The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) recently approved over $8 million in funding for over 167 fish and wildlife conservation projects across British Columbia. Roughly 1.2 million will be going to projects in the Kootenay region.

Several of these projects are done in partnership with the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC).

“Together, we have improved wildlife habitat on numerous successful projects all around British Columbia. And we will continue to endeavour to assist wildlife to thrive and flourish for generations to come,” Executive Director of the FESBC Steve Kozuki says.

Some of the upcoming projects in the Kootenays include enhancement of the elk winter range in the Upper Kicking Horse Canyon, informing policy and creating guidelines for recreation and industrial activities near wolverine denning areas, and a River Guardian program to maintain or improve angling conditions and native sportfish populations in eight Kootenay region watersheds.

The CEO of the HCTF Dan Buffet says when it comes to conservation, the Kootenays has “people that care that are doing the work and biodiversity. It’s something special for sure.”

Buffett joined CJLY to discuss the history of the HCTF, the recent funding announcement and the upcoming projects in the Kootenays: