In 2017 Lower Kootenay Band began planning the restoration of a number of wetland impoundments created in the late 1960’s to mid 1980’s. Due to the amount of information surrounding the project, a way to introduce the restoration work and cover the basics of why became harder to convey. This short film was created to help cover the main aspects of why this type of work is needed and to show the importance of involving indigenous people along with the knowledge and skills they have. Its hoped that this film can also be a primer to spark discussion on many topics from beginning to learn life cycles to more in depth goals and details learned throughout the project so far.
The Lower Kootenay Band’s Yaqan Nukiy Wetlands Restoration project and The Wetlands documentary was supported through the Healthy Watersheds Initiative (HWI). The HWI is a $27-million program, supported by the Province of BC, to stimulate British Columbia’s economic recovery through investments in watershed conservation and restoration. The Real Estate Foundation of BC administered funding for this program and worked with Watersheds BC to support the successful implementation of more than 60 watershed security projects in communities across the province.
CRITICAL IMPORTANCE
Construction update – September 22nd 2023
It’s easy to get caught up in showcasing results of finished wetland areas that are beginning to function on their own again. It can be a jarring experience to see what construction looks like during the process. There is a large amount of visible dirt to see and not much else to indicate the transformations to come. The wetlands will become full of new vegetation and the dirt that has been exposed will spring to life over the next couple of years. I’ve seen this transformation occur and can’t wait to show the differences in the near future. Here is the latest video showing what goes on during the construction phase of a restoration. If you can’t wait to see how it will grow back, please re-watch some previous videos for a glimpse of how this area will change.
Moving on to the next area – August 15th 2023
Just a few days ago on August 14th, 2023, we began work again on the next area ready for wetland restoration. It is exciting to see but bitter sweet as we move on from the first completed area of construction. I know it’s been a few months since the last video, so please continue to look forward to more as we are able to make them!
Burbot Release – May 17th 2023
On May 17th Lower Kootenay Band(LKB) and Kootenai Tribe of Idaho(KTOI) continued efforts to help bring back Burbot in a unique way. A major factor in the growth of Burbot is having floodplain wetlands. KTOI has the same wetland restoration work happening south of the Canada/USA border and LKB has been lucky enough to release Burbot within their wetlands for the third year in a row now, adding to the great effort KTOI has undertaken for many years. I was fortunate to interview Shawn Young the Fish and Wildlife Director for KTOI and share this with you. For Further Information on these efforts please visit http://www.kootenai.org/pages_Government/fish&Wildlife.html
Freshet – May 10th 2023
It’s been an interesting start to the year and half of it is nearly gone. Everything is slowly finding its place and I am able to start getting some of the updated videos together as promised. This one in particular is about some of the benefits of wetlands during freshet. Hope you enjoy and more videos are on the way!