflehead. Lower Wolf Creek also contains winter range for mule deer, white-tailed deer and elk, while American beaver have also been observed.
Left: Lewis’s woodpecker (Glenn Bartley). Right: American badger (Michel VIARD | Getty Images)
“Lower Wolf Creek has been on our radar for fifteen years given its rich ecology and legacy of land stewardship efforts. Whenever we can secure wildlife habitat along the Kootenay River, it’s a win for conservation in the region. By protecting Lower Wolf Creek, we can contribute to a landscape that is more connected and resilient and offers exciting collaborative opportunities with our partners.” said Chris Bosman, Kootenay Conservation Land Manager of The Nature Trust of BC.
The project is part of a cross-border partnership, thanks to the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, which allows U.S. taxpayers to triple their donation through Canadian, and U.S sources, including the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service.
“The Nature Trust of BC has played a significant role in protecting habitat for migratory birds, including along the Pacific Flyway, which extends through Canada, the U.S., Mexico and South America. This project will help further this mission forward, ensuring that avian populations thrive in perpetuity.” said Dr. Jasper Lament, CEO of The Nature Trust of BC.
The conservation of Lower Wolf Creek is part of The Nature Trust of BC’s unwavering commitment to conserving the most ecologically important and vulnerable habitats in the province with the mission of tackling the most urgent threats to our world today – the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. Many years ago, Ducks Unlimited Canada undertook a wetland creation project with the previous landowners to develop migratory waterfowl habitat. Securing this land ensures that these habitat values remain.
You can support The Nature Trust of BC by donating to our campaign to secure Lower Wolf Creek and ensure it is protected, forever. The deadline for fundraising is the 10th October, 2024.
- Help the Nature Trust of BC raise the final $415,000 needed to protect this important conservation area.
- Find out more about all The Nature Trust’s current projects here.
NOTES:
- The ecosystems are powerful carbon sinks – approximately 90 percent of the carbon stored in grasslands is in its soil and roots and wetlands can store 81 to 216 metric tons of carbon per acre, depending on the location and type of wetland.
ABOUT:
The Nature Trust of British Columbia is a leading non-profit land conservation organization with over 50 years of success protecting and caring for B.C.’s most critical habitats. Since 1971, The Nature Trust of BC and its partners have acquired more than 73,000 hectares (180,000 acres) of ecologically significant land to save vulnerable wildlife, fish and plants.
LEARN MORE:
Visit: www.naturetrust.bc.ca
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IMAGES:
CONTACT:
The Nature Trust of BC
Alicia Collyear, Account Director
604-558-1656
Header image by Julian Zelazny