Natural lands in both rural and urban areas filter our water, supply open spaces for wildlife and people, and provide quality of life to communities. The East Kootenay Conservation Program is working with the Regional District of East Kootenay in the Upper Columbia Valley to establish a Local Conservation Fund for the Upper Columbia Valley.  EKCP has proposed 3 themes for the fund:  fish and wildlife habitat conservation, watershed conservation, and open space conservation including family ranches and forested land. Click here for a Question and Answer Summary.

Local governments in Canada and the United States have established funds to support the conservation of watersheds for drinking water, wildlife habitat, open space, recreation and local food production. In 2006, 74% of the 182 conservation fund proposals on U.S. ballots were passed by voters. Our proposal calls on RDEK to establish a dedicated fund for the Upper Columbia Valley of up to $230,000 annually through about $20/parcel property tax. By establishing a local fund, the Columbia Valley will be in an excellent position to leverage this funding commitment to increase conservation investments from private, provincial, national and international sources.

In British Columbia, the Capital Regional District on southern Vancouver Island established a Land Acquisition Fund in 2000. Since the establishment of the fund, CRD Parks has purchased 1,876 hectares of regionally significant greenspace. Likewise, the Greater Vancouver Regional District established the Heritage Parkland Fund in 1994. The Fund is viewed as an effective means of acquiring land for GVRD parks and greenways.

Materials available for distribution:

Poster | Brochure | Rack Card | Proposal