Plans to acquire 1,000 hectares of land for conservation along the Columbia River near Trail are proceeding. A land management plan for the lands, which will be known as the Fort Shepherd Conservation Area, has been developed and is available online.

Signs to mark the boundary of this important conservation property will be installed in 2008.

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Fort Shepherd Conservation Area Facts

• Approximately 1,000 hectares on the west shore of the Columbia River (near Trail) from below Casino Creek to the U.S. border.
• Includes a significant portion of rare habitat found only in the West Kootenay region of B.C.
• Several species-at-risk and a high diversity of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians use the habitat on these lands.
• The Hudson's Bay Company established a fur trading post at the Fort Shepherd Flats. A fire in 1872 destroyed the fort.
• The Sinixt (interior Salish) people used the Lower Columbia Valley and Fort Shepherd area as a fishing and hunting ground.
• The main purpose of the Conservation Areas is to protect wildlife, habitat and heritage values.