HAVEN FOR ECOLOGY SOCIETY

Jaŝ Chinook Salmon Nature Sanctuary (Chilcotin BC): Stewardship efforts to protect wildlife habitat including grizzly bears wild horses migratory birds and at-risk species. Focusing on preserving a vital creek for Chinook salmon spawning including fencing to protect spawning beds from cattle. Continued stewardship on a parcel of land located on the shoreline of Slocan Lake within the municipal boundaries of Silverton BC (Colleen's Beach Park). Snk'mip Marsh Sanctuary (Slocan Valley BC): Continued stewardship work and a multi-year intensive wetland restoration at Snk'mip Marsh. Thus creating vital habitat for rare species like amphibians and migratory birds. The sanctuary hosts educational programs for schools and the public fostering environmental awareness. Snk'mip Dig Deeper Documentary: In partnership with the Autonomous Sinixt we co-produced Snk'mip Dig Deeper a documentary highlighting the above wetland restoration and the Foundation's reconciliation work with Indigenous peoples. Valhalla Mile Property (Valhalla Provincial Park BC): We provide stewardship for the Valhalla Mile property now part of Valhalla Provincial Park ensuring its ecological integrity as part of regional conservation efforts. Land Conservation Program: We continue to review private lands for conservation acquisition and responds to donation inquiries expanding its network of protected areas. Indigenous Collaborations: Collaborating with the Sinixt Xeni Gwet'in and other Indigenous communities we integrate traditional ecological knowledge into conservation practices and support reconciliation. Communicate with donors funders and local communities through articles blogs social media and emails to keep stakeholders informed. Provide our nature sanctuaries as host locations for education programs for schools conservation organizations visits by community members and for traditional or ceremonial use by First Peoples. While keeping ecological protection and enhancement as our priority we work to make our nature sanctuaries safe and welcoming natural areas for humans to interact with nature. The day-to-day work of the Valhalla Foundation for Ecology is done mainly by a dedicated core of volunteers including its directors and the Executive Director who is a full-time volunteer. We use contractors for certain specialized tasks but for the most part the Valhalla Foundation for Ecology is volunteer-run and donor-funded.