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Robson Valley wetland/riparian land acquisition
KLTF has successfully acquired a 72 acre (29 ha) property for land conservation in the Robson Valley. The parcel of land, situated in Tête Jaune Cache, BC is located on the unceded traditional territories of many Indigenous Peoples including the Secwépemc, Lheidli T’enneh, and Rocky Mountain Cree. It has important ecological significance as a wetlands/riparian area that is part of the natural flood plain of the Fraser River: “…gravel-bed river floodplains are the primary arena where interactions take place among aquatic, avian, terrestrial species from microbes to grizzly bears and provide essential connectivity as corridors for movement…” -F. Richard Hauer et al. (Sciences Advances June 2016) This land is home to a wide variety of plant and animal communities and provides connectivity for species such as the grizzly bear, lynx and many migratory birds.Two species at risk, the western toad (special concern) and the great blue heron (special concern) have been observed on the land.
Environment and Climate Change Canada established wetlands as a high priority conservation habitat. Wetlands improve climate change resilience, acting as carbon sinks and providing services such as natural flood mitigation, preventing erosion, recharging ground water acquifers, and potential to slow wildfire progression.
This conservation project was made possible by the late Ann and Frank Kiyooka, whose vision for their land inspired the project; the Kiyooka family who donated the equity of the property, the Government of Canada land acquisition grant through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program and Land Trust Conservation Program, and individual private donations.
The Government of Canada’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP) is a unique partnership that supports the creation of protected areas through the acquisition of private land and private interest in land. To date, the Government of Canada has invested more than $440 million in the Program, which has been matched with more than $870 million in contributions raised by Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada, and the country’s land trust community, leading to the protection and conservation of more than 700, 000 hectares of ecologically sensitive lands.
To our donors and our sponsors, THANK YOU!
Bird survey
Land Assessment
On a sunny calm day in early June 2022, KLTF hosted its first ever bird survey on the property in Tête Jaune Cache. With the generous help of local bird enthusiast, Elsie Stanley, and the handy Merlin phone app, we identified over 45 bird species in one morning. It was very exciting to listen to the bird song and to occasionally catch a glimpse of several species.
In late May 2022, Registered Professional Biologist Duncan McColl, conducted a land assessment of the Tête Jaune property. In his report, he indicated a lot of evidence of wildlife activity, from ungulates, bears to birds. To read the full report, click on the link below.
the natural beauty of this wetland/riparian area in photos
video survey of Tête Jaune property
