Based on input from Basin residents, one of our strategic priorities is to support healthy, diverse and functioning ecosystems. Our Ecosystem Enhancement Program will have a meaningful and measurable impact in supporting and strengthening ecosystem health in the Basin.
The goal is to help maintain and improve ecological health and native biodiversity in a variety of ecosystems, such as wetlands, fish habitat, forests and grasslands. The program will run for five years with a budget of $10 million.
The Trust will identify projects focused on enhancement, restoration and conservation by seeking input from community groups, First Nations representatives and government experts, and reviewing existing regional plans and research. The Trust will work with organizations to initiate and/or support the selected projects over the next five years, focusing on two sub-regions during each year of the program. Trust will be seeking input to identify project opportunities in the following order:
Spring 2018: Kootenay Lake and Southern Rocky Mountain Trench
Fall 2018: Arrow/Slocan and Columbia Valley
2019: Lower Columbia and Elk Valley
2020: North Columbia and Upper Columbia
2021: Review of additional project opportunities across the Basin
View the Ecosystem Enhancement Program Sub-region Map.
Read about approved projects for the Kootenay Lake and Southern Rocky Mountain Trench sub-regions here.
Read about approved projects for the Arrow/Slocan and Columbia Valley sub-regions here.
The Trust also helps Basin residents and groups address environmental priorities through programs like Environment Grants, the Grassland and Rangeland Enhancement Program, the Invasive Species Partnership and the Land Conservation and Stewardship Initiative. Learn more at ourtrust.org/environment.