The Wildlife Interpretation Centre, operated under the umbrella of the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area (CVWMA), is beginning a process to examine options for its future operations. In support of this process, the CVWMA Interpretive Centre Committee has been formed. The goal of the committee is to develop a range of options for consideration regarding the future of the centre, its physical infrastructure and associated programs.
The committee was struck under the auspices of the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK). It consists of BC Hydro, College of the Rockies, Columbia Basin Trust, Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce, Creston Valley Forest Corporation, Creston Valley Rod and Gun Club, Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area, Creston Valley Wildlife Management Authority, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Fortis BC, Lower Kootenay Band, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, the office of the Nelson-Creston MLA Michelle Mungall, RDCK areas A, B and C directors, School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake), Town of Creston and Wildsight.
The committee will work in two phases. First, it will produce a request for proposals for consultants to explore a set of options involving a transformation of the centre. The second phase of the committee’s responsibilities will be to oversee the selection and deliverables of the consultants. The work of the consultants will involve an extensive community engagement process.
The committee focuses on the wildlife centre and its programs. The future management of the wildlife management area itself is the subject of a separate legislative process being co-ordinated by the provincial government. In June 2012, the Forests Ministry announced a co-operative agreement between the province and Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), a private conservation agency, to jointly operate, restore, improve and manage the CVWMA for the next 30 years.
The first meeting of the committee was held Jan. 21. The committee is committed to undertaking a transparent and inclusive process, and members of the public are welcome to approach the committee chair Larry Binks at 250-428-9577 if they have any questions. For more information, contact committee co-ordinator Christy Anderson at 250-687-1501.
—CVWMA INTERPRETIVE CENTRE COMMITTEE