Arrow Slocan Sub-Region

• Restoration and enhancement of historic wetlands
  • Priority: low elevation historic wetlands.
• Restoration and enhancement of native fish and fish habitat
  • Priority species: bull trout, rainbow trout, kokanee, white sturgeon.
  • Priority habitat: low gradient historic valley bottom tributaries.

• Protection, enhancement and identification of corridors and linkage areas
  • Priority: Bonanza Biodiversity corridor, east-west corridors for large mammals (grizzly bears, ungulates, wolverines).
• Restoration of fire-maintained ecosystems in dry interior forest types
• Protection and enhancement of old growth forests
• Protection and enhancement of critical habitat for species of interest and conservation concern
  • Priority species: mountain caribou, grizzly bear, white sturgeon, bats, western toad, painted turtle, Lewis’ woodpecker.

• Protection and enhancement of cultural values
  • Priority: traditional use and traditional knowledge.

• Reducing, mitigating, and/or managing ecosystem threats
  • Wildfire and fire suppression
  • Climate change
  • Invasive species – terrestrial and aquatic
  • Shoreline/foreshore development
  • Cumulative effects (dams, forestry, mining, rural/urban development, agriculture)
  • Road density
  • Recreation and access management

South-facing slopes in the Winlaw Creek and Trozzo Creek watersheds are home to dry, forest habitat that is rare in the West Kootenay. By introducing controlled burns, the Slocan Integral Forestry Cooperative (SIFCo) will improve over 870 hectares of habitat for animals that rely on these areas, from elk and cougar to alligator lizards. The three-year project also involves enhancing rainbow and bull trout habitat on the lower reaches of Winlaw Creek.

“The dry slopes are a rare habitat type in the Slocan Valley and are part of a regionally significant habitat corridor,” said Stephan Martineau, Manager, SIFCo. “This work will improve general ecosystem health and resiliency. It will also provide a source of dry-site plant and animal species that can move into transitioning ecosystems, since dry areas are expected to expand as climate change progresses.”

The Bonanza Biodiversity Corridor, which runs from Summit Lake to Slocan Lake, is host to the highest concentration of wetlands in the Slocan Lake watershed and supports a wide range of species and habitats, including several identified Species at Risk. Over the next three years, the Slocan Lake Stewardship Society (SLSS) will restore and enhance three key stretches of marshes, fens and swamps along Bonanza Creek to improve water connectivity and the overall health of sensitive aquatic and terrestrial habitats.

“The wetlands targeted in this project are vitally important to the corridor,” said Wendy King, Director, SLSS. “These enhancements will be specifically designed to improve the overall hydrology, thereby providing long-term ecological benefits to Bonanza Creek, its tributaries and its wetlands.”

The Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA), in partnership with the Penticton Indian Band, will be undertaking a four-year project to enhance ki?lawna? (grizzly bear) habitat on approximately 400 hectares west of Arrow Lakes Reservoir. ONA biologists and technical staff will work along side Sylix communities to support a collaboration between First Nations, local industry, provincial representatives and grizzly bear and wildfire experts that will enhance key ki?lawna? habitat through innovative and improved forestry practices through activities like prescribed burns, brushing and selective harvesting. They’ll also explore managing roads that access sensitive areas, where possible.

“The goal of this project is to increase the availability of important habitat and enhance the value of capable but currently unsuitable habitat,” said Cailyn Glasser, Wildlife Biologist, ONA.