Columbia Basin Trust Environmental Initiative Funding Announcements

Just announced are some of the local projects awarded funding from the Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) through its Environmental Initiatives Program (EIP)

To learn more about CBT programs and initiatives, visit http://www.cbt.org/  or call 1.800.505.8998.

Columbia Basin Trust recognizes that a healthy environment is the foundation for all social and economic activities in the Columbia River Basin. CBT's Environment Program is helping to create a legacy of social, economic and environmental well-being by working towards a long-term vision for the future of the Basin and supporting residents' efforts to ensure:

· A healthy environment which will create a foundation for well-being; and

· Commitment to long-term and enduring stewardship of the Basin's natural biodiversity, and sufficient knowledge and ability to take action to meet environmental challenges.

Receiving funding in our local area are:

The Nature Trust of BC - O'Grady Conservation Property Invasive Plant Management ($5,000) - The Nature Trust of BC (TNT) received funding to do ecosystem stewardship and conservation work on the O’Grady Conservation Property, located near Bull River in the East Kootenay, as per the established Management Plan.

Tobacco Plains Indian Band - Bringing Water to the Painted Turtle ($5,000) - The Tobacco Plains Indian Ban received funding to work with a consultant to determine if a plan to divert water to a lake near Grasmere, on Band land, is viable, and will help address an issue faced by the local Western Painted Turtle, a blue-listed species in the Rocky Mountain portion of the Columbia Basin.

The East Kootenay Invasive Plant Council - Private Land Invasive Plant Assistance Program ($6,000) – The East Kootenay Invasive Plant Committee received funding to pilot a program on dealing with invasive plants on private property. It is anticipated this program will help to create a more effective and efficient invasive plant program throughout the region.

Penny Ohanjanian Consulting Biologists - Northern Leopard Frogs ($7,400) - Penny Ohanjanian Consulting Biologists will determine if the Northern Leopard frogs (a red-listed species) that have been reintroduced into their historic range near the Fort Steele/Bummers Flats area north of Cranbrook, have dispersed into nearby marshes and begun the process of re-establishing themselves into the ecosystem.

Clear Sky Meditation and Study Center - Grasslands Reclamation Education Initiative ($9,080) - The Clear Sky Meditation and Study Center received funding to develop a grassland reclamation demonstration area near Bull River, east of Cranbrook. The intent is to provide an area where private landowners can learn about improving local stewardship of native grasslands and build capacity for grassland reclamation in the region.

Jim Smith Lake Community Association – Jim Smith Lake Sensitive Habitat Inventory Mapping ($12,450) - The Jim Smith Lake Community Association received funding for a Sensitive Habitat Inventory Mapping project on Jim Smith Lake, west of Cranbrook. This is phase two of a project that will result in Foreshore Management Guidelines for the lake.

St. Mary Valley Rural Residents Association - St. Mary Lake Management Plan - Part 1 ($13,320) – The St. Mary Valley Rural Residents Association received funding to achieve the first stage of the St. Mary Lake Management Plan by completing a Foreshore Inventory Mapping Project.

Mainstreams Environmental Society - Water Education Where it Counts ($13,898) - The Mainstreams Environmental Society received funding for a water education program in the East Kootenay. This three-part program consists of an interactive stream trailer, field-based creek science and a stewardship report on the outcomes of the 2005 Kinsmen Park Restoration. This program will serve as a reference for other water education programs.

Hawkins Creek Stewardship Committee - Hawkins/Moyie Fish Inventory ($14,780) - The Hawkins Creek Stewardship Committee received funding to expand on its work of investigating the distribution and rate of hybridization between native Westslope Cutthroat Trout and non-native introduced rainbow trout in the greater Moyie River Watershed. The investigation will also be expanded to include bull trout as well as non-salmonids, to reflect a whole-ecosystem approach to restoration.

Wildsight-Elk Valley Branch - Elk River Alliance (ERA) ($15,000) - The Elk River Alliance (ERA) will develop recommendations that intend to coordinate access to information about the Elk River watershed, restore and enhance aquatic ecosystems, increase community water literacy, promote participation in sustainable water planning and development and promote the principles of water smart conservation strategies in communities. Laing Farms - Laing Farms Sand Creek Restoration ($17,550) - Laing Farms received funding to build in-stream structures along Sand Creek, near Jaffray, which will assist in protecting the stream banks from erosion, increase channel sediment conveyance and restore fish habitat for the indigenous fish of Sand Creek (particularly for the provincial Blue Listed, Westslope Cutthroat trout and Bull trout).

Wildsight Kimberley/Cranbrook - Water and Plant Wise Communities ($18,000) - Wildsight received funding to deliver a water education project that will raise awareness of ways communities can conserve and restore aquatic and riparian ecosystem functioning through wise water use, adaptations to lawn and garden practices and the management of invasive plants. The intent is to focus on reducing the amount of herbicides in ecosystems.

Tobacco Plains Indian Band - Koocanusa Reservoir Winter Creel Survey ($18,600) - The Tobacco Plains Indian Band received funding to conduct a Koocanusa Reservoir Winter Creel Survey. This project will collect, collate fishery so that it is sustainable. The survey will also include recording of other fish species caught.