Ten conservation projects in the Columbia Valley are moving forward in 2026.
The Kootenay Conservation Program says the projects were recently approved by the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) to receive funding from the Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund (CVLCF) in 2026.
The funding supports projects between Spillimacheen and Canal Flats focused on wildlife habitat, ecosystem restoration and water monitoring.
According to the program, the Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners plans to restore wetland habitat and improve connectivity for wildlife.
The BC Wildlife Federation will continue habitat restoration work in the headwaters of the Kootenay River, including installing beaver dam analogues, planting vegetation and monitoring habitat conditions.
Planning work is also underway to restore two historic beaver complexes near Invermere and Canal Flats.
Wildlife-related initiatives include a bat habitat monitoring project by the Wildlife Conservation Society and a program from the Wild Sheep Society of BC aimed at reducing disease transmission between domestic and wild sheep.
The ʔakisq̓nuk First Nation will conduct work related to the 2021 Kootenay Bighorn Sheep Management Plan, including identifying seasonal ranges and movement corridors and collecting population data.
Meanwhile, Wildsight Invermere will continue monitoring and protecting bank swallow nesting habitat near Lake Windermere and Columbia Lake.
Funding will also support the East Kootenay Invasive Species Council in efforts to contain leafy spurge, an invasive plant that can spread quickly and displace native vegetation.
The Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund was established by the RDEK through a referendum in 2008.
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