A key land acquisition conserves 45,000 hectares for conservation and biodiversity in the Elk Valley of British Columbia.
ELK VALLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA –Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) congratulates the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) on a key land purchase and is proud to support this effort of securing parcels essential in keeping wildlife in the Y2Y region connected.
This landscape holds critical migration corridors for wolverines, lynx, grizzly bears, wolves, and other wildlife who need large ranges to survive, and strengthens wildlife connectivity in one of B.C.’s most iconic landscapes. Conserving this area helps achieve Canada’s Biodiversity Plan, which includes protecting 30% of the country’s land and waters by the year 2030, and is important for ecological connectivity that provides many benefits to both human infrastructure and nature.
The landmark land acquisition is part of the Kootenay Forest Lands, which conserves 45,000 hectares for conservation, most of which are in the Elk Valley, and are rich in carbon and sustain biodiversity.
“This conservation purchase is a critical piece of maintaining and restoring connectivity for wildlife in southwest British Columbia, and in Ktunaxa Territory, within the Elk Valley. These lands contribute toward the large Y2Y vision of connecting and protecting the wildest large mountain region in the world,” says Dr. Jodi Hilty, president and chief scientist at Y2Y.
“This conservation purchase is a critical piece of maintaining and restoring connectivity for wildlife in southwest British Columbia, and in Ktunaxa Territory, within the Elk Valley. These lands contribute toward the large Y2Y vision of connecting and protecting the wildest large mountain region in the world,” says Dr. Jodi Hilty, president and chief scientist at Y2Y.
“The Kootenay Forest Lands are an example of what’s possible when we lead through collaboration. Projects like this turn ambition into action: protecting nature, supporting communities, and proving that conservation is one of our most powerful climate solutions. It’s proof of what we can accomplish when we come together for nature,” says Catherine Grenier, president and CEO, of the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
The Kootenay Forest Lands include a wide variety of important habitats, from forested ridgetops to an extensive network of streams on the lands that feed the Elk River, contributing to local water quality and flood control. With over 6,000 residents and 400,000 visitors traveling Highway 3 and visiting Fernie who enjoy mountain views and recreate outdoors annually, these lands are important to wildlife and people.
The land was purchased from Doman Building Materials Co., a timber harvesting company. “The Nature Conservancy of Canada will be a unique long-term steward for these very special alpine forest lands. We are pleased to have come to an agreement with them, which ensures these lands will be in great hands for many years to come and for many generations to enjoy,” said Amar S. Doman, Chairman of the Board in a company press release.
Y2Y celebrates NCC’s mission and ongoing commitment to management for wildlife connectivity and biodiversity through restoration and thoughtful recreation planning. This is a profound win for people and nature, not only in the Elk Valley, but across the entire Y2Y region.
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