Collaborative Restoration Grounded in Indigenous and Ecological Stewardship
Near the headwaters of the Columbia River, the east shore of Columbia Lake holds both rich ecological diversity and deep cultural meaning. Locally stewarded by the ʔakisq̓nuk First Nation and the Shuswap Band, the area is part of a landscape where both the Ktunaxa and Shuswap Band have longstanding cultural, spiritual and historical connections. For generations, it has supported seasonal use, salmon harvesting and ceremonial gatherings.
Once targeted for development—including a marina, paved roads and a golf course—the Columbia Lake – Lot 48 Conservation Area, part of a 7,600-hectare network of conservation lands, has instead become a model for collaborative restoration.
The 127-hectare parcel was the final privately held piece on the lake’s eastern shore. The area lies along a historic travel and trading route known locally as the Spirit Trail. Its protection was the result of nearly two decades of advocacy, land-use planning and negotiation. Conservation was made possible by a broad partnership involving Columbia Basin Trust, First Nations, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), the Province of BC, the Regional District of East Kootenay and others.
Funding included $2 million from Teck (now Elk Valley Resources), $1 million from the Trust and more than $700,000 from the Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund—a unique, locally supported fund drawn from a parcel tax across the region. In total, the land purchase cost $7.2 million, with additional contributions from provincial, federal and non-profit partners.
“The conservation of Columbia Lake – Lot 48 was supported by the local community, the Ktunaxa Nation, the Shuswap Band and the regional district,” says Richard Klafki, NCC’s Program Director for the Canadian Rockies region. “It was the last undeveloped piece on the eastern shore, and everyone involved knew how important it was to protect it.”
Restoration work began shortly after the land was secured in 2012. Dense forests were targeted for ecological recovery, invasive species removal began, and motorized access was limited in collaboration with BC Parks and the Ktunaxa Nation. These treatments are restoring the open grassland ecosystem and improving the wildlife corridor for species such as Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, elk and migratory birds.
“Since we have been stewarding this land, we have seen the natural resilience of the land start to rebound. One great sign of this change has been the return of the American badger, one of the rare endangered species in southeast BC, thanks to a resurgence of ground squirrels, the badgers’ favourite food,” says Klafki.
The area also supports at-risk bats and Lewis’s woodpeckers, aided by the installation of roost trees wrapped in artificial bark. Community and cultural values guide priorities for kinq̓uq̓anki, which is the Ktunaxa name for the stewardship project that focuses on ecological protection and restoration on the east side of Columbia Lake. The land contains archaeological sites, and public access remains open for walking and biking, but with increased efforts to prevent unauthorized trail-building and protect sensitive habitat.
“In the last five years, I’ve noticed people have especially recognized the importance of respecting nature,” says Klafki. A key element of the project is the return of fire to the landscape. Members of ʔakisq̓nuk First Nation and partners have undertaken forest thinning to reduce wildfire risk and prepare the area for prescribed burns scheduled for 2026. Led by the Ktunaxa Nation, these will help restore ecological balance and cultural function after a century of fire suppression. For Alfred Joseph, an Elder of ʔakisq̓nuk First Nation, the east side of Columbia Lake is part of the community’s identity.
“I remember when you could gallop a horse through these lands. It’s time to restore that balance, for the sake of the grasslands and future generations.” What began as a response to development pressure has evolved into a long-term vision for Indigenous-led conservation. Guided by the Ktunaxa Nation and supported by a broad network of regional and conservation partners, the restoration on the east side of Columbia Lake reflects how cultural renewal and ecological resilience can move forward together.
