March 20th marked the first day of spring in 2026, the spring equinox! If you have been out and about lately, you probably have noticed the migratory birds moving back into the Creston Valley, or making a pit stop to rest before carrying along on their migration. Along with the birds, many other wildlife species are waking up and becoming more active at this time of the year. It is a good time to reflect on best practices so all the animal species including humans can enjoy beautiful areas in the longer brighter days of spring, safely and happily. Wildlife that are waking up from winter hibernation or emerging from the slower months of winter are in an energy deficit, and in turn, can be more sensitive to disturbance and stress. Giving more distance and having patience during wildlife viewing or encounters of any kind is a good practice, including keeping all pets on leash.
Bears are also waking up now, and we have heard of some sightings in the Creston Valley area. As always, remember to be aware of your surroundings using your eyes and ears while exploring outside, and remember to bring your bear spray and know how to use it. An upcoming local event in town might be of interest to some readers - a Bear Fair is being held here in the Creston Valley through the Trails for Creston Valley Society, on April 25, 2026. Check out their website for the details.
CVWMA Board of Directors newest addition to the flock - Norman Allard Jr.
The CVWMA was the first major collaboration between the Governments of Canada and British Columbia in the field of wildlife management. In turn, the CVWMA has a designated Authority (Board of Directors) currently consisting of a federal representative, a provincial representative, and a public member who report to the provincial Minister of Water Land and Resource Stewardship.
The CVWMA is happy to welcome Norman Allard Jr. to the Authority, as the new public member! We are looking forward to working with Norm and collaborating on new ideas and projects. We are also extending a big thank you to Robin Louie, who just stepped down, for participating on the Authority for the past two years!
Norm Allard Jr. is a wetland and stream restoration practitioner based in the Creston Valley region of British Columbia. Through his work with the yaqan nukiy Lower Kootenay Band, he has contributed to large-scale restoration of floodplain and wetland ecosystems, helping to reconnect rivers to their natural processes and improve habitat for fish and wildlife.
With a background in GIS and land-use planning, Norm combines technical expertise with hands-on restoration experience. His work focuses on re-establishing natural hydrology, removing outdated infrastructure, and supporting long-term ecosystem resilience.
His expertise in large-scale watershed restoration, combined with his commitment to collaborative stewardship and Indigenous knowledge systems, brings valuable perspective to governance and long-term conservation planning.
Norm enjoys videography creating music and photography. He spends much of his time in the field and values the practical understanding that comes from working directly in complex, changing landscapes. There is a great feeling of awe when seeing many layers merge together seamlessly, from indigenous knowledge to modern science and nature's own teachings.
Norm is the Community Planner for Lower Kootenay Band and owner of Reconnect Restoration and Consulting, and Reconnection Media
Playing God or Just Lending a Hand?
A brief overview and discussion of management activities at the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area
Article By: Jacob Ewashen, CVWMA Habitat and Operations Technician
A member of the public recently asked me: What exactly do you “manage” at the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area? Let’s talk a bit about that.
A lot of our work at the CVWMA is not always management, as such. Rather it’s better described as monitoring. Waterfowl, marsh birds, songbirds, reptiles and bat species, as well as Kokanee salmon and the Northern leopard frog are just some of the species, we keep tabs on. We also construct and maintain structures for species of bats and swallows, for example, that depend on artificial structures for habitat.
On the more management side of our undertakings are our efforts to limit the spread of human-introduced invasive species, such as yellow flag iris and the American bullfrog, which could have potentially devastating impacts on the CVWMA’s ecosystems if left unchecked. Wildfire mitigation efforts, such as those conducted in Six Mile Slough and Creston Mountain over the past year, are another example of management activities.
One paramount feature that we regularly, actively manage: water levels. Water levels are managed not only for wildlife habitat values, but also for flood protection. Since most of the water control infrastructure we operate controls outflow mainly, we do our best to let just the right amount of water out of our ponds ahead of spring freshet, such that there is enough space in the ponds for them to take in water during freshet without flooding, yet not so much that the ponds will dry up in late summer.
Once, while I was going about my business on the trails of Corn Creek Marsh, I was asked by a regular trail user “Are you managing nature, or are you interfering with it?”
It’s a fair question. There are times where in my role of habitat management, I do find myself wondering: Would it be better if we just left nature to its own devices? What if what we are doing is just making things worse? After all, life on Earth has been around for billions of years and was doing just fine before humans came along. Does it really need us to manage it?
I must conclude that the answer, to a degree, is yes. It’s an undeniable fact that humans have altered Earth’s ecosystems in a significant way. The Creston Valley, once a part of the Kootenay River floodplain, which saw water level fluctuations of upwards of 6 meters annually, creating a vast network of complex wetland habitat is a prime example. Diking and damming that began approximately 150 years ago has changed the valley bottom dramatically. The CVWMA exists because concerns arose about these drastic changes and what it meant for the wildlife, particularly waterfowl, that depended on the Creston Valley for habitat. I believe that, because ecosystems like those of the Creston Valley have been so heavily modified and fragmented already, that they do require some degree of management to conserve the species that rely on it for habitat. Does it feel like interfering at times? Yes. I think, for now, however, it’s undoubtedly necessary.
Giving the Northern Leopard Frogs a helping hand
A reminder to the public: Springtime in the Creston Valley means the rare and federally endangered northern leopard frogs will soon be moving from their overwintering grounds to their breeding sites over the dike at Duck Lake. To give them the best chances to get to the breeding sites unharmed, the dike at the south end of Duck Lake, from the north end of Channel Road, will be closed to motorized vehicle traffic between March 15th and April 30th, as in previous years.
The bi-annual motorized access restriction is an approved provincial regulation and is necessary to help recover the last population of endangered northern leopard frog in British Columbia. The regulation can be viewed in the 2024-2026 Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis for Region 4, Management Unit 4-6.
Please contact the regional offices for any additional questions:
Cranbrook: (250) 489-8540
Nelson: (250) 354-6333
Pedestrians (all dogs must be on leash), cyclists, and hikers are welcome to use the dike during this period! Gates will be re-opened as of May 1st, 2026
Leash up, Pick up and Pack it out
Birds are now on the hunt for nesting sites, or have already chosen, so please give them space and respect, and always keep your dog leashed for the safety of our feathered friends. Dogs are permitted to be within the CVWMA area, but only if kept on a leash. Dogs are perceived as predators (just like coyotes) and trigger stress in animals. Also, keep in mind that the Avian flu can be present in the Creston Valley and avoiding contact with birds or other wildlife will reduce the risk of disease transmission.
Keeping dogs in control within this area also respects other users on the land, as some folks and other dogs may not want your dog to be in their personal space for many reasons. Please do your part to respect animals and each other out on the trails around the valley, now and throughout the year! Pick up after yourself and your pets as well, please leave wild and urban spaces cleaner than when you arrived!
CVWMA is a federally registered Charity.Donate Now,though our website, and an official receipt will be issued to you for tax purposes.
THANK YOU to all who support CVWMA, and believing in our mission to manage the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area for conservation and natural species diversity through active habitat and wildlife management, research and education!
