An environmental organization has successfully brokered a landmark deal with the federal and British Columbia governments, alongside various public and private partners, to safeguard 45,000 hectares of timberland in British Columbia.
The initiative, led by The Nature Conservancy of Canada, marks one of the country’s most significant private land conservation efforts to date. The protected area, known as the Kootenay Forest Lands, is situated in southeastern B.C. and falls within the traditional territories of the Ktunaxa Nation.
Partners involved in this conservation pact include Glencore-subsidiary Elk Valley Resources, a company operating coal mines in the region, with strong endorsement from the Ktunaxa Nation.
Federal Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin emphasized that this conservation undertaking underscores Canada’s dedication to preserving natural habitats and combating greenhouse gas emissions.
The conserved land comprises high elevation grasslands housing a unique and endangered ecosystem, featuring old-growth forests, 930 kilometers of streams, and serving as crucial habitat for diverse wildlife such as grizzly bears, whitebark pine, bull trout, and bighorn sheep.