BC to extend protected habitat for at-risk species
theweathernetwork.com
Thursday, November 15, 2018, 4:35 PM - Government officals have announced a $14.6 million investment that will go towards an 8,000-hectare expansion of a conservation space in B.C.'s southeast mountain.
The Darkwoods Conservation area, located between Nelson and Creston along Kootenay Lake, is home to 40 at-risk animal and plant species.
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"It's the world's only inland temperate rainforest," Federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna told The Weather Network.
She says the protected area is about twice the size of Banff National Park, but contained a "little donut" hole that was unprotected. The additional funding will aim to correct this.
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Nature Conservancy of Canada spokesperson Andrew Holland says the funds will help ensure at-risk species in the area recieve required protections. Currently, animals in the unprotected section of Darkwoods are vulnerable to industrial and recreational activity.
The conservancy hopes to have 1 million hectares in B.C. protected by 2020.
