The Nature Trust of British Columbia’s Hoodoo Conservation Property

The Hoodoo Conservation Property, situated between the communities of Dutch Creek and Invermere, was purchased in 2003 by The Nature Trust of BC (TNT) with financial assistance from a number of local, regional and provincial funding partners. At 4,037 ha in size, the Hoodoo Conservation Property is one of the largest undeveloped private land parcels in the East Kootenay.

In 2010, The Nature Trust of BC initiated the first phase of the Hoodoo Conservation Property Access Management Project with financial assistance provided by the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund (CVLCF).

“This fencing, gating and appropriate access use information project was a planned response to motorized recreational vehicle abuses that are threatening biodiversity values on the Hoodoo Conservation Property,” said Rob Neil, The Nature Trust of B.C.’s Kootenay Conservation Land Manager. “Our primary concern is that unregulated off-road use will accelerate the extent of detrimental impacts on sensitive grassland habitats and impose unacceptable levels of stress on grassland dependent species such as ground nesting birds and wintering ungulates.”

Neil, who credits support from the Kootenay Conservation Program and the RDEK, commented, “in terms of effectively controlling unauthorized motor vehicle related activities and informing the public about the value and sensitivity of grassland ecosystems, this project has been a land management success story.”

Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) Manager Dave Hillary emphasizes that “the valley has received enormous benefit from The Nature Trust’s conservation work and presence.”

In 2013, the last phase of this project was completed. The next phase will involve support through provincial legislation that will enable staff from The Nature Trust to protect and maintain the biodiversity values inherent to the property.

With the success of this project, The Nature Trust is now working to improve grassland habitat through the implementation of thinning and prescribed burning projects.

Neil said he is pleased that “we are slowly reaching our goals and objectives and we are maximizing the biodiversity benefits on a small portion of the landscape.”

He adds: “the fencing component of the access management program has the added benefits of providing work to local contractors and will protect our investment in the habitat restoration work done on the property over the years. We really appreciate the work done by these contractors and by local conservation groups such as the Lake Windermere Rod and Gun Club.”

The Hoodoos are available for non-motorized recreational activities and Neil encourages people to come and enjoy this fantastic conservation property.

Lead photo: Rob Neil (right) explains the educational aspects of the project to KCP Program Coordinator Dave Hillary, and KCP Program Assistant, Duncan Whittick.

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