Elk Valley Resources (EVR) and the Fernie Rod and Gun Club today announced a $250,000 contribution from EVR to support the Wigwam Flats Ecosystem Enhancement Project (WFEEP).
The WFEEP is designed to restore and enhance 250 hectares of grassland and open forest ecosystems within the Wigwam Flats/Mount Broadwood area, located south of Fernie, B.C.
“EVR is proud to support the Fernie Rod and Gun Club’s work to restore important wildlife habitat and improve biodiversity in the region,” said Mike Carrucan, CEO of EVR. “Our company is committed to creating lasting benefits in the Elk Valley, which includes supporting environmental stewardship initiatives like this collaborative project.”
The project’s goal is to improve critical habitat for species including bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, and moose. Activities will include planting native seed mixes to support wildlife foraging and reducing tree density to improve sightlines. These efforts are designed to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem function, with progress monitored regularly.
“We’re grateful for EVR’s longstanding support and commitment to projects that enhance habitat in the Elk Valley,” said Kevin Marasco, President of the Fernie Rod and Gun Club. “Wigwam Flats is a valued place for wildlife, community members, and First Nations Peoples. By restoring and enhancing open forest and grasslands, we can ensure this special place thrives for future generations.”
In addition to EVR and the Fernie Rod and Gun Club, WFEEP partners include the Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi ‘it First Nation, Province of B.C., Columbia Basin Trust, The Nature Trust of BC, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resource Society, the East Kootenay Invasive Species Council, and Biodiversity Pathways.
“We commend the Fernie Rod and Gun Club for leading this important restoration work, and we applaud Elk Valley Resources’ strong support for conservation in the region,” said Richard Klafki, Program Director with the Nature Conservancy of Canada. “Working together on large-scale land management projects like the WFEEP is one of the most effective ways we can build a thriving, resilient future for people, wildlife, and nature.”
The WFEEP is a five-year initiative that continues the Fernie Rod and Gun Club’s longstanding restoration efforts on Wigwam Flats, building on its 125-year legacy of wildlife and habitat conservation in the region.
