Protecting wild places, ecosystems, air and water for future generations is central to our way of life in the Kootenays.
The West Kootenays is home to the globally unique inland temperate rainforest. This ecosystem acts as an important carbon sink that keeps massive amounts of carbon in the ground instead of contributing to climate change. An ecosystems-based management approach will help preserve our pristine wilderness and promote healthy communities.
Campaigns
Stop the Logging of Old Growth Forests
BC’s current forest policy and regulatory regime are insufficient to maintain healthy, sustainable forested ecosystems, particularly in the face of climate change and the need to manage for ecosystem resilience. We need a moratorium on logging old growth forests now!
Conservation News
Enjoy the 100 Acre Wood Trail All Year Round!
I had an hour long drive ahead of me to the 100 Acre Wood old growth forest trail and it was the perfect opportunity to listen to the reading of a…
Davis Creek – A true grind leading to a truly spectacular old growth forest
It’s getting later in the hiking season but we were able to sneak in one more old growth forest hike on a brisk, damp and grey fall day. My hiking…
Kokanee Old Growth Forest Trail – An Unprotected Gem
The rain was steady but light as my coworker, Laura, and I drove the 11 kilometre gravel road to the Kokanee Old Growth Forest Trail. The road is…
Message to New NDP Government
The NDP will form a majority government, with Katrine Conroy being re-elected in Kootenay West by a landslide, and Brittny Anderson, NDP has been…
Here’s what we could find in the 2020 BC party platforms regarding stopping the logging of old-growth forests.
The West Kootenay EcoSociety is a non-partisan organization. We are sharing information on issues related to the health, safety and well-being of our…
Forests & Climate Takeaways from UBCM 2020
The scoop from a virtual UBCM In mid-September I, along with my local government colleagues from around the province, concluded the Union of BC…
Glade Watershed – Moving onward with hope
Glade Creek Waterfall Glade Watershed Protection Society Since moving to the community of Glade in 2017, and building our home as the homeowner…
Exporting Our Watersheds
Eagle Creek, Regional District of Central Kootenay. Story by Chris Charlwood One of the main reasons we bought our house 17 years ago…
Ka Papa Cedars – Stretch your legs on this old growth forest trail
A week ago I visited the Ka Papa TrailI. I wanted to continue my exploration of our local Kootenay Old Growth forests before the smoke from the…
B.C. has to implement old growth forest recommendations
The B.C. government released its much anticipated old growth forests report and recommendations from its independent panel on Friday afternoon.…
An Old Growth Forest Overlooking Nelson
On Labour Day this past weekend myself and my friend decided to find the massive cedar trees and all the animals they are home to up in Giveout…
Have you been to Ymir’s Old Growth Forest?
It’s 36 degrees outside and clear skies. My mom is visiting from Vancouver Island. She’s only here for a couple of days and I want to show her the…
Your best forest photo = chance to win a prize!
** Contest closed! Thank you to all that participated and HUGE thank you to our amazing sponsors! Valhalla Pure Outfitters, Kokanee Mountain…
Yay! Feds agree to Assess Teck Coal Mine – healthy and safe people need to come first
Photo & caption from Wildsight The decision was made on August 19th for Teck’s Castle Mine project to require federal review. Thank you,…
Rainwater Harvesting Part 2: Our First 2,000 Litres of Rainwater—Captured!
Rainwater harvesting has always been part of our permaculture homestead plan. But we set it aside while we concentrated on establishing the house and…
Why we’re investing in Rainwater Harvesting: Part 1
The drought and wildfires of 2018 really drove it home for us: We were watering our gardens with propane. This was directly opposed to our dream a…
Not another Jumbo!
You may have heard that there’s a proposal for an all-season luxury resort called Zincton in the Goat Mountain range between New Denver and Kaslo.…
Expert Speaker Series
You're invited to EcoSociety's community expert speaker series during the COVID pandemic. Bring your lunch and learn with us. We will be hosting two…
New report calls for immediate action on old growth forests
My name is Rachel Holt, and I’m an ecologist living in Nelson. For the last 20 years, I have worked primarily in British Columbia, bringing science…
Building resilience at Clutch Farm Salmo
Good morning, West Kootenays! I’m not sure what time you’re reading this, but at the time of writing, it’s morning. We’re six weeks into social…