Here are just some of our most notable past projects.
The Habitat Conservation Trust – The True Story of How HCTF Was Created
On a nice spring day in 1979, Premier Bill Bennett passed through Cranbrook and the East Kootenay Wildlife Association got an appointment with the Premier. Carmen Purdy was President of the EKWA between 1971 and 1981.
Present at this evening meeting were most of the Government Ministers of the day. Local conservationists present were Mario Rocca, Vice President EKWA, David “Moke” Melenka, forest industry, Ron Skiber, Guide Outfitters, and Barney Caufield, representing hunters and fishermen.
These local hunters and conservationists started their presentation by suggesting a $0.10 tax per cubic meter on timber harvested, and a $0.10 tax per tonne on coal to support big game species here and across the province. This proposal was rejected out of hand by Minister Tom Waterland stating that Industry had enough taxes already imposed.
When it looked like the meeting was going to be cut short, the group asked that a volunteer payment be placed on hunting/trapping/fishing and guiding licences for big game. The government would collect the money and use it to help manage big game.
Minister Jim Hewitt, Minister James Chabot and other Ministers present felt that this could be a workable system. Minister Waterland was over-ruled, based upon other industries[the cattlemen's horn tax] having a similar set-up. The plan was put forward in the form of an emergency resolution at the BCWF AGM and it passed unanimously.
Minister Rafe Mair advised the EKWA and the BCWF of its formation in the spring of 1980. A charge of $3:00 was added to hunting licences in the fall of 1981. The government advanced $750,000:00 to the Habitat, Conservation Fund in the fall of 1980, this money would be paid back once the fund was operating.
WHAT ABOUT THE HCTF TODAY?
Our money, the surcharges hunters, trappers and guides pay into the HCTF is used for all manner of things the provincial government should be paying for, rather than being focused on where the money was supposed to go – for the benefit of big game.
When governments say they can’t afford the relatively puny amounts needed for proper wildlife management, we must remind them there is money in the HCTF that is being mis-directed to salamanders and bobolinks. This is our money. Our money is not paid for salamanders and other critters. It must be spent on big game!
Fencing Removal Projects
One of the most detrimental structures involving wildlife is fences and old equipment. Wildlife needs no fences. Fencing is seriously detrimental to all wildlife. Several of our acquired properties have needed the removal of cross fencing, barbed wire, page wire and old equipment.
In some instances the post had rotted out and the fencing wire lay hidden on the ground. Many times big game has become ensnared in this hidden wire causing lose of life or severe injury.
Several wire and scrap removal projects have been completes over the years by the volunteers of the KWHF. In one instance we took approximately 25 tons of scrap and wire from one property to recycling.
In 1983 At the Skookumchuck prairie the KWHF picked up spacers and sticks from the plainer mill at Canal Flats. These spacer sticks were used as top/drop railing for 3 km of fencing in the middle of the winter migration corridor. This reduced the fence maintenance by 95% and allowed safe passage of wintering elk and deer.
High fences started showing up in the East Kootenay about a decade ago, paid in part by federal programs and without the knowledge of the sitting provincial MLA at the time. These high fences have seriously disrupted wildlife movement.
While we understand the private property owner's right to fence their land, if the provincial government would recognize their responsibility for wildlife, land owners could be fairly compensated for crop loss and these high fences would be unnecessary. Most ranchers would not have high fences if they were not subsidizing from their pockets, the elk and deer that use their private land and crops.
KWHF strongly believes all ranchers who do not have elk fencing should be compensated for crop damage and ranchers who have felt it necessary to put up high fences should be compensated for the cost of removing the fences and for crop damage when the fences are down.
Bird Projects
In the the 70’s and 80’s the migratory bird population of the Kootenay Columbia was significantly impacted due to hydro electric flooding. To this end several projects were under taken to enhance and increase opportunity for nesting sites. KWHF constructed and put in place wood duck nesting boxes. Mount blue bird nesting boxes and goose platforms in the Kootenay Columbia basin.
Other flying animal projects include bat rearing sites, continued bird box installations as well as landscaping for long billed curlew.
Land for Wildlife Calendar
Over the past twenty years the KWHF has produced a local "Land for Wildlife" Calendar. Local photographers provide the beautiful photos and the calendars are distributed locally, nationally and internationally.
You can order our 2020 Calendar with a check, money order or a cash donation of $25 dollars. Please support our sponsors who support our conservation heritage by buying and hanging our calendar.