The lake’s authentic nature instills a sense of “place” for its residents. Salient values include sustaining ecosystem integrity, clean water, natural fish and wildlife habitat, and promoting human well-being through sustainable livelihoods and preserving the lake’s culture and spiritual essence.
Kootenay Lake is a productive ecosystem supporting abundant fish and wildlife with land and water uses that support clean water and long-term sustainable communities. Residents, First Nations, and other stakeholders have a strong sense of place and engage actively in lake stewardship and governance.
Our mission is to improve the health and stewardship of Kootenay Lake through monitoring, habitat restoration, capacity building, and the empowerment of local communities, First Nations, and stakeholders.
Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society provides a platform for a broad array of stakeholders to collaboratively learn about the lake and its many values, identify potential threats to the lake’s social and ecological values, conduct scientific inquiry into these issues, and propose solutions. We encourage a broader and deeper understanding the lake’s ecosystems and strive to build cooperative relationships among Kootenay Lake communities.
We provide a central location for lakeside communities to share information, collaborate, and learn about Kootenay Lake. FOKLSS holds workshops, monitors indicators of lake health, and assists community members in developing and implementing ideas to improve or protect the lake. Through our website, we provide an online gathering place for people concerned about the lake to learn more, connect with each other, and share knowledge.
FOKLSS also helps residents to participate in planning initiatives to improve lake management. An inter-governmental group called the Kootenay Lake Partnership (KLP) has developed a Shoreline Guidance Document with the purpose of protecting shoreline resources. This document was developed using rigorous scientific research and incorporates both environmental and First Nations cultural values to form a baseline for improved decision-making. In the long term, FOKLSS will work with the KLP and lake-side communities to develop a lake management plan to harmonize regulation, coordinate enforcement, and improve protection of the lake.
Every lakeside community member has a role to play in protecting the lake’s immense value. If you care about Kootenay Lake and want to preserve its natural values for generations to come, you can check out the Take Part tab on this website, look for events and actions taking place over the next few months or you can contact us with specific questions about the program.
We are currently at a time of transition, exploring what we want to do next, where we should focus and how to raise funds. We are welcoming volunteers who would like to help with this process.
