QUOTES:
“We are incredibly grateful for all the generous donations we have received and are humbled by Teck’s contribution in the final stages to bring this over the line. As a result of their support, we are able to protect these vital wetlands, and the species that call it home, for generations to come.”
“This conservation area is teeming with life and the benefits these wetlands and forests provide to our planet are nothing short of awe-inspiring. By protecting the Columbia Lake North-Wetlands, we are able to ensure that the at-risk species within are able to thrive and that its climate benefits continue in perpetuity.”
- Dr. Jasper Lament, CEO of NTBC.
“Teck has set a goal to become a nature positive company by 2030. As part of that commitment, we are working cooperatively to conserve ecologically and culturally important wetlands such as those in the Columbia Valley. We are pleased to support NTBC to help ensure this internationally recognized wetland area is protected for future generations.”
- Jeff Hanman, Senior Vice President, Sustainability and External Affairs, Teck.
FACTS:
- Columbia Lake North – Wetlands is a part of a biogeoclimatic zone of conservation concern and is designated as a Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar) – one of only 37 sites in Canada and three in BC.
- The conservation area is within the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa Nation and the Secwépemc Nation.
- The conservation area is approximately 1.3 km southeast of the Hoodoos Conservation Complex – one of the largest of NTBC’s holdings at nearly 10,000 acres.
- The land contains wetland and riparian ecosystems, which are rare in BC, as well as pockets of dry forest with old-growth characteristics.
- The wetlands reduce and control flooding, replenish groundwater, and create reservoirs for biodiversity and water purification.
- Conservation of freshwater wetlands provides a nature-based climate solution to mitigate climate change. Protecting Canada’s existing carbon stocks is imperative to successful climate action.
- This acquisition increases the resilience of adjacent conservation lands by preserving habitat and migration corridors, including crucial habitats for wildlife, winter range for ungulates, and staging areas for waterfowl.
- The conservation area provides habitat for several species of waterfowl, including the common goldeneye, trumpeter swan, and American wigeon.
- The conservation area will protect at-risk and endangered species such as the provincially Blue-listed great blue heron, the American badger (endangered under SARA), the barn swallow and common nighthawk (both Threatened under SARA), the provincially Red-listed California gull, western painted turtle (Special Concern under SARA), and the bank swallow (threatened under SARA).
- The conservation area contains provincially identified Ungulate Winter Range, which supports moose, elk, mule deer and white-tailed Deer.
- The conservation area is found within an important movement corridor for grizzly bear, badgers, wolverines, and elk.
_ _ _ _
About:
NTBC is a leading non-profit land conservation organization with over 50 years of success protecting and caring for BC’s most critical habitats. Since 1971, NTBC and its partners have acquired more than 185,000 acres of ecologically significant land to save vulnerable wildlife, fish and plants.
Teck
As one of Canada’s leading mining companies, Teck is committed to responsible mining and mineral development with major business units focused on copper, zinc, and steelmaking coal. Copper, zinc and high-quality steelmaking coal are required for the transition to a low-carbon world. Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, Teck’s shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols TECK.A and TECK.B and the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TECK.
