Supplementary Materials

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The property was purchased by a partnership led by The Nature Trust of British Columbia (The Nature Trust), Columbia Basin Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (CBFWCP), Habitat Conservation Trust Fund (HCTF), Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), BC Conservation Foundation (BCCF) and Kootenay Wildlife Heritage Fund (KWHF). “Adding the Hofert/Hoodoos property to the list of areas under conservation in B.C. is a phenomenal achievement, and is a credit to the many partners who made it happen,” says Kip Woodward, Nature Trust Chair and CEO. “This is possibly the most valuable wildlife habitat on private land available in the province. Generations of British Columbians, particularly Kootenay residents, as well as neighbouring Albertans, will look back on this acquisition as a major milestone with a wonderful legacy for the province." The Nature Trust has been involved in land conservation in the East Kootenays for more than 25 years and has helped acquire more than 9,000 hectares of critical habitat in this region. The mosaic of forested and non-forested habitats on the Hofert/Hoodoos property are critical for numerous species including deer, elk, badger, Great Blue Heron, and Lewis’s Woodpecker. The high diversity habitat includes extensive grasslands, wetlands, clay gullies, hoodoos, aspen forest and dense young stands of conifers. While some of the property has been logged in the past, the land has largely been retained in its natural state. The purchase of the property will help offset the loss of habitat from the construction of BC Hydro dams and the growing scarcity of lowland wintering habitats in the East Kootenay Trench as a result of the expansion of subdivision, resort and recreational developments on private land. CBFWCP Program Manager Maureen DeHaan says the size and location of the property, combined with its mixture of habitats for a wide range of mammals and birds, creates a unique opportunity to manage habitat in this area at an ecosystem level. "The Hofert/Hoodoos property ranges from wetlands along the Columbia River to grasslands to mid-elevation forests inhabited by migratory waterfowl and land birds as well as deer, elk, badger and other mammals," explains DeHaan. "The property supports at least five red and blue-listed animals and provides opportunities to enhance the habitat for ungulates and to become a recovery area for Sharp-tailed Grouse, a blue-listed species recently extirpated from the East Kootenay." CBFWCP is a joint initiative between BC Hydro and the Government of British Columbia to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife populations in the Columbia Basin affected by the construction of BC Hydro dams. CBFWCP acquires land to ensure key parcels of wildlife habitat that represent critical habitat impacted by hydroelectric developments are secured and maintained for future wildlife benefits. HCTF is a funding partner on the land purchase because of the property's value as winter range for ungulates. "B.C. anglers, hunters, trappers and guides are major contributors to the enhancement and acquisition of fish and wildlife habitat through their contributions to the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund," says HCTF Manager Rod Silver. "Both HCTF and East Kootenay outdoor groups recognize the importance of this property for its long-term conservation values and we are pleased to be able to play a role in its acquisition." Funding from Ducks Unlimited will go toward purchasing the 124 ha of wetlands on the property that are connected to the Columbia River Wetlands Wildlife Management Area and part of the longest wetland in North America. "The 160-kilometre long Columbia River wetlands provides crucial migratory bird habitat along the Pacific Flyway for a variety of species including the blue-listed Great Blue Heron," says DUC Conservation Programs Manager Brad Arner. "The acquisition of the Hofert/Hoodoos land will increase the amount of this habitat protected under the Columbia River Wetlands Wildlife Management Area." The Nature Trust negotiated the purchase on behalf of the partners. The contributions to date of $1.44 million include $1,000,000 from CBFWCP, $300,000 from HCTF, $110,000 from DUC, $25,000 from BCCF and $5,000 from KWHF. Commenting on the significant funding from CBFWCP, BC Hydro's Director of Operations for Generation Gary Rodford says "BC Hydro recognizes that the construction of dams and creation of reservoirs in the Columbia Basin for power and flood control eliminated important valley bottom habitat. Our partnership in this purchase through the Compensation Program demonstrates BC Hydro's ongoing commitment to operating in an environmentally and socially responsible manner." Woodward notes that the Hofert/Hoodoos property is the sixth land acquisition by The Nature Trust and CBFWCP in the Columbia Basin since the two organizations entered into a land acquisition and management agreement several years ago. "The Columbia Basin Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program is a natural partner for The Nature Trust in the region," says Woodward. "We have similar goals and offer each other complementary expertise and resources in the acquisition of land and the ongoing management of acquired property to benefit wildlife." The purchase price will be paid over three years to allow the partners time to raise the full $3.5 million. "We're very optimistic that we will achieve our $2 million fundraising goal for the Hofert/Hoodoos property because once people see the importance, diversity and richness of this property, it really speaks for itself,” comments The Nature Trust's Habitat Ecologist Marian Adair. Under this landmark agreement, the Hofert/Hoodoos property will be leased to the B.C. Ministry of Water, Land & Air Protection (WLAP) and a co-operative property management plan will be developed by the Ministry, The Nature Trust and CBFWCP. Wayne Stetski, co-chair of the CBFWCP Steering Committee and WLAP Environmental Stewardship regional manager says "securing and managing this important grassland habitat for conservation is a significant step toward ensuring the future of this endangered ecosystem as well as the plants and animals that live there. We are very pleased to be a partner in this project." Groups and individuals interested in making a tax deductible contribution to the Hofert/Hoodoos purchase are encouraged to contact Marian Adair at 1-866-288-7878.

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For more information, please contact: Barry Bartlett Public Communications Co-ordinator Columbia Basin Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (250) 352-6874 Email: barry.bartlett@bchydro.bc.ca website: www.cbfishwildlife.org or Jim Hope BC Conservation Land Manager The Nature Trust of B.C. (604) 924-9771 Toll free: 1 866 288-7878 Email: jhope@naturetrust.bc.ca website www.naturetrust.bc.ca

Hofert/HoodoosProperty Backgrounder

The 4037 ha Hofert property is located on the west side of the Rocky Mountain Trench in the Upper Columbia Valley and is situated opposite the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, between the north end of Columbia Lake and the south end of Windermere Lake. The southern and western boundaries of the property follow close to Dutch and Brewer Creeks. The eastern boundary follows the CPR railway right-of-way and the Columbia River marshes. Private land abuts the property to the north. The property is located in the East Kootenay Trench Ecosection and includes three biogeoclimatic subzones: two Interior Douglas-Fir and one Montane Spruce. This ecosection supports one of the largest and most diverse assemblages of wildlife found anywhere in the province. The diversity on this property is not only a reflection of the biogeoclimatic subzones represented, but its size, the varied topography, and range of elevations. The terrain is predominantly gentle, interspersed with silty gullies on the lower slopes, rising to moderately steep forested slopes and ridges at mid-slope locations and becoming gentle once again on the upper slopes. Aspects are primarily easterly, with some warm south and west aspects in the southeast portion of the property. In addition to the 124 ha of wetlands on the property, which adjoin the Columbia River wetlands along the entire easterly boundary of the property, are several wetland depressions in the central portion of the property. The main wetland compartments are contiguous with the Columbia Marshes Wildlife Management Area and Columbia Lake Indian Reserve 3 along the eastern boundary. The property is bisected, generally from north to south, by the CPR Railway right-of-way, the paved Westside Road, a BC Hydro Transmission Line right-of-way and Hawke Road.

General Habitat Types & Descriptions

Habitat diversity on the Hofert property is high. Based on Forest Cover Data, eight general habitat types are present on the property; four non-forested habitats (grassland/shrub, wetland, clay gully, hoodoo) and four forested types (Aspen, Douglas-fir, Western Larch, Lodgepole Pine).

Grassland/Shrub/Rock (2217 ha)

Over 50% of the Hofert property is comprised of this outstandingly important wildlife habitat type. Comprised of bunchgrass, shrub (saskatoon, willow, shepherdia, rabbit brush) and small clumps of Douglas-fir, these sites support grassland dependent bird species, such as Vesper Sparrow, mammals such as the red-listed (endangered) badger and winter forage for significant numbers of elk and deer. The capability of this habitat as winter range could be significantly enhanced through alteration of the current cattle grazing regime as well as periodic prescribed burning. Improved range conditions could also allow for the re-establishment of the blue-listed (vulnerable) Sharp-tailed Grouse that has recently become extirpated from the East Kootenay Trench. The upland rocky sections of this area likely support Rubber Boa (Blue List), a little known secretive reptile.

Wetlands (124 ha)

Found almost exclusively along the eastern edge of the property, these productive wetlands are contiguous with the Columbia River Marshes. Great Blue Herons (Blue List) feed in the wetlands along with over 100 other species of birds as well as beaver and muskrat. Garter snakes and amphibians are common here as well. Local conservation groups have installed goose nesting platforms to enhance nesting success.

Clay Gulley (153 ha)

Approximately 15 distinct gulley systems link the grasslands to the wetlands along the eastern portion of the property. The clay gullies are often sparsely vegetated with June grass and the occasional Douglas-fir snag, providing critical nesting for Lewis’s Woodpecker (Blue List). Moister portions of the gulley complexes support shrub cover, providing suitable winter habitat for grouse and deer.

Hoodoo (7 ha)

This unique habitat is found along the southeast boundary of the property. Famous mostly for their post card appeal, the Hoodoos are potential nest sites for a colony of White-throated Swifts (Blue List) which occur on the Hoodoos just outside the property boundary.

Aspen Forest (22 ha)

Small pockets of aspen forest are found in the moist portions of gullies within the property. Supporting a well-developed shrub layer and the occasional paper birch, this habitat provides important winter habitat for grouse, forage for white tailed deer, and nesting habitat for a variety of songbirds. The interspersion of aspen stands amongst the grassland portions of the property enhance the value of the area as potential re-establishment sites for Sharp-tailed Grouse (Blue list).

Douglas-fir (753 ha); Western Larch (397 ha); Lodgepole Pine (292 ha)

The majority of this habitat is comprised of dense young stands of Douglas-fir/Western Larch/Lodgepole Pine along the southern boundary of the property and at mid slope in the central and northern sections. Much of this forested habitat has re-established following a wildfire in 1971. Mature Douglas-fir and Larch stands exist on ridge tops and along part of the southern boundary. Merchantable timber has been removed in accessible Douglas-fir sites throughout the property within the past five years. Areas with widely spaced mature fir provide excellent winter range conditions for elk. Snags are used by kestrels, red-tailed hawks and Lewis’s Woodpecker (Blue List). The young stands will require silvicultural treatment (burning, thinning) to improve wildlife values.

About the Partners

The Nature Trust of British Columbia

The Nature Trust of British Columbia is one of the oldest and largest land conservation organizations in B.C. Established in 1971, the organization is devoted to conserving British Columbia’s natural legacy through protection of critical habitats and other areas of ecological significance. The Nature Trust has partnered with other conservation groups to acquire more than 9,000 hectares of critical habitat in the Columbia Basin. Contact: Marian Adair, Habitat Ecologist; Phone (604) 924-9771

Columbia Basin Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program

The Columbia Basin Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program is a joint initiative between BC Hydro and the Government of B.C. to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife populations in the Columbia Basin affected by the construction of BC Hydro dams. Since 1996, CBFWCP has invested over $25 million in over 430 fish and wildlife projects with 636 partners and has partnered in the purchase of 7,500 ha in the region. CBFWCP is funded $3.2 million annually in perpetuity by BC Hydro to deliver fish and wildlife projects. Contact: Barry Bartlett, Public Communications Co-ordinator; Phone (250) 352-6874

Habitat Conservation Trust Fund

The Habitat Conservation Trust Fund was created in 1996 by an amendment to the Wildlife Act. It succeeded The Habitat Conservation Fund which operated from 1981-82 to 1995-96. Hunters, anglers, trappers and guide-outfitters contribute to the Trust Funds’ enhancement and education projects through licence surcharges. The province contributes to the acquisition of land through an annual allocation from the Crown Land Account. Voluntary contributions, proceeds from the sale of education materials, and court awards provide additional revenue. Contact: Rod Silver, Manager; Phone (250) 356-6124

Ducks Unlimited Canada

Founded in 1938, Ducks Unlimited Canada is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of wetlands for the benefit of North America's waterfowl, wildlife and people. To date, DUC has secured and protected over 18 million acres of habitat, established nearly 6 thousand projects, and is formally recognized as one of Canada's most trusted and respected conservation organizations. Contact: Brad Arner, Manager of Conservation Programs; Phone (250) 374-8307

BC Conservation Foundation - Land For Wildlife Fund

The BC Conservation Foundation is dedicated to the conservation and stewardship of British Columbia’s ecosystems and species and to make a positive contribution to the conservation of BC’s fish, wildlife and habitat. Land for Wildlife Fund is an initiative of the BC Conservation Foundation. It is a mechanism designed to pool resources toward the purchase and preservation of natural habitats. Contact: Deborah Gibson, Executive Director; Phone (604) 576-1433

Kootenay Wildlife Heritage Fund

The Kootenay Wildlife Heritage Fund was incorporated in 1980 under the Societies Act of B.C.. Within its constitution is a strong provision for the acquisition and enhancement of wildlife habitat. The fund is autonomous and managed by volunteers. To date, the KWHF has enhanced some 32,000 acres of wildlife habitat, participated in several wildlife translocations, conducted a feeding program for elk, deer and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep during the devastating winter of 1996-97 and partnered in the acquisition of some 27,000 acres of wildlife habitat in the Kootenays. Contact: Carmen Purdy; President; Phone (250) 489-8043

Angus Glass
Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program
103-333 Victoria St. Nelson, BC V1L 4K3 Canada
Tel (250) 352-6874 Fax (250) 352-6178
angus.glass@bchydro.com