Almost 8,000 hectares of land was added to the Darkwoods Conservation Area in the South Selkirk Mountains.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) made the announcement today that the area of the Next Creek watershed is now fully protected. The organization had been working towards acquiring the land for years, describing it as “filling the “hole” that has been in the centre of the conservation area” since 2008 when it was first established.
The NCC has raised close to $20-million to acquire the area. Contributions came from many, including the provincial ($7.65-million) and federal ($7-million) governments, the Columbia Basin Trust, Fortis BC and the Regional District of Central Kootenay, as well as individual donations.
Darkwoods is located along Kootenay Lake between Nelson and Creston, and provides essential habitat for close to 40 confirmed species at risk, according to the NCC. It’s the largest private land conservation project in Canada.
