Wildsight

Defending wildlife, wild places, and clean water in Canada’s Columbia and Rocky Mountains.

Working locally, regionally and globally to protect biodiversity and encourage sustainable communities in Canada's Columbia and southern Rocky Mountain region. HOUSE RULES
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e following:

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-Factually incorrect information. People who repeatedly contravene our House Rules will be blocked if the behaviour continues after receiving one written warning. The exception to this is anyone posting defamatory or discriminatory content, for which we have zero tolerance.

09/02/2026

Apple Quill Farm in Wycliffe is dedicated to supporting the community with locally grown produce. They've been able to produce a diverse array of crops by specially adapting to the unique climatic conditions presented by the East Kootenays (things like cooler temperatures and short growing seasons).

This month, East Kootenay YCC had the pleasure of helping harvesting Apple Quill's 2026 garlic crop.

The farm uses technologies like in-ground heating systems, thermal curtains and solar power to help extend its growing season — providing the area with sustainably grown produce even into the colder months.

Climate-related food security is increasingly important as we face more and more unpredictable weather patterns. Improving access to locally grown food is a critical step in building more adaptable, resilient communities.

Youth Climate Corps

08/31/2026

“Exactly a year ago I stood in the same spot as today, looking at an ancient forest full of large Cedar and Hemlock, surrounded by dense beds of Devil’s club and ferns, listening to birdsong.

One year ago, we knew what was coming. Carstraps were wrapped around the largest trees to keep them from exploding upon the violent impact of felling.

But it was still a shock. It’s hard to describe the feeling, seeing something so magnificent reduced to mud, stumps and broken brush. Everything felt small and monochromatic, like the vibrancy of thousands of years of life had been sucked from the land.”

-Reanne Harvey, Wildsight’s North Columbia Conservation Coordinator

Old-growth deferrals have temporarily protected some old forests, but have also missed many irreplaceable stands—such as this one north of Revelstoke—due to using dated or unverified data.

Stella Jones, the licensee behind the Redrock clearcut, has adjacent blocks proposed for logging that contain more spectacular old-growth forests. These proposals will see 250 hectares of new clearcutting in provincially defined core Southern Mountain Caribou habitat.

Read more at: https://wildsight.ca/2026/08/14/return-to-redrock/

Photo credits:
1 - Eddie Petryshen (top) (bottom)
2: Eddie Petryshen (left) Matt Timmins (right)
3: Eddie Petryshen
4: Matt Timmins

08/28/2026

Are you passionate about teaching ecological literacy, nature connection, sustainability and environmental stewardship? We’re looking for an environmental educator to join our team to deliver programs in Trail, Castlegar, and Rossland area schools! Deadline to apply is Sept 4th.
Learn more: https://wildsight.ca/2026/08/26/now-hiring-sd20-environmental-educator/

08/27/2026

This issue involves every single British Columbian. Billions of our hard-earned dollars should not have to fund the cleanup of massive corporations’ mines simply because our government let them cut corners.

Cutting oversight processes short only benefits mine owners — who stand to make more money if they have less responsibility to clean up after themselves.

For an industry like mining, which has consistently left gaping holes in landscapes and huge environmental burdens and financial costs for future generations, due diligence should not be negotiable.

Thorough review is one of the few opportunities Canadians have to ensure risks are properly understood before irreversible decisions are made.

Read more at our latest blog: https://wildsight.ca/2026/08/11/bcs-critical-mineral-push-and-the-erosion-of-accountability/

08/26/2026

From hiking and trail running to mountain biking, spending time outdoors is good for us. It connects us to nature, improves our health, and often inspires people to care more deeply about the landscapes around them. As outdoor recreation increases in our mountain communities, an important question arises: how do the animals that live here respond to sharing those same trails?

According to Kootenay-based wildlife biologist Clayton Lamb, there isn’t a simple answer.

Lamb chatted with us about his latest research examining how recreation trails influence the movements and behaviour of large mammals around the trail network near Fernie.

His study reveals that while some species can adapt by changing where or when they are active, others—particularly Elk and Grizzly Bears—tend to avoid heavily used trails altogether.

Read our latest blog to find out more:
https://wildsight.ca/2026/08/14/sharing-recreation-trails-with-wildlife/

08/25/2026

BC’s Ministry of Forests is seeking your feedback! The Ministry is creating a Forest Landscape Plan for the wider Cranbrook area, including Cranbrook, Kimberley, Fernie, Sparwood and Elkford — and wants to hear what values locals in the region prioritize their forests for.

This information will be used to help the planning team understand how people use the forests in the area, and which values, issues or concerns should guide future decisions (priorities like wildlife, ecosystem health, timber harvest, or recreation).

The survey is simple and takes about 3 minutes to complete. Deadline is Sept 25.

Please take the time to speak up for our forests — and share with your family and friends.

Link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=AFLbbw09ikqwNtNoXjWa3LcPjKQ4KdpKi6Y8qeUfvuJUMDVaUlZQOFdSUUw0V1FYUTNYNTZCMTJITi4u

Photo by Bailey Repp

08/24/2026

“This experience was the highlight of my year. This program has taught me so much more than I thought it would, and I’ve made so many memories that I will remember for the rest of my life.” - CRFS student

For 15 days this summer, a group of teens traversed the Columbia River via our Columbia River Field School — paddling, exploring, learning, cooking, laughing, and sleeping beneath the stars.

Along the way, they explored the Columbia Wetlands, learned paddling and wilderness skills, visited hydro dams, dug into the history and complexities of the Columbia River Treaty, and spent countless hours together outside.

Here is a recap of some of their memories — the next best thing to participating in CRFS yourself ;).

08/23/2026

Bummers Flats is a important wetland complex alongisde the Kootenay River near Cranbrook. It is home to a 5-year restoration project which is aimed at restoring the natural functioning of the floodplain to enhance ecosystem health and habitat.

East Kootenay YCC teamed up with NTBC and the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship to work on invasive species management at Bummers Flats last week.

The team focused primarily on removing of Spotted Knapw**d — a noxious w**d with seeds that remain viable in the soil for 5-10 years. Knapw**d plants release a toxic chemical called catechin through their roots into the surrounding soil. This chemical acts as an herbicide that kills surrounding plants, choking out natives and eventually increasing soil erosion.

Bummer's Flats has a population of Wild Licorice, a blue-listed species that is a critcal host plant for the Silver-spotted Skipper butterfly. The butterflies use the leaves of the Wild Licorice both to lay eggs and create shelters.

The removal of these invasive plants is an essential part of restoring the natural functioning of ecosystems at Bummer's Flats — and the protection of the vulnerable native species who live there.

Youth Climate Corps

08/22/2026

People power led to a huge win for the wild this week! Thanks to overwhelming public pushback, the Columbia-Shuswap Regional Board (CSRD) voted to deny Selkirk Tangier’s proposal for a large heli-ski lodge near Mars Creek.

The proposal was for a year-round heli-serviced resort 45 kms north of Revelstoke — which would have greatly increased recreational activity in core habitat for endangered Southern Mountain Caribou.

Selkirk Tangiers submitted a rezoning application that was meant to be given a third hearing on August 20 — but due to near unanimous opposition from the public, the CSRD denied a third hearing at their board meeting yesterday.

An overwhelming number of people wrote in or spoke up against the proposal, with common themes including: concerns about Caribou, wildlife, and environmental impacts; considerable change to the area’s character, loss of ability for locals to utilise the area, lack of alignment with Indigenous values and interests, and helicopter noise and disturbance.

In spite of staff recommendations to proceed, the CSRD listened to its people and stopped this development in its tracks.

Address

#2-495 Wallinger Avenue
Kimberley, BC
V1A1Z6

Website

http://www.wildsight.ca/

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